I

n commemoration of its 268th anniversary, the Surakarta city administration in Central Java held a carnival on Saturday afternoon themed “Wayang is my country’s culture”.

About 1,500 people participated in The Solo Carnival, which was named after Surakata’s popular nickname. Participants comprised city officials, art performance groups and locals who wore costumes representing a wayang character of their choice.

Surakarta Culture and Tourism Agency head Widdy Srihanto said no restrictions were made with regards to costumes. “All [types and characters of] wayang are welcome,” he said prior to the event.

He added the diversity of costumes represented the true identity of heterogeneous Surakarta. Apart from that, it also reflected the city’s effort to preserve wayang.

Among the types of wayang that were represented in the event were wayang purwa (leather puppet), wayang wahyu, wayang kancil, wayang potehi (usually presented during Chinese New Year celebrations), wayang suluk (used to preach Islamic teachings), wayang Mbok Mban, wayang bidadari (nymph puppet) and wayang buto (ogre puppet).

Some participants created their own wayangs, creatively named: Wayang Jathilan Susur, a mix of wayang potehi and jathilan (trance dance), wayang truntung and wayang rajawali (eagle).

During a parade, participants took on the personalities of their costumes. For example, those dressed as the character Semar from the Mahabharata epic, walked with their heads down while those dressed as Rahwana (giant) from the Ramayana epic, laughed loudly like a giant.

“This is a nice event. It’s a rare opportunity to see people in wayang costumes parading along the street,” a local, Sika Nurin, said.

This year’s event was the second time such an event had been held. The first Solo carnival was held last year and was led by then mayor Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, who rode a horse and was dressed as Puntadewa, a character from the Mahabharata epic.

Esemka, the car that was assembled by local vocational high school students, also participated in the carnival. Then deputy mayor FX Hadi Rudyatmo, who wore a Werkudara costume, also from the Mahabharata epic, sat inside the car.

A new rule, however, was applied for this year’s event. No vehicles pulled by animals were allowed to take part. This rule, according to Widdy, was implemented to prevent participants from damaging formations just to avoid animal feces.

He also said the wayang theme was deliberately chosen to remind people of the existence of wayang, which has been recognized a world heritage and is known for its values of unity, togetherness, mutual cooperation and politeness.

Also seen participating in the carnival was Youth and Sports Minister Roy Suryo. Dressed as Prince Setyaki, also from the Mahabharata epic, he said the diminutive-bodied character suited him well. “Setyaki is [physically] small but he has the drive to make a breakthrough,” he said.

The carnival was filled with enthusiastic attendees. “Spectator management has always been a problem for the organizing committee,” chairman of the carnival’s organizing committee Bambang Suhendro said.