Battle for blessings in grand Gerebeg

Thu, September 15, 2016 / 01:12 am

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Royal soldiers exit from the Kamandungan gate of Surakarta Palace to mark the start of the Gerebeg Besar ritual. JP/Ganug Nugroho Adi
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Long beans, red chili and sugar cane are arranged to shape the cone-shaped offerings. JP/Ganug Nugroho Adi
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Ornaments made from sweet rice crackers and snacks are placed on the female-specific offerings. JP/Ganug Nugroho Adi
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Surakarta Palace soldiers wearing official attire march toward the palace. JP/Ganug Nugroho Adi
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Royal servants carry offerings from the palace to the grand mosque. JP/Ganug Nugroho Adi
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Veteran royal soldier, Margono, 75, holds a spear while on duty with the Sorogeni unit. JP/Ganug Nugroho Adi
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Foreign visitors watch the Gerebeg Besar procession. JP/Ganug Nugroho Adi
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People scramble for female-specific offerings at the Surakarta Palace. JP/Ganug Nugroho Adi
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Residents jostle for parts of the male specific offerings. JP/Ganug Nugroho Adi
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A royal servant shows a handful of offerings he obtained. JP/Ganug Nugroho Adi
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Royal servants collect fragments of offerings at the Surakarta Palace. JP/Ganug Nugroho Adi

The Surakarta Palace held a grand Gerebeg or Gerebeg Besar on Sept. 13 as part of a procession to carry a pair of gunungan [cone-shaped offerings] that symbolize male and female specific offerings. The offerings, which consist of results of the harvest and local snacks, were paraded for about 300 meters from the palace to the front yard of the grand mosque.

The Gerebeg Besar marks the highlight of the commemoration of Idul Adha [Islamic Day of Sacrifice].

Prince Aryo Winarno Kusumo explained that gunungan was a symbol of gratitude from the people to God for abundant blessings during the month of besar [great], which falls according to the Javanese calendar.

For Surakartans, the celebration began once the mass prayer ended. Hundreds of people fought to grab the gunungan. People believe that by taking home offerings they ensure fortune, health and safety for their family members. [dmr]