Sharing Joy in Surakarta’s Grebeg Sudiro Celebration

In Surakarta Central Java, Imlek (Chinese New Year) is a joint celebration. Residents enthusiastically welcome Grebeg Sudiro, an annual cultural carnival symbolizing the integration of Chinese and Javanese communities.

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

Residents fight over the basket cakes which are distributed by throwing them from a height during the Grebeg Sudiro tradition in front of Pasar Gede Hardjonagoro, Solo, Central Java, Sunday (19/1/2020). This event is held every year ahead of the Chinese New Year celebration as a form of cultural acculturation of various ethnic communities in Solo City.

A drizzle on Sunday (15/1/2023) failed to deter residents from joining the Grebeg Sudiro carnival as a customary event ahead of Imlek.

Carnival participants were lining up on a roadside. They comprised 56 groups with a total of 2,000 people. The public segments participating were quite varied, not only residents of Sudiroprajan subdistrict, Jebres district, as the organizer of Grebeg Sudiro.

The other groups forming the carnival included Pasar Gede Traders’ Community, Tien Kok Sie Shrine and residents from other districts. Even a number of students representing other islands like Riau, Lampung, Kalimantan and Sumba also joined the celebration.

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The carnival began after the beating of a drum by Surakarta Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka. In the carnival, each of the groups presented its show while marching. Some were performing traditional creations like topeng ireng (heroic dance); others displayed their typical Chinese arts like barongsai (lion dance) and liong (dragon dance).

The carnival route started from Pasar Gede Hardjonagoro, going round the area of Sudiroprajan subdistrict, back to Pasar Gede market as its finish.

In the procession, several groups were carrying frames in the shape of gunungan (mountains)on which various traditional snacks and food were laid down such as gembukan (fried corn-flour bread), kue moho (baked wheat flour bread), onde-onde (sesame-seed-covered sticky-rice balls filled with mung beans), janggelut (fried twisted dough), pia-pia, bakpia (flat round cakes with fillings), klepon (small sticky-rice balls filled with palm-sugar syrup), kue keranjang (sweet sticky-rice cakes), fruits, vegetables and tubers, as well as light furnishings.

This is a ritual and cultural event to uphold nationalism, pluralism, diversity and social integration, especially in Surakarta.

When the parade arrived at its finish, the whole lot on the gunungan was up for grabs. The organizing committee also distributed 4,000 kue keranjang cakes during bystanders’ scramble for the food.

“This is a ritual and cultural event to uphold nationalism, pluralism, diversity and social integration, especially in Surakarta. It’s done by synergizing Javanese and Chinese cultures,” said Grebeg Sudiro committee chairman Arga Dwi Setyawan on the sideline of the activity.

The name of the festival, Grebeg Sudiro, comes from the Javanese word grebeg (boisterous and crowded) and sudiro (the subdistrict where the carnival is held, Sudiroprajan). The combination of both words is interpreted as meaning “joviality” in Sudiroprajan subdistrict.

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

Lanterns that decorate and become part of the excitement of the Grebeg Sudiro cultural carnival event in the Gede Market Area, Surakarta City, Central Java, Sunday (1/15/2023).

The choice of the name in fact already reflects integration as shown in the daily life of residents of Chinese and Javanese descent in the subdistrict. Grebeg represents Javanese culture with the presence of the male and female gunungan pair. The gunungan procession is a keraton (palace) tradition.

On the other hand, the arts portrayed in the celebration are patterned on Chinese style, with the barongsai and liong. In some parts, the gunungan paraded is also composed of kue keranjang as an element of Chinese culture.

Since 2007

Chairman of the Sudiroprajan Tourism Conscious Group, Basuki Cahyono, said Grebeg Sudiro had been being organized since 2007. It was initiated by a number of local elders. They contended that the harmony and integration taking place so smoothly in the subdistrict should be spread more extensively. The model of cultural carnival was then chosen as a means of presentation.

“This theme is resistance to the passage of time. It is compatible with Indonesia’s situation. There was once a divisive incident, so this may inspire the strengthening of mutually amicable ties,” said Basuki.

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The moment nearing Imlek was purposely picked for Grebeg Sudiro, noted Basuki. The carnival is at the same time meant as an expression of joyfulness shared by local residents with their fellow denizens who celebrate Imlek.

Therefore, residents’ support for the event has never waned. This is evidenced by the continuity of this spectacle for over a decade with committee members fully comprising local residents.

Chairman of the Surakarta Citizens’ Association, Sumartono Hadinoto, acknowledged that Grebeg Sudiro had made the Imlek celebration even more cheerful. The festive atmosphere is also felt by all residents rather than by certain groups only.

KOMPAS/P RADITYA MAHENDRA YASA

Barongsai and liong arts groups pass decorated lanterns at the Grebeg Sudiro cultural carnival event in Pasar Gede Area, Surakarta City, Central Java, Sunday (15/1/2023).

This is apparent from the carnival’s spectators and participants who come from various backgrounds, ethnic groups, races and religions. The theme adopted also always concerns harmony in diversity.

“Imlek without Grebeg is not joyful. This is an extraordinary acculturation. All parties are mutually complementary so that tolerance and diversity can be preserved together. I hope this will be going on in the future,” he said.

Yuni Widanarti, 45, a resident of Sukoharjo regency, Central Java, is one of the onlookers who is always present every year at Grebeg Sudiro. So, she felt happy as the carnival returned after two years’ absence due to COVID-19.

Yuni’s longing to watch the excitement of the cultural attraction in this parade was instantly relieved. She was even more contented as she could again enjoy the exhilaration of kue keranjang distribution. Moreover, at that moment she obtained two cakes.

In the context of modern society, this event is even more relevant.

“It’s very good to see this event keep going. This is a way of cultural preservation. I can also acquaint children with pluralism. It’s because Imlek is actually the celebration of our Chinese fellow citizens. However, we share the happiness of marking this occasion,” said Yuni, who is a Muslim.

A sociologist of Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta, Drajat Tri Kartono, said Grebeg Sudiro constituted a reflection of social integration and solidarity in the city. For this reason, he hoped this program would not be merely meant as a tourist attraction.

Drajat added that the high participation of society became the key to the sustainability of Grebeg Sudiro. Public response has also been always positive every time the cultural event is held. It means people really feel the carnival belongs to them and they anticipate the show.

“In the context of modern society, this event is even more relevant. Furthermore, present-day people are increasingly individualistic. The presence of a folk festival is capable of building public solidarity,” said Drajat.

The jubilation created during Grebeg Sudiro serves as evidence that differences should not be made into an excuse to trigger division. Diversity should be jointly celebrated within the framework of unity.

This article was translated by Aris Prawira.