Gunungan Struggle Tradition

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In every organization of cultural parade to preserve the tradition in the society, Gunungan is an important part that is usually paraded around. Interestingly, however, in every closure of ceremony, Gunungan always becomes the object of struggle. Most people believe that Gunungan can invite good fortune.

Just after prayer, Gunungan, that usually consists of crops or traditional food, already becomes the object of struggle, by people who come to see the Gunungan parade. Such sight is often seen in cultural ceremonies in various regions. It seems to have become a tradition, because most people believe, that getting part of the Gunungan, that has been prayed for, will invite good fortune for them.


As seen in the Mataram Ageng Kuthogede cultural parade ceremony, due to their enthusiasm, people struggled for the Gunungan, which had just been prayed for. Some of them were even willing to search for remnants of Gunungan all over the streets. They come not only from inside the town, but also from the outside. They admitted that they have a hope that, the obtained Gunungan part will invite good fortune for them.

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Mataram Ageng Kuthogede Cultural Parade

As a form cultural value preservation, residents of Kelurahan Jagalan, Kotagede, in sunday morning, a cultural art Parade Ambengan Ageng, Gunungan Kuliner Nawu Jagang, “Mesjid Ageng Mataram Sendang Selirang”. Two Gunungan which was made from crops and traditional food, and two Jodang, shaped as mini replica of ancient javanese buildings, were paraded, from the yard of Kelurahan Jagalan office, to Masjid Ageng Mataram.

The great cultural parade of Mataram Kotagede, was attended by thousands of participants, from people around Kotagede, and Abdi Dalem (palace servants) who consisted of several Bregodo (platoon). The parade was begun with marching band, prayers, and art parade, to accompany the two Gunungan which was made of crops and traditional food such as, Kipo, Banjar, Yangko, Ukel, Kembang Waru bread, and Legomoro. Other than Gunungan, the parade also had two Jodang in shape of replicas of javanese ancient buildings. The cultural parade that has become part of the cultural spiritual tourism calendar, becomes the attention and attraction of local people, as well as tourists. The area of Masjid Ageng Mataram, or Mataram great mosque, has been well-known as cultural area for so long, where its people hold their traditions in high esteem.

Upon arriving in Masjid Ageng Mataram, after being paraded from Kelurahan Jagalan, the Gunungan and the Jodang were later prayed for. Attending residents were eager to take have some of the Gunungan that had been prayed for. Eventually, the Gunungan became an object of struggle among people, who still believe firmly in good fortune from Gunungan that they get.

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