Sleman Preserves Javanese Heritage Through Suran Cultural Parade

RRI.CO.ID, Sleman - The community of Banyuraden Village in Gamping, Sleman, Special Region of Yogyakarta, filled the streets on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, to celebrate the annual Kirab Suran Mbah Demang, an enduring cultural parade held to mark the arrival of the sacred Javanese month of Sura.

Centering around the Banyuraden Village Hall, the centuries-old traditional procession pays homage to Ki Demang Cokrodikromo, a historic community leader revered for his profound spiritual guidance and major social contributions to the area. The celebration has long transcended its origins as a village ritual, having been recognized by the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture (now, Ministry of Culture) as an Intangible Cultural Heritage (WBTB) since 2016.

This year's parade offered a vibrant showcase of regional identity, drawing large crowds with a procession featuring Bregada (traditional Javanese palace guards) marching in full regalia, diverse folk art performances, large gunungan (cone-shaped offerings of agricultural produce), and giant ogoh-ogoh effigies.

Sleman Deputy Regent Danang Maharsa emphasized that the event's official listing as a cultural heritage asset underscores its strategic importance to regional tourism and identity. The tradition has officially been integrated into Sleman regency’s permanent calendar of cultural events.

Beyond the colorful pageantry, Danang reminded the public of the deeper philosophical values embodied by Ki Demang Cokrodikromo, notably his boundless compassion and radical hospitality toward all travelers, regardless of their social standing.

During his lifetime, Ki Demang famously welcomed every guest with a signature offering consisting of fresh water served in a traditional kendi ijem (green clay teapot) alongside sekul gudhangan (rice with seasoned vegetables) and ketan tholo (sticky rice with black-eyed peas) neatly wrapped in banana leaves.

According to Danang, the Suran Mbah Demang ritual serves as a crucial social anchor, ensuring that the younger generation maintains a strong sense of cultural belonging amid modern shifts.

"Besides being a form of entertainment, this event has proven effective in strengthening ties and fostering a sense of ownership among the younger generation for Javanese culture and the surrounding environment. One of the ways this is achieved is by committing to preserving the Mbah Demang Petilasan Well so that it continues to provide water for the benefit of the community," Danang said.

He further urged the community to rely on local culture as a foundation to avoid losing their national identity, noting that communal rituals reinforce civic unity and faith.

"Through cultural practices like Suran Mbah Demang, we hope that noble values, strengthening of faith, and the spirit of mutual cooperation can continue to be implemented in everyday community life," he added. (Naura Sofia-EN)