Nindy Rosalina Ekaputri, a student in the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture program and a recipient of a scholarship from the Arsari Djojohadikusumo Foundation (YAD), had the opportunity to participate in the Kirab Pusaka Dalem Mangkunegaran procession as part of the celebration of the Javanese New Year, 1 Sura Be 1960, which carried the theme “SuraMulihPulih.” This participation was a valuable experience for Nindy, allowing her to gain firsthand insight into Javanese cultural practices that she had previously studied through lectures and academic research.

Prior to the procession, participants took part in a dress rehearsal held the day before. During this activity, participants received instructions regarding the rules of the procession, their positions in the lineup, and the route to be taken. The entire formation of participants was determined by the Mangkunegaran authorities to maintain order and harmony during the procession.

On the day of the event, the series of activities began with a communal meal, the nyuwun palilah dalem ritual, and a joint prayer. Next, the sacred heirlooms were brought out from Dalem Ageng and handed over to G.P.H. Paundrakarna Jiwo Suryonegoro, the Cucuk Lampah Kirab, the procession leader who guided the parade and ensured the events proceeded in accordance with established traditions. The procession was then officially launched by K.G.P.A.A. Mangkoenagoro X at 8:30 p.m. WIB.

During the procession, six royal heirlooms are paraded around the central area of Surakarta. Throughout the procession, all participants observe a vow of silence and walk barefoot. For Nindy, this silence was not merely a rule to be followed, but rather a space for the most honest inner dialogue. This process invited the procession participants to deeply reflect on the concepts of atita (letting go of the past), atiki (being fully present in the moment), and anagata (embracing the future), which form the philosophical core of the 1 Sura commemoration at Mangkunegaran. The serene atmosphere enveloping the procession is truly in harmony with the theme “SuraMulihPulih”, a call to reflect on oneself and prepare for a better life.

Public enthusiasm was palpable along the entire parade route. Thousands of residents crowded various spots to witness the procession, which unfolded in an orderly and solemn manner. In addition to watching the parade, the public was also eagerly awaiting the water used to wash the heirlooms. In Javanese tradition, this water is often regarded as a symbol of blessings and good fortune for those who receive it.

After the procession concluded, the series of activities continued with the distribution of udik-udik to the community by K.G.P.A.A. Mangkoenagoro X, G.P.H. Paundrakarna Jiwo Suryonegoro, and G.R.Aj. Ancillasura Marina Sudjiwo. Parade participants also received servings of black and white sticky rice, which symbolize balance and harmony in life.

For Nindy, participating as a heirloom escort was an experience that enriched her understanding of Javanese culture. This experience demonstrated that cultural preservation is not only achieved through classroom learning but also through direct involvement in traditions that remain alive within the community. Through the participation of the younger generation, cultural heritage such as the Dalem Mangkunegaran Sacred Relics Procession is expected to be preserved and passed down to future generations.

Author: Nindy Rosalina Ekaputri
Editors : Nindy Rosalina Ekaputri & Haryo Untoro

List of Figures

Vita. (2024, July 8). Ribuan warga saksikan Kirab Pusaka Malam Satu Suro di Surakarta [Thousands of residents witness the Malam Satu Suro Royal Heirloom Parade in Surakarta]. Dinas Komunikasi, Informatika, Statistik dan Persandian Kota Surakarta. https://diskominfosp.surakarta.go.id/detail-berita/ribuan-warga-saksikan-kirab-pusaka-malam-satu-suro-di-surakarta-7537

The Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Gadjah Mada University hosted a visit from Pandaan Pasuruan State High School No. 1 on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at the Poerbatjaraka Building Auditorium, FIB UGM. The event was attended by 150 students, accompanied by their teachers, as part of a series of campus tours designed to introduce students to the world of higher education firsthand.

This educational visit aims to provide students with a broad overview and insight into their educational options after graduating from high school, particularly regarding the various majors offered at the Faculty of Humanities (FIB) at UGM. During the informational session, participants received comprehensive information on the faculty’s profile, the strengths of its learning process, the application process for new students, and future career opportunities for its graduates.

The atmosphere became interactive as the Q&A session began. The students discussed daily life in Yogyakarta, ranging from estimated living costs and affordable food and housing to how out-of-town students can adapt to the environment and culture of Yogyakarta.

Through this visit, students from SMAN 1 Pandaan Pasuruan are expected to gain a realistic understanding of the learning environment and extracurricular activities at the university level. This activity also serves as a valuable opportunity for students to prepare themselves and solidify their choices before pursuing higher education.

[Author: Humas FIB Zaidan Abdurrahman]

Gadjah Mada University once again served as a destination for a study tour. This time, UGM’s Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) warmly welcomed 95 students from MAN 1 Pandeglang at the Poerbatjaraka Building Auditorium on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.

Unlike typical academic visits, this gathering was organized in a more relaxed manner, with a focus on introducing the culture and dynamics of campus life. Faculty members invited the students to see firsthand how the academic programs at FIB UGM present the study of language, history, and literature in a way that is engaging and relevant to current trends.

The discussion took on a two-way nature as the Q&A session began. The students seemed curious about how cultural studies are applied in the digital age. The conversation flowed lively, covering topics ranging from the use of technology in historical research and fun ways to learn foreign languages to the creative projects of FIB students, which were anything but rigid.

This visit is expected to open new horizons for the students of MAN 1 Pandeglang regarding the importance of cultural literacy. In addition, this trip will serve as a source of motivation for them to step out of their comfort zones and take on new challenges in college in the future.

[Author: Humas FIB, Zaidan Abdurrahman]

The night atmosphere in Wringinputih Tourism Village, Muncar District, Banyuwangi Regency, looks different from typical rural areas due to the vast fields brightly illuminated by thousands of hanging lights. This unique phenomenon was witnessed directly by the UGM Student Community Service (KKN-PPM) team of Muncar Memancar 2026, who participated in dragon fruit farming activities with local farmers on June 26, 2026. Through direct involvement in the field, the students had the opportunity to learn about the local knowledge systems and cultural adaptations that the community applies to optimize their agricultural yields.

This intensive nighttime farming activity occurs because dragon fruit flowers only fully bloom at night and will wither the next morning. Due to the lack of natural pollinating agents in the plantation during those hours, local farmers take over this role by conducting manual artificial pollination, which the locals often refer to as “marrying” the flowers. In addition to manual pollination, the installation of hanging lights among the plants also serves to provide artificial lighting. This ensures the plants receive longer light exposure, stimulating the dragon fruit trees to continue flowering and producing out of season.

Besides pollination techniques and light manipulation, the students also gained new insights into the farmers’ strategies for dealing with bad weather. When it rains at night precisely when the flowers are blooming, the farmers swiftly snap the flower stem fibers slightly so that the flower faces downward without detaching from the tree. This tactical step is intentionally taken so the upper part of the flower crown can act as a natural umbrella. It protects the sensitive pollen from the rain, ensuring the fertilization process does not fail due to rotting.

The farming practices in Wringinputih Village ultimately form a circular and sustainable integrated agricultural agroecosystem. As a substitute for concrete pillars, farmers utilize live kapok trees as supporting poles and shade to prevent the dragon fruit stems from being damaged by extreme sun exposure. When the kapok tree leaves grow too thick, farmers trim them to be used as feed for cattle or goats. The manure from these farm animals is then reprocessed through fermentation into organic fertilizer to re-enrich the dragon fruit plants and the kapok trees.

This close interaction between human activities, technology utilization, and environmental management attracts attention from a social and cultural sciences perspective. Adinda, an Anthropology student from the UGM Faculty of Cultural Sciences class of 2023 who was involved in the KKN activities, shared her views during this field learning process.

“From the dragon fruit pollination technique, we can see that in farming practices, humans play a role in helping to optimize natural processes so that the production yield is maximized. When viewed from an anthropological perspective, this indicates a reciprocal relationship between humans and the environment. Humans use the knowledge they have to support the pollination process, while nature remains the source of life that sustains human activities,” she explained.

Adinda further explained that this dragon fruit farming knowledge is not simply generated overnight, but is shaped through continuous experience, observation, and interaction with the environment. From that process, the community can understand when the flowers bloom, how to assist their pollination, and the steps that can be taken to ensure the plants produce fruit more optimally. This relationship shows that agriculture is not solely seen as a production process, but also as a form of interaction, adaptation, and knowledge built by humans in living side by side with their environment.

Through the integration of local knowledge, the use of lighting technology, and the application of an integrated farming system, the community of Wringinputih Village has successfully created independent economic resilience. The dynamics of this nocturnal farming activity prove that the success of a commodity does not solely depend on large-scale equipment modernization. Rather, it depends on the human ability to read nature’s signs, adapt, and build harmony with the surrounding ecosystem.

[Public Relations of FIB UGM, Candra Solihin]

Yogyakarta, June 22, 2026 – Three students from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) are participating in the 2026 Period II Community Service–Community Empowerment Learning Program (KKN-PPM) organized by Universitas Gadjah Mada. They have been assigned to Indonesia’s 3T (Disadvantaged, Frontier, and Outermost) region, specifically on Parang Island and Nyamuk Island in Karimunjawa District.

The three students are Alma Syahwalani (Class of 2023, Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program), Keysha Almira Putri (Class of 2023, Tourism Study Program), and Ancelmus Lugas Jejeg Pideksa (Class of 2023, English Literature Study Program). They are members of the KKN Kanvas Paramu 2026 Team, which carries out community empowerment initiatives based on the local potential of the island communities.

The KKN Kanvas Paramu Team is assigned to two islands and divided into four subunits: Parang 1, Parang 2, Nyamuk 1, and Nyamuk 2. Alma and Keysha are assigned to Nyamuk 2 Subunit, while Lugas serves in Parang 1 Subunit.

As villages categorized as part of Indonesia’s 3T regions, Parang Village and Nyamuk Village face various challenges while also possessing significant development potential. Based on a community needs assessment, the KKN Kanvas Paramu Team has designed several programs that focus on community empowerment and sustainable development.

These programs include strengthening community empowerment through education, healthcare, the development of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and children’s creativity. In addition, the team is committed to promoting sustainable marine ecotourism management and environmental conservation to support Karimunjawa’s tourism potential.

In the environmental sector, the students will implement programs to strengthen coastal environmental management and improve basic village infrastructure. Meanwhile, in the economic sector, their initiatives focus on developing local food resources, promoting the sustainable utilization of coastal resources, and enhancing MSME products through improved distribution networks and sustainable marketing strategies.

Through the implementation of the 2026 KKN-PPM Period II, FIB UGM students are expected to apply the knowledge they have gained throughout their studies to make meaningful contributions to local communities. The program also provides valuable experiential learning opportunities, enabling students to better understand the social, cultural, and economic conditions of island communities while fostering collaboration between the university and society in achieving sustainable development.

[FIB UGM Public Relations, Alma Syahwalani]