Yogyakarta Sultanate's Hajad Dalem Labuhan commemorates Sultan's ascension

The Yogyakarta Sultanate held the Hajad Dalem Labuhan ceremonies at Parangkusumo Beach, Bantul Regency and Mount Merapi, Sleman Regency on Jan. 30-31, 2025. Thousands of local and foreign residents and tourists crowded and watched the procession.

The sultanate's annual labuhan tradition is usually held every 30^th of Rejeb in the Javanese calendar to commemorate the 34^th anniversary of Sultan Hamengkubuwono X's ascension to his throne.

Kanjeng Raden Tumenggung (KRT) Wijoyo Pamungkas, representative of the Yogyakarta Royal Household, said that the Labuhan tradition is a symbol of gratitude for the various things that Yogyakarta Special Region residents have gained throughout the past year of the Javanese calendar.

Labuhan is also a symbol of hope for the community to always be in prosperity and peace.

"This Labuhan is symbolized by the procession of throwing something in a predetermined place, such as the sea and mountains," said Wijoyo.

At Parangkusumo Beach,Tthe labuhan procession was carried out by parading various ubarampe ritual offerings that consists of four types: pengajeng (leader), pendherek (follower), lorodan ageman dalem (used clothing of Sultan Hamengkubuwono X), and sanese (others not of the former three categories).

The four kinds of uborampe in the labuhan encompass about 30 items which include food, clothing, and even cut hair of the sultan.

Before being anchored past the shore, the ubarampe is kept overnight in the Yogyakarta Palace Sri Manganti Ward. Then, it is brought from the palace to the Cepuri Parangkusumo hermitage at Parangkusumo Beach.

After being prayed for, all the ubarampe are brought close to the edge of Parangkusumo Beach to be anchored in the middle of the sea. Residents and tourists then compete for the ubarampe. The procession is also guarded by beach SAR officers so that residents and tourists who are fighting do not dare to go too far into the middle of the ocean.

"Throwing the labuhan ubo rampe is also not done in just any place, but in designated places, which are adjusted to the history of the establishment of the Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Palace," added Wijoyo.

Parangtritis Beach Fishing Caretaker Mas Bekel Suraksa Trirejo said that the labuhan tradition is a manifestation of the sultanate's Hamemayu Hayuning Bawana philosophy.

"The philosophy of Hamemayu Hayuning Bawana means efforts to preserve and balance nature and other aspects [of life]," he explained.

The labuhan ritual at Parangkusumo Beach itself was enthusiastically welcomed by the local community and tourists. Pieter, a foreign tourist from Belgium, said that he came because he wanted to see the traditions of the Javanese people firsthand.

"I am interested in studying Javanese culture, especially the traditions of the Sultanate that still persist on how to respect the environment, nature, and all of existence," he said.