Chinese-Javanese communities in the royal city of
Solo, otherwise known as Surakarta, celebrate the
Chinese New Year (
Imlek) with the
Grebeg Sudiro carnival. The carnival showcases the acculturation between China and Java. It is usually focused around
Pasar Gede.
The Philosophy
The word
grebeg is a Javanese term for traditional celebration
or a carnival, usually for, but not exclusive to, Islamic events, such
as the commemoration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, the Islamic
New Year, and Eid al-Adha. The harmony between Javanese and Chinese
culture is reflected during the
Grebeg Sudiro carnival. A mountain-shaped pile of offerings (
gunungan) comprising of basket cakes (
kue keranjang),
fruits and vegetables will be paraded around Pasar Gede before being
swarmed by the crowds in a matter of minutes. The crowds are encouraged
to obtain the offerings as it embodies the Javanese philosophy of "
ora babah ora mamah", meaning "you have to earn what you eat". The offerings also symbolize gratitude to God Almighty.
The Grebeg Sudiro mountain-shaped offerings, known as
gunungan, is constructed of thousands of Chinese sweet cakes known as
kue keranjang. The cakes are made especially for the Lunar New Year only. The
gunungan is
paraded around the Sudiroprajan area, followed by Chinese and Javanese
musicians and dancers in traditional costumes. At the end of the parade,
a large teapot-shaped lantern on the gate of Pasar Gede is lit, and
then followed by lighting up of other lanterns decorating the
marketplace.
Social and Cultural Relationship
The Grebeg Sudiro shows the harmonious relationship between the
Chinese and Javanese communities who live within one district,
respecting each other's tradition and way of life. When preparing for
Grebeg Sudiro,
both ethnic groups help one another in preparing for the ritual to
thank God and the universe for the blessings and bounties granted to
them.
The Sudiroprajan area is part of the Jebres sub-district in the city of
Solo, Central Java. The Chinese have stayed here for generations and
lived harmoniously with the Javanese. Through years of inter-marriages
and acculturation, new generations of mixed marriages, known as
Peranakan, created this unifying tradition. (Indonesia.travel)
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