Many Javanese people celebrate the Islamic New Year with certain rituals. The villagers of Lencoh in Selo district, Boyolali, Central Java, offered a buffalo head and seven tumpeng (rice cones) for the occasion, which fell on Sept. 20. 2017
“The offerings are to show our gratitude for God’s blessings for us who live around Mount Merapi. Through the ritual, we also beg God to protect us from any disasters,” said village head Sumardi.
The offerings were carried to the crater of the mountain in a cultural procession, accompanied by a series of traditional customs. Village elders shared folklore about Merapi protecting the Selo people, chanting old songs and prayers.
Aside from the villagers, around 1,000 climbers took part in the procession to witness the ceremony, according to Samsuri, an official from the Mount Merapi National Park Agency.