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The Yogyakarta Sultanate is holding a temporary exhibition titled "Hamong Nagari: Aparatur Nagari Yogyakarta" from Mar. 8 to Aug. 17, 2025. The exhibition is held at the Kagungan Dalem Kedhaton (center of the Yogyakarta sultan's palace) of the Yogyakarta Palace and was inaugurated on Mar. 7, 2025 at the Kagungan Dalem Pagelaran (performance venue of the sultan's palace) at the palace.
This exhibition highlights the important role of the Yogyakarta Palace's state apparatus Sultan Hamengku Buwono I. The series of opening events featured a fashion show with characteristic styling of said sultanate officials that include elements of Yogyakarta Palace's abdi dalem (royal palace officials) uniforms and their symbols. Each element in the clothing has a philosophical meaning that is still preserved today.
The event was also enlivened by the performance of the Yogyakarta Royal Choir, which performed its characteristic acapella
Sultan HB X, who is also ex-officio Yogyakarta Governor, opened the exhibition by emphasizing that it is part of efforts to comprehend, appreciate, and internalize the value of dharma bakti (devotion) that have been passed down for hundreds of years in the sultanate.
"Hamong Nagari is also an occasion to trace the trail of history about the Yogyakarta Palace's state apparatus. They are the ones who help to support and maintain the sovereignty of the palace," the sultan explained.
The event was also attended by the ranks of the Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY) Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), government officials, school principals, tourism partners, cultural communities, and the general public who are interested in the history of the Yogyakarta Palace's government.
The state apparatus are not just a royal employees in the Yogyakarta Palace system, but also intended to be a representation of harmony between the leadership and the people. The concept of Manunggaling Kawula Lan Gusti (unity between the leader and the people) is the main value held by the palace's state apparatus. They act as a bridge between leadership and devotion in maintaining the continuity of the Sultanate.
Yogyakarta Palace Penghageng Kawedanan Hageng Punakawan (KHP) Nitya Budaya and Hamong Nagari: Aparatur Nagari Yogyakarta Exhibition Chair Gusti Kanjeng Ratu (GKR) Bendara explained that the exhibition also displays how Sultan HB I, through Patih Danurejo, organized the Yogyakarta government system as a new country.
"Sultan HB I not only divided the Yogyakarta region into the categories of kutanegara, negara agung, mancanegara, and pantai, but also formed a government from each region," said GKR Bendara.
The "Hamong Nagari" exhibition presents historical collections that ranges from ancient documents, the institutional structure of the Yogyakarta Palace government, to cultural heritage objects that are still preserved today, as well as the administrative historical heritage from the toponymy of villages in Yogyakarta.
For people who want to explore the history of the Yogyakarta Palace government, The exhibition is a golden opportunity to understand how the palace's state apparatus system plays a role in maintaining the continuity of the sultanate to this day.
