Holiday Ayo - Since the reign of Sultan Hamengkubuwuno I, Yogyakarta Sultanate in Indonesia has known a tradition called Grebeg, sometimes also called Grebeg Maulud. The name comes from the Javanese word “brebeg” or “gumerebeg” which means the loud sounds caused by the cheers or applause of the audience.

Grebeg is usually done three times in a year during the appointed times. One of those times is during Mawlid, which is the birthday of Islamic prophet Muhammad, commemorated in Rabi’ al-awwal, the third month in Islamic calendar.

As cited from Kompas.com, the celebration of Mawlid in Keraton Yogyakarta will be opened with a ceremony called Sekaten. This ceremony is held on the 5th of Rabi’ al-awwal and will last for seven days, until the night of the 11th of Rabi’ al-awwal.

The beginning of Sekaten ritual is signaled by the sound of the gamelan. After that, the gamelan will be moved from the Keraton to the Great Mosque before being played for seven days.

Sekaten ceremony is closed with a speech about the Prophet Muhammad that is held in Yogyakarta Great Mosque, followed by another ceremony called Kondur Gongso, in which the gamelan are returned to the Keraton. After Sekaten ritual is ended, Grebeg Maulud will be held.

Grebeg or Grebeg Maulud is the main event of the celebration of Muhammad’s birthday in the Keraton or Palace of Yogyakarta Sultanate. It is held on the 12th of Rabi’ al-awwal at 7.30 a.m., local time.

Grebeg Maulud begins with the parade of the palace brigades, which are Wirobrojo, Daeng, Patangpuluh, Jogokaryo, Prawirotomo, Nyutro, Ketanggung, Mantrijero, Surokarso, and Bugis. Each brigade will wear their own uniforms while parading from the north yard of Kemandungan, crossing Sitihinggil, toward the north square.

The people will also prepare a bunch of foods called Gunungan, which consist of vegetables, nuts, chilies, eggs, and various dishes made of rice to symbolize prosperity. At 10 a.m., seven Gunungan will be brought from the Keraton led by Bugis Brigade and Surokarso Brigade.

During the parade toward the north square, there are salvos and cheers from the sentries of the Keraton. The loudness of this procession is where the name Grebeg came from.

Five Gunungan will be brought to Gedhe Kauman Mosque while the other two will be brought to Kepatihan and Pakualaman. The citizens that attend this even will grab anything they can get from Gunungan.