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Saparan Wonolelo: Festive way to preserve ancestors’ tradition of preaching
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Gunungan (cone-shaped structure) containing "apem" (pancakes) arrives at the yard near the grave of Ki Ageng Wonolelo's during the Saparan Wonolelo festival.
(JP/Stefanus Ajie)
T
housands of people flock to the field around the grave of Ki Ageng Wonolelo at Pondok Wonolelo in Sleman regency, Yogyakarta, to join Saparan Wonolelo, a traditional festival that was held on Friday, Oct. 11.
The annual event takes place in the month of Sapar (Safar) according to Arabic calendar. It is held as a tribute to the contributions of grand ulema in Islamic Mataram period, Ki Ageng Wonolelo, that includes the establishment of a number of hamlets in the area.
Saparan Wonolelo is a major event that is held for more than two weeks in Pondok Wonolelo hamlet. The village streets became a marketplace that sells traditional food, craftworks, clothes, toys and homewares. To add to the festivity, children’s playground with many interesting attractions is also available.
Visitors to Saparan Wonolelo will be able to join religious activities, including Quran reading and Hadroh and Qasidah music performance. There is also a variety of traditional art performances, such as Jathilan dance, Topeng Ireng dance, Caplokan Barongan dance and leather puppet show.
Meanwhile, the culmination of the event falls on Friday, Oct. 11 with the “Sebaran Apem” procession, where thousands of apem cakes (a treat made of rice flour and coconut) are distributed by the ulemas and descendants of Ki Ageng Wonolelo to the visitors of the event.
Why apem cake? This particular treat is said to be inspired by Middle Eastern style delicacy appam, that according to the local legend, was brought by Ki Ageng Wonolelo and his brother Ki Ageng Gribig as gifts. The cake was served to the students of the grand ulema and the village residents during a Quran reciting event. The distribution of the cake therefore becomes a tradition in Pondok Wonolelo, as well as Jatinom village in Klaten regency, where Ki Ageng Gribig used to live.
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