Labuhan Sesaji, Traditional Ceremonies

     Labuhan Sesaji is held once a year. The people throw offerings to the sea to please the goddess of the South -Sea, Kanjeng Ratu Kidul. The people do it to celebrate the King of Yogyakarta's Coronation Day.

     This traditional ceremony is carried out at three places. The places are Parang Kusuma, Mount Lawu and Mount Merapi. On the last day of the ceremony at Parang Kusuma, the people leave to climb Mount Merapi and Mount Lawu to have a ceremony there.

    Tradition means beliefs or customs passing from one generation to the next. Labuhan has existed for a long time. It first happened after Raden Suto Wijoyo, the King of the Mataram Kingdom, sided with Kanjeng Ratu Kidul, the evil queen who lived in the South Sea.

    They met when Panembahan Senopati lived as a hermit at Parang Kusumo Beach. Suddenly, a beautiful girl came. She was the Evil Queen of the South Sea, Kanjeng Ratu Kidul. A handsome boy met a beautiful girl. What happened? They loved each other forever.

     In celebrating Labuhan, the people wear traditional costumes. Men wear a 'destar' hat and coat with closed collar, jas tutup'. He also carries a "keris"-a traditional weapon of the people from Yogyakarta. The woman wears a long blouse worn over the kain or skirt. The costumes are batik-both man and woman wear the same colourful batik.