Sekaten Ceremony, Yogyakarta

Posted on July 22nd, 2008 in festival and special event sekaten, sekaten ceremony, sekaten ceremony yogyakarta

Sekaten Ceremony is held in the month of June. The people of Yogyakarta commemorate the birth of Prophet Mohammed by celebrating this festival. The Sekaten Ceremony continues for one week, where in the people perform traditional dances and sing folk songs.

On the first day of this ceremony a mid- night parade is organized which continues to the Grand Mosque. A night fair is also held for one whole month at the alum-alun utara.

Held yearly beginning on the 5th day of the 3rd month of the Javanese calender (Mulud), and extending for one week and culminating with the Gerebeg Maulud Ceremony.

Beginning at midnight a procession of royal servants, Abdi Dalem, leaves from the Kraton Ponconiti Hall and marches two abreast carrying two sets of gamelan named Kyai Nogowilogo and Kyai Gunturmadu down Jl. Malioboro to the Grand Mosque.

The two sets of gamelan are played simultaneously until the 11th day of Mulud when they are returned to the Kraton at midnight.

Yogyanese believe that by celebrating Sekaten and in particular listening to gamelan they will be rewarded with good health and prosperity.

Make sure you enjoy this ceremony during your travel to yogyakarta.