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Sultan's coronation anniversary marked with sacred dance in Surakarta
The sacred "bedaya ketawang" dance marked the coronation anniversary of Paku Buwono XIII in Surakarta.
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The 'bedaya ketawang' dance is performed as part of the 'tingalan jumenengan' (coronation anniversary) of Surakarta Sultan Paku Buwono XIII in the Surakarta Palace in Central Java on Monday. (JP/Ganug Nugroho Adi)
On Monday, the tingalan jumenengan (coronation anniversary) of Sultan Paku Buwono XIII was held at Surakarta Palace in Central Java.
Several government officials attended the cultural event, including Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Minister Wiranto, Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo and Central Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Condro Kirono.
Led by a procession of the palace’s soldiers in the palace yard, Paku Buwono went to the Sasana Sewaka Hall.
When the sultan sat on the throne, nine female dancers began to perform the sacred dance of bedaya ketawang (dance from the sky).
Although it is usually performed in a short version of 30 minutes to an hour, the dance lasted the full two hours.
Bedaya ketawang can only be performed once a year at coronation ceremonies. It is performed by nine girls, dressed in complete Javanese traditional bridal costume and make-up.
Read also: Surakarta Palace to stage full version of 'bedaya ketawang’ dance
“The dance is an essential part of the tingalan jumenengan, the sultan’s symbol of existence,” said palace official Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Haryo Dipokusumo.
Paku Buwono and his wife Paku Buwono Pradapaningsih were conveyed in a horse-drawn Kyai Garuda carriage around Surakarta, while members of the royal family followed.
To the beat of three marching bands, the carriages drove by while Pradapaningsih tossed coins to spectators along the route.
According to Dipo, the parade and the full performance of the bedaya ketawang dance were aimed at restoring the public’s trust, following the palace’s internal conflict in recent years.
“It’s high time for the palace to be open to the outside world. We have been trying to rebuild the palace, and we’ve been collaborating with the Surakarta administration to develop tourist potential,” he added. (wng)
