My Experience of attending 'Grebeg Syawal Kalurahan Wonolelo 1445H/2024'

Wonolelo.id - 

It was a fine Sunday morning of 5th May 2024 when I visited Wonolelo village located in Pleret district of Bantul Regency in the province of Yogyakarta on the invitation of Mr Bayu who runs a NGO by the name of CV Indonesian Voluntourism. We were total 8 international students from 4 countries namely India, Pakistan, Colombia, Egypt, and Yemen. The occasion was an annual event known as 'Grebeg Syawal' which is a thanksgiving celebration to end the holy month of Ramadhan and enter the tenth Islamic month of Syawal. People express gratitude to God for blessings and safety by celebrating this event every year with pride.

'Grebeg Syawal' event in Wonolelo started with a parade or a cultural procession of approximately 1 km wherein the whole community participated, and it was no less than a spectacular view of people joining from all walks of life with a sense of joy and happiness on their faces. The air crackled with anticipation as I joined the throngs of people in Wonolelo for the annual Grebeg Syawal celebration. The streets were adorned with vibrant banners, the scent of incense hung heavy in the air, and the rhythmic beat of gamelan music filled every corner. This was my first time experiencing this significant event, and I was eager to immerse myself in the cultural tapestry that unfolded before me.

We were given traditional costume of Yogyakarta province to wear and participate in this event. Above the head I also wore 'blangkon' which is a traditional head covering for men which is used as a complement to traditional Javanese clothing. This was my first time wearing this dress and it gave me a strong sense of Javanese culture feeling which is preserved since long time ago. Throughout the parade, we saw a huge crowd of children and adults as if whole village was out of their houses to take part in this procession. Villagers took photos with us and were very happy to see foreigners joining this event.

After the parade came to its destination, we were seated and witnessed the cultural performances of the village for more than 3 hours. Wonolelo consists of 8 sub-villages namely Guyangan, Depok, Mojosari, Ploso, Purworejo, Bojong, Cegokan, and Kedungrejo. Each sub-village performed in their own traditional way which was magnificent and amazed me. It also gave me the essence of strong Javanese culture which has been rooted since ancient times and still being practiced in such villages. Each sub-village consisted of hundreds of men in their traditional attire carrying a mountain like structure consisting of several fresh fruits and vegetables which is a kind of offering to the mosque known as "Gunungan". Javanese people believe that those who receive the fruits and vegetables from the Gunungan will be blessed.  The gunungan symbolized the abundance and prosperity bestowed upon the community after Ramadan. As the procession snaked through the city, the crowd erupted in cheers, reaching out to touch the offerings in hopes of receiving blessings.

This event ended with snatching of these fruits and vegetables from Gunungan which was a spectacular view for me as everyone from the village wanted to take some part of offering. The distribution of the gunungan was a major highlight of the event wherein the cones were meticulously dismantled, and the contents were distributed among the eager participants. I witnessed a beautiful display of community spirit as people shared the food with their neighbors, ensuring everyone received a portion of the bounty. Beyond the spectacle, I was deeply moved by the sense of unity and joy that permeated the atmosphere. People from all walks of life came together, united by their shared faith and cultural heritage. The smiles on their faces and the infectious laughter that filled the air spoke volumes about the significance of this event.

As the day progressed, I had the opportunity to interact with locals and learn more about the traditions associated with Grebeg Syawal. I discovered that the celebration is not merely a festive occasion but also a time for reflection and gratitude. It is a reminder of the importance of sharing, compassion, and the blessings received during the holy month of Ramadan.

At the end, we were given certificates of appreciation by the Mayor of Bantul Regency, Mr Abdul Halim Muslih followed by a delicious buffet lunch which included traditional cuisines of the village and Eid namely 'Lontong & Opor Ayam' which is also one of my favourite dishes of Indonesia. We also met the Village Chief Mr Akhmat Furqon who was extremely happy to meet with us and invited us again to Wonolelo village to attend such events and promote Wonolelo internationally.

Overall, the experience of attending this festival left an indelible mark on my memory. It was more than just attending a cultural event; it was a journey into the heart of Indonesian tradition and a testament to the power of community and faith. The joyous revelry of Grebeg Syawal will forever remain etched in my mind, a reminder of the beauty and richness of cultural diversity.

 

Above article is written & composed by:

Mohammad Farhan Zeb Khan

Country of Origin: India

Student of S2 Pendidikan Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta