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

IMBASADI stands for the Association of Regional Language and Literature Students throughout Indonesia. On 17 to 19 May 2024, IMBASADI held a competition attended by students of regional literature study programs from all universities in Indonesia. The competition was held at the Mpu Kuturan Singaraja State Hindu College. Of course, the Javanese Literature study program owned by the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University did not want to miss the opportunity to make the department, faculty, and university proud. They participated in the competition and managed to get many championships so that they were crowned the overall champion. The following is a list of student names and the championships they won:

– 2nd place in National Scientific Writing Competition (Haryo Untoro & M. Siswoyo)

– 1st place in Culture Poster (Meifira Arini Pitaloka)

– 3rd Place in Typography (M. Rafi Nur Fauzy)

– Imbasadi Female Runner Up (Ganes Larasati)

– Imbasadi Male Finalist (Rafif Wicaksono)

– GENERAL CHAMPION

Congratulations and sincere appreciation to the Javanese Literature Study Program for the outstanding achievement of winning the overall champion! This achievement is a testament to the dedication, hard work, and incredible collaborative spirit of the entire team and members of the study program. May this achievement be a driving force to continue to develop and strive for excellence in the field of Javanese literature, and become an inspiration for future generations. Continue to maintain the spirit of togetherness, innovation, and dedication that has become the foundation of success. Congratulations on this brilliant achievement, and may success continue to accompany you in the future!

SDGs 4: Quality Education | SDGs 4: Cultural diversity | SDGs 8: Creativity and innovation | SDGs 10: Culture | SDGs 11: Cultural heritage

It has been a year since the 12th Gugur Gunung successfully hit the stage with the lively and spectacular ketoprak wayang gedhog titled Panji Kudanarawangsa. This year, proudly, the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program presented the 13th Gugur Gunung to all, especially the Mahadaya!

Gugur Gunung is an annual event held to commemorate the anniversary of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program. In the event, the students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program collaborate to present various cultures of the archipelago, especially Javanese culture.

This time, the theme is “Holopis Kuntul Baris”, a Javanese philosophy that is close to Gugur Gunung activities. “Holopis Kuntul Baris” depicts a line of egrets flying in a pointed pattern. This philosophy is a symbol of joint efforts to solve problems, or what we know as gotong royong. Gotong royong is a manifestation of the Javanese sociocultural society that upholds patembayatan, which means living side by side in harmony,

There are two major events that will enliven the 13th Gugur Gunung:

1. Jawaisme Fest

Jawaisme Fest is a Javanese cultural exhibition featuring all things traditional such as traditional games, traditional clothing, performing arts, customs, tata cara, weton, and so on. There are also traditional food tenants that are appetizing. Jawaisme Fest was held on May 13-14, 2024, 09.00 AM-06.00 PM WIB, at Margono Hall, 1st floor, Faculty of Cultural Science, UGM.

1. Popular Arts Performance

The Popular Arts Performance will feature a Jathilan Dance Drama entitled “Turangga Sastra Nuswantara” presented by a collaboration of students of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program. This art performance will take place in Greenland, Faculty of Cultural Science, UGM, on May 14, 2024, starting at 03.00 PM until completion. The Popular Arts Performance will be enlivened by a performance from Lala Atila. 

Author: Haryo Untoro

Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a handover of office (Sertijab) of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Student Association (HMJ Kamastawa) for the 2024/2025 period. The inauguration of the new management took place on Thursday, February 29th 2024, at 04.00–05.00 PM WIB in the Multimedia Room, Margono Building, fourth floor. The event was attended by Dr. Daru Winarti, M. Hum, as the Head of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Imam Prakoso, S.S., M.A., as the advisor of HMJ Kamastawa, representatives of the HMJ Kamastawa board for the 2023/2024 period, and the new HMJ Kamastawa board for the 2024/2025 period.

The event began at 04.00 PM WIB with the opening by Bagus Ulin Nuha, a student of the class of 2023, as the announcer. Followed by opening remarks from Dr. Daru Winarti, M.Hum., and Imam Prakoso, S.S., M.A.

Imam Prakoso, S.S., M.A., then read the minutes of the event and continued with the reading of the oath followed by all HMJ Kamastawa administrators for the 2024/2025 period. The inauguration and symbolic pinning of the sign of office to the Chairperson of HMJ Kamastawa 2024/2025 was carried out by Dr. Daru Winarti, M.Hum. Adjit Royan Mustafa Ganda Sukma, Chairman of HMJ Kamastawa for the 2023/2024 period, removed the sign of office and pinned it to Gilang Cahyo Nusantara, Chairman of HMJ Kamastawa for the 2024/2025 period.

As a moment of farewell and welcome, Adjit Royan Mustafa Ganda Sukma said farewell on behalf of the 2023/2024 HMJ Kamastawa board. Meanwhile, Gilang Cahyo Nusantara gave a speech representing the management of HMJ Kamastawa 2024/2025. The next session was the handover of mementos from Dr. Daru Winarti, M.Hum., to representatives of each division of the HMJ Kamastawa management for the 2022/2023 period. The event was closed with a prayer led by Imam Prakoso, S.S., M.A., before being closed by the MC.

The handover of HMJ Kamastawa for the 2024/2025 period is an important momentum for the new management to continue and improve the quality of the organization. Hopefully, the new management can implement excellent programs in the future, especially the 13th Fall of the Mountain and the XXX Imbasadi Nusantara Cultural Gathering 2024. Thus, it is hoped that HMJ Kamastawa will be able to continue to play an active role, make a positive contribution, and maintain the good reputation of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program. Congratulations and success to the management of HMJ Kamastawa for the 2024/2025 period!

Developing interest in learning Javanese fiction writing among students is one of the good efforts made by the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program. This effort is reflected through the organization of structured courses. However, the study program makes other efforts to identify hidden talents, improve students’ basic competencies, and ensure the sustainability of this interest. One of them is to bring students closer to writers and authors who are qualified in this field through writing training and mentoring activities.

The open offer was conveyed to students through a class communication group. The class community has been formed in the context of training activities in writing children’s stories by Budi Sardjono (Gubug Nyawang Giri), a qualified author under the pseudonym Agnes Yani Sardjono. This activity was held on Saturday, February 24, 2024, starting at 07.30 WIB until completion at Gubug Nyawang Giri-Sleman, in collaboration with PASBUJA (Paguyuban Sastra dan Budaya Jawa) Kawi Merapi Sleman through its Sleman School of Literature (S3). This community is supported by the community service program organized by Wiwien W. Rahayu, a lecturer in the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program since 2022, on an ongoing basis.

The offer did not receive a variety of responses, except from six students who were interested in seizing the opportunity. These students are Dian Nitami, Maysa Putri, Siti Nurhayati, Pingky Putri, Ilman Nafia, and Nisrina Dyah.

“I want to learn to be a writer, develop ideas, and be interested in writing children’s stories,” was Nisrina’s reason for accepting the offer. Another reason for Maysa’s participation was “..to use it to raise my intention, enthusiasm, and motivation to write,” she explained. The same thing was also conveyed by Ilma Nafia and Dian Nitami. The positive energy given by the author through the story of his experience is one of the attractions of the student’s participation.  It could be that this can trigger a passion for fiction writing among Javanese Literature Study Program students. So that in the future, the response to existing opportunities will be more optimal.

Not just a hobby, the choice to become a writer is one of the offers made to students. The Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program is committed to providing strategic programs to support the development of fiction writing skills. The fulfillment of this is done seriously and continuously through the development of partnerships with various parties. Through the implementation of the tri dharma of higher education, this goal is expected to be achieved.