Celebrating the coronation of the Surakarta king

Tue, April 9, 2019 / 04:58 pm

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Nine dancers perform the sacred Bedhaya Ketawang dance during King Paku Buwono XIII's coronation. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
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Guests take selfies in front of a picture of the king. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
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Courtiers dressed in traditional Javanese costumes enter the Surakarta Palace complex. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
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Courtiers from different generations take a break before joining the ceremony. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
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Despite their age, senior courtiers are still enthusiastic in following the ceremony. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
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A female courtier carries a bowl of flowers. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
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Foreign guests wear the traditional Javanese kebaya at the coronation ceremony. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
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King Paku Buwono XIII sits on his Dampar Kencana throne while courtiers squat walk before him. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
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Two boys play while waiting for the ceremony to start. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
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Archers get ready for the ceremony. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
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King Paku Buwono XIII is lifted on his wheelchair to the horse carriage to proceed with the great march. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan
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Princes line up for the great march. JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan

Maksum Nur Fauzan

Courtiers and guests were seen entering the Surakarta Palace through the Kori Kamandungan gate on Monday, April 1. They would attend the 15th coronation of King Paku Buwono XIII.

The procession began with the entrance of keratin troops heading to the Kedaton plaza and the king emerged from the Dalem Ageng (great hall). The King sat on the Dampar Kencana throne, which is only taken out once a year for the ceremony. All the royals, guests and courtiers sat facing the king.

The peak of the ceremony was the appearance of nine dancers performing the Bedhaya Ketawang traditional dance. This year, the sacred dance was performed for two hours. Previously, because of the king’s health condition, the dance was only performed for half an hour.

After that, there was the great march heading to the Siti Hinggil (high land) to the north plaza and back to the palace.

King Paku Buwono XIII and his queen rode the horse carriage and greeted the people. [yan]