During Eid, people in Yogyakarta not only make a goodwill visit and prepare for the feast, but they also uphold a tradition that is never missed in every Eid al-Fitr, namely the Grebeg Syawal tradition.
Grebeg Syawal is a meaningful celebration that combines religious values and cultural wisdom in one mesmerizing procession. This Yogyakarta Palace tradition marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
Behind the excitement of this tradition, there is a historical story and ancestral heritage that continues to be preserved from generation to generation. Let's discover more about what is behind the Grebeg Syawal tradition in the article below!
What Is Grebeg Syawal Tradition?
Grebeg Syawal is a traditional ceremony that is held every Eid al-Fitr or 1st of Syawal by the Yogyakarta Palace. This tradition has been passed down for centuries, precisely since the 16th century, and is still preserved today.
Grebeg Syawal is a form of Javanese and Islamic cultural acculturation, gratitude in the presence of the king for the Ramadan month’s end, and charity for farm harvests.
In this ceremony, there is Gunungan (various other crops arranged high like a mountain), which is released through a procession by the palace guards.
History of Grebeg Syawal Tradition
The first Yogyakarta Palace’s Grebeg Syawal was held by Sultan Hamengkubuwono I. It is said that the origin of the Grebeg Syawal celebration comes from an ancient Javanese tradition called Rajawedha. In this tradition, the king distributed alms to create a prosperous society.
However, when Islam entered the Demak Sultanate, this ceremony was stopped, which frustrated the people, so they left this newly established sultanate.
Later on, this alms tradition was continued by Walisongo as a medium for spreading Islam. Initially, this tradition was known as Sekaten.
The Sekaten event was originally held to celebrate the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. This event was then held again to mark the establishment of the Demak Mosque, which at that time coincided with Eid al-Adha. Since then, this tradition has been held thrice a year, including during Eid al-Fitr.
Starting from the Demak Kingdom, the alms tradition has been carried out from generation to generation until today.
In the first Grebeg Syawal ceremony, Sultan Hamengkubuwono I made Gunungan Lanang/Kakung, Gunungan Wadon/Estri, Gunungan Gepak, Gunungan Pawuhan, Gunungan Dharat, and Gunungan Bromo/Kutug. However, Gunungan Bromo/Kutug was only issued on the day of the year.
Unfortunately, after Indonesia's independence and the Yogyakarta Palace's integration with the Republic of Indonesia, this ceremony had lost its echo. However, in the 1970s, the Grebeg ceremony began to exist again along with the tourism development.
Even though this event was held again, during that time, the Grebeg’s management was not the same until the emergence of the Yogyakarta Special Region Privileges Law (DIY). Every Grebeg, the Palace will release five types of Gunungans with seven pieces in total, which are:
- Three Gunungan Lanang.
- One Gunungan Wadon.
- One Gunungan Darat.
- One Gunungan Gepak.
- One Gunungan Pawuhan.
Those seven Gunungans will be carried by the Abdi Dalem and escorted by Bregada Soldiers from the North Square of the Palace to three places, which are:
- Five Gunungan are taken to the Gedhe Mosque.
- One Gunungan is taken to Pakualaman Palace.
- One Gunungan to Kepatihan.
Those dedicated Gunungans are then handed over. After a prayer, the people are invited to take it. The distribution of the whole Gunungan to the citizens marks the end of the Yogyakarta Palace’s Grebeg Ceremony.
The Deep Meaning of Grebeg Syawal Tradition
Not just an ordinary celebration, this post-Eid tradition has a truly deep meaning. Grebeg Syawal is a symbol of gratitude for the blessings given by Allah SWT, as well as a form of care and charity for other people.
Meanwhile, the Gunungan that is distributed to the community symbolizes gratitude for the abundant harvest and is a form of charity from the Sultan to his people. This tradition is also an important moment to strengthen the relationship between the people of Yogyakarta.
Now that you understand what Grebeg Syawal is all about. For those of you who live in Yogyakarta, you certainly don't want to miss the event, right?
If you want to directly participate or witness Grebeg Syawal, make sure you always maintain your body fitness during the procession. To do that, always keep a handy 600 ml AQUA bottle in your bag to avoid dehydration and fatigue.
With sufficient hydration, every second of this celebration will bring you immense enjoyment with extra energy. So, don't forget to #AQUADULU because not all water is AQUA.
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AQUA has passed the SNI, BPOM, and Halal certification tests. AQUA is 100% Pure, 100% Indonesian, and 100% Halal.
