Unique Traditions in Indonesia Welcoming the Islamic New Year
The Islamic New Year, also known as Arabic New Year or Hijri New Year is observed on the first day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar. The first Islamic year begins in 622 AD with the emigration of Prophet Muhammad from Makkah to Madinah, known as the Hijra. The Islamic calendar is calculated according to the lunar calendar. A day in the Islamic calendar is defined as beginning at sunset. Since the Islamic lunar year is eleven to twelve days shorter than the solar Gregorian year, the Islamic New Year does not come on the same day of the Gregorian calendar every year.
When is the Islamic New Year in 2017?
1 Muharram 1439 Hijri is likely to fall on either Thursday or Friday, 21-22 September 2017. Please note that this date is only an estimate.
Islamic New Year Traditions of Javanese Indonesia
"Satu Suro" (One Suro) is the first day in the Javanese calendar where it coincides with 1 Muharram in the Hijri calendar. Originally, Javanese calendar is calculated based on the solar calendar. Things changed during the reign of Sultan Agung, King of Mataram (1613-1645). He decided to change Javanese calendar to follow Hijri calendar starting from 1 Muharram 1043 H (8 July 1633).
Javanese has traditions on “Malam 1 Suro” which is commemorated at night after sunset on the day before 1 Suro (malam = night). Malam 1 Suro is considered sacred especially for the Javanese people. One of the common belief on Malam 1 Suro is people are forbidden to go anywhere except to pray or perform other worship. Below are the common rituals and traditions performed on Malam 1 Suro:
1. Kirab Kebo Bule in Surakarta
Kirab Kebo Bule is a tradition performed by Kasunanan Keraton Surakarta to welcome the coming of Suro or Muharram month. In this carnival, a herd of buffalo (kebo) that is believed to be sacred, named Kebo Bule Kyai Slamet, will be paraded around the city. Kebo Bule Kyai Slamet itself is not just any buffalo. In the book of Babad Solo by Raden Mas Said, the ancestor kebo bule is a beloved animal of Sultan Paku Buwono II.
The kirab (parade) usually took place at midnight, and is very anticipated by the people of Surakarta/Solo and surrounding areas. They are willing to wait for hours on the road just to watch the Kebo Bule herd. The most interesting and unique part of this tradition is when people fight each other trying to touch the body of kebo bule and scramble to get their dungs. They believe the buffalo’s dung is sacred and can bring blessings.
2. Mubeng Beteng in Yogyakarta Palace
Hundreds of people crowded the Yogyakarta Palace to prepare for the Tapa Bisu and Mubeng Beteng ritual. The event is regularly held in Sultan Palace on the night of 1 Sura every year. The crowd begin to gather at 21:30 pm and they will wait until midnight to start Tapa Bisu and Mubeng Beteng.
“Tapa Bisu” means contemplate in silent, while “Mubeng Beteng” means walking around the four corners of the fortress of Yogyakarta Palace. Silence begins at the beginning of departure until the end of the event.
Mubeng Beteng is seen as a way of doing self-reflection and self-evaluation. Silent in Mubeng Beteng rituals meant that those who contemplate can focus on praying to God. If people are allowed to converse during Mubeng Beteng, then the focus of reflection will not be achieved.
It takes about 1 hour 30 minutes to encircle the four corners of Yogyakarta Palace fortress which is four kilometers away. No wonder if some participants failed because of fatigue and had to be treated by paramedics in ambulance.
3. Ngumbah Keris Tradition
Ngumbah Keris or washing the keris is a sacred Javanese tradition, usually done only once in a year, i.e. in the month of Suro. The month of Suro is chosen because it is considered the sacred month, and is believed to increase the unseen power of a keris.
4. Kungkum
Kungkum is a tradition of meditating while submerged in water, usually in river or lake. This is done in order for self-introspection. There are some people who prefer to be alone in a quiet, cool place like the river to start thinking about what mistakes they have made so far, and how to get on with life.
5. Lek-lekan
Lek-lekan is a tradition of not sleeping through the night. This is done by many Javanese residing in Solo, Semarang, Yogyakarta or surrounding areas that still believe in such traditions. Lek-lekan usually done by gathering at the front porch of one’s house with their neighbors, while praying together, conversing and eating traditional meals.
6. Ruwatan
Ruwatan in its true sense means the cleansing of all wrongs and sins committed. This ritual derived from the ancient culture of ancient Javanese era which is the ritual of purifying the soul.
Ruwatan usually held massively by holding wayang kulit show, whose story has been arranged specifically for the implementation of ruwat, such as Baratayuda, Sudamala, and Kunjarakarma. Then drinking or being springkled by water from a particular well that has been blessed with a prayer by a kyai. Lastly, cut small amount of people’s hair and ceremoniously throw the hair into the river.
Islamic New Year Traditions in other parts of Indonesia
Muslims in other parts of Indonesia also celebrate the Islamic New Year with certain traditions and rituals that differ from those of Javanese people. Below are some of the examples.
1. Tabot Festival in Bengkulu
Tabot Festival is an annual festival held by the people of Bengkulu City in order to commemorate the death of Hassan and Hussain, grandsons of Prophet Muhammad SAW in Karbala (Iraq). The name Tabot originates from the Arabic word of At-Taubat, which means as much as 'miniature of the real story to remember Hassan and Hussain'. This celebration has been done since 1685 by Syeh Burhanuddin known as Imam Senggolo. The people of Bengkulu city believe that if they do not celebrate this event there will be disaster or tragedy befall them. The festival is held for ten days, from 1st to 10th Muharram.
The first stage is “Mengambik Tanah” (taking land). The land taken at this stage comes from a sacred place containing magical elements, such as the Keramat Tapak Padri located near Marlborough Fortress and Kerut Anggut, which is located in the Tebek Pasar public cemetery. This land will be wrapped in white shroud and shaped like a human doll.
The second stage is “Duduk Penja” (washing the fingers). Penja is an object made of brass, silver, or copper in the shape of a human hand, complete with his fingers. Penja is considered as sacred objects containing magical elements, must be washed with lime water every year.
The third stage is “Meradai” (raised funds) conducted by Jola which is the person in charge of taking funds for community activities, usually consisting of children aged 10-12 years. The fourth stage is “Manjara” is a visit or visit another group to play dal (musical instrument like a beduk, made of wood with a hole in the middle, and covered with ox skin) which was done for two days.
The fifth stage is “Arak Penja”, where penja is placed inside Tabot and paraded on the main streets of Bengkulu City. Tabot is a miniature of multi-storey building like a minaret, in various sizes and adorned with layers of colorful paper. The sixth stage is a parading the penja. They also added a white turban on top of the Tabot.
The seventh stage is “Gam” (calm/mourning), where no one is not allowed to conduct any activities. Gam comes from the word 'ghum' which means closed or obstructed, held every dated 9 Muharram from 07:00 to 16:00 pm. At that time, all activities related to the Tabot ceremony should not be performed.
The eighth stage is “Arak Gendang”, begins with the release of Tabot taking a predetermined route. The whole group will meet and form a grand parade. The event was enlivened by the presence of groups of entertainers and community supporters of Tabot group.
The last stage of the Tabot ceremonies is called “Tabot Tebuang” which was held on the 10th of Muharram. All Tabot gathered and lined up in Tapak Paderi then all Tabot groups will make a field trip to Padang Jati and end at Karabela public grave complex.
2. Ngadulag in Sukabumi, West Java
Sukabumi have different ways to celebrate Islamic New Year. Under the coordination of Majlis Ulama Indonesia (MUI) Sukabumi, people make a beduk competition, or commonly called ngadulag. Ngadulag is actually not only held on the first day of Muharram, but also common during the month of Ramadan.
3. Torch parade in Tahtul Yaman village, Jambi
Thousands of students and residents of Jambi City gather on the parade welcoming the Islamic New Year on the first day of Muharram. The night before, at the start of 1 Muharram according to lunar-based Islamic calendar, there are hundreds of citizens performed a torch parade around the city of Jambi.
The parade not only presents a variety of attractions such as drum bands and theater, a number of interfaith communities also join in the parade. Like the church youth, also Buddhists and Confucians who perform barongsai attraction during the parade.
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