October 14, 2025 | 11:23 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - One ongoing tradition in Yogyakarta, Central Java, that is often crowded with people and tourists is the Labuhan Merapi ritual. This tradition is held every year, precisely on the 30th of Rejeb in the Javanese calendar. The event is held as part of the coronation of the King of the Yogyakarta Palace.
In this tradition, thousands of people, led by the palace servants of the Yogyakarta Palace, walk along the slopes of Mount Merapi while carrying offerings (ubarampe) to the location of the offering and joint prayer.
They walk side by side in the morning from the house of the late Mbah Maridjan (the former key holder of Merapi) in Kinahrejo, Cangkringan, Sleman, and hike approximately 2.5 kilometers to a place called Srimanganti, which is the center of the procession ceremony.
This tradition usually also features art performances such as classical dance in the Yogyakarta style, a shadow puppet show, and others.
Conservation Message
Bhara Dewaji, a member of the Student Creativity Program for Social Humanities Research (PKM-RSH) team from Gadjah Mada University (UGM), who researched this tradition, said that Labuhan Merapi is not just a tradition, but it holds meaning and has a conservation message. Their study revealed that this tradition has rules, taboos, myths, and folklore about Eyang Sapu Jagad that influence how people treat nature, particularly in the Merapi region.
"So, the ritual is not just an annual tradition, but it also reflects the local wisdom of the community in preserving the forests around Mount Merapi. There are ecological values that contribute to the conservation of vegetation in the Mount Merapi National Park (TNGM)," he said on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
Using various approaches, from ethnoecology to vegetation analysis, the team researched this tradition to reveal how local wisdom plays a role in forest conservation.
He explained that the Labuhan Merapi tradition has been carried out in the customary zone of the TNGM (Mount Merapi National Park) area, from Post 1 Bedengan to Post 2 Srimanganti. This tradition is not only a spiritual ritual but also an effort to preserve the forest and maintain the community's connection with nature, a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation.
Through the procession of offering, the pilgrimage of the mountain-shaped offering, and the efforts to plant testek species, it signifies the expression of gratitude and the community's commitment to maintaining the ecosystem of Mount Merapi.
The Labuhan Merapi ritual plays a role in preserving the forest. This is evident through rules such as prohibiting tree felling and taking plants home from the ritual location, as well as obligating participants to maintain existing vegetation.
Vegetation analysis also reveals the presence of plants with dual purposes. These plants are used in rituals and to prevent erosion and maintain the ecosystem. "This research serves as a bridge between local wisdom and modern scientific knowledge, so that Labuhan Merapi remains relevant as a cultural tradition as well as a tangible example of Mount Merapi forest conservation practice," Bhara expressed.
Meaning of the Traditional Ceremony
The Key Holder of Mount Merapi, Mas Kliwon Suraksohargo Asihono, affectionately known as Mbah Asih, said that the Labuhan Merapi tradition is a ceremony that expresses gratitude to the Creator, seeks safety, and prays for the continued benefits of Mount Merapi and its surrounding environment.
"From this tradition, people are also continually invited to learn and understand the noble values contained within," he said.
The hopes in this tradition are partly revealed through the various types of ubarampe brought. Starting from one sheet of Nyamping Cangkring, one sheet of Kawung Kemplang, one sheet of Semekan Gadhung, one sheet of Semekan Gadhung Mlathi, one sheet of Semekan Banguntulak, one sheet of Kampuh Poleng Ciut, and one sheet of Dhesthar Daramuluk. Then one sheet of Paningset Udaraga, one Sela Ritus Lisah Konyoh container, one Yatra Tindhih envelope, ten Ses Wangen seeds, and Apem Mustaka.
"All of these ubarampe have their own meanings. For example, Semekan Banguntulak conveys the hope to ward off disaster and to keep the community away from bad things," said the son of Mbah Maridjan.
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