This year marks The Prince Mangkunegoro IX’s thirtieth anniversary on the throne. Having been the top leader and ruler of The Court of Mangkunegoro since 1987, he plays important roles in conserving and promoting traditional Javanese arts, culture, and values in Indonesia and abroad.
Today, in modern Indonesian government, The Prince does not hold of official or political power. However, he continues to carry out his duty as one of the traditional rulers of Java by maintaining cultural traditions and traditional art performances including gamelan (traditional ensemble music), wayang kulit (shadow puppet show), and bedhoyo (dances and choreographies) – the Prince puts keen personal interest in traditional dances and is known for his talent to perform Bambangan dance.
Wearing traditional Javanese beskap to attend the Coronation 30th Anniversary ceremony, complete with blangkon (headwear) and batik cloth hand-drawn by Hardjonegoro (Go Tik Swan).
The Prince also puts special attention to maintain the continuity of cultural traditions by organizing annual sacred ceremonies and events including Kirab Malam Satu Suro (Javanese New Year’s Eve ceremony) and Tingalan Wiyosan Jumenengan Dalem (Coronation Anniversary ceremony) that are customarily held at Mangkunegara Palace.
This year’s coronation anniversary ceremony was rather special since the Prince is celebrating his three decades on the throne and I was very fortunate to be one of the invitees to attend the regal event to commemorate the coronation day back in January 24, 1988 when Gusti Pangeran Haryo (the Crown Prince) Sujiwo Kusumo was crowned to replace his father, The Late Prince Mangkunegoro VIII, who passed away peacefully in 1987.
According to the Prince’s daughter, Gusti Raden Ajeng (Her Royal Highness Princess) Ancillasura Sujiwo, the Coronation Anniversary would start with the main event called wilujengan (thanksgiving) by the means of prayers to wish for the Prince’s health and prosperity to rule and lead the Court of Mangkunegoro.
Also during wilujengan, The Princess Consort, Gusti Kanjeng Putri Mangkunegoro IX, followed by royal princes and princesses would seek blessings from The Prince’s (sungkeman) as they congratulate and give well wishes for the Prince. Their Royal Highnesses would then join their guests for a reception at the palace’s Pendhopo Ageng (the Grand Hall) where guests would be treated to luncheon and sacred traditional dance performance called Bedhoyo Anglir Mendung that tells the heroic and glorious story of Prince Mangkunegoro the First when fighting the Dutch colonials in the 17th century. Many Javanese believe that this dance will bring rain as a symbol of prosperity – and it actually rained later that evening!
Unlike other ceremonies held at the Palace, Tingalan Wiyosan Jumenengan Dalem’s atmosphere was more festive and filled with excitement. In this particular celebration, The Prince would award kekancingan (honorary nobility title) in an investiture ceremony to individual recipients in order to recognize their service, devotion, and contribution to The Court of Mangkunegaran.
Receiving my Kanjeng Raden Tumenggung title from the Prince Mangkunegoro IX.
This year, there are nine recipients from many walks of life including extended members of royal family, academicians, lawyers, Indonesian National Police member, and other recipients who are deemed to have contributed to the Court’s and Javanese culture’s continuity. When my name was announced earlier that week as one of the recipients of my mind goes back to when it all started; When Javanese culture, my indigenous culture, really caught my attention.
My first encounter with the royal couple was in 2009 when my parents introduced me at a dinner. The Princess Consort, Gusti Kanjeng Putri Mangkunegoro IX, and I become acquainted and she becomes my mentor in learning more about Javanese culture particularly in cultural traditions, art, and textile. The Princess consort has been kind and generous enough to grant me access to tour the Mangkunegoro Palace and learn more about their art collections, and more importantly, to get involved in traditional ceremonies like I have never experienced before as a general tourist.
When I moved to Indianapolis in 2011 to study at Kelley School of Business, I brought two pieces of my batik collections with me as a gentle reminder to my Javanese roots and it was a fortunate coincidence that during my sophomore years at Indiana University, I had to take Public Speaking class (R-110) as a prerequisite. Undoubtedly, I opted to describe the process of making batik in front of the classroom as my first speech assignment, which was positively welcomed by my classmates and by Professor Lawrence Cistrelli the class instructor at that time.
It was my turn and the spotlight was on me. The announcer called my name and soon enough I found myself walking down the Pendhopo Ageng (the Grand Hall) to be introduced and to shake The Prince’s hand as he handed me my kekancingan. Shortly after the last recipient’s name was introduced, we formed a line as we were sworn to be faithful to the Republic of Indonesia and the Court of Mangkunegoro and to look after the continuity of Javanese culture and values.
Strongly, I realize that being in power for thirty years must have its own ups and downs, but I am very sure that as long as we care about our roots and culture, Javanese culture and the Court of Mangkunegoro will survive. Congratulations on your 30th year on the throne, Your Royal Highness!
By K.R.T Fariz H. Harjanto, MBA
Kelley School of Business Indianapolis, BS 2013