Why Do Javanese Prohibit Marriage In The Month Of Muharram?

Illustration of the month of Suro (VOI)

YOGYAKARTA Muharram is not only special for Muslims, but is considered sacred to most Javanese. In that month, many practices and rituals will be carried out. In addition, Javanese people also have a taboo, namely holding a wedding in that month. Then why do Javanese prohibit marriage in the month of Muharram?

Muharram is the first month on the Hijriyah calendar. In Javanese culture, Suro is very closely related to the spread of Islam in Javanese land. When Sultan Agung Hanakusuma ruled, he wanted to unite Islam and Javanese, one of which was by unifying Islamic and Javanese dating. In the unification, Suro's moon was chosen as the first month in Java's new year.

For this unification, the month of Muharram, which was referred to by the Javanese as the month of Suro, had an impact on the assumption of sacredness over the month. One of the sacredness resulted in trust so as not to get married at that moment.

There are several reasons why you should not get married in the month of Muharram among the Javanese, namely as follows.

As explained earlier, the month of Suro is a manifestation of the unification between Islam and Java which represents the month of Muharram. In Islamic history, in that month there were many major events, one of which was the massacre of 72 children of the descendants of the Prophet Muhammad and his followers. One of those who died was Sayyidina Husein who was the grandson of the Prophet.

In order to respect the events that occurred in the month of Muharram or Suro, the Javanese chose not to hold a wedding party because the party was a form of joy. There are also those who think that the Suro moon party ban was carried out because they respect the grief of the Prophet Muhammad's family for the death of the Prophet's grandson.

The month of Suro is considered quite sacred for the Javanese. On that month, people will perform various rituals such as washing weapons from their ancestors, holding silent tada ceremonies, and many more. These traditions are needed by the Javanese as symbols of self-cleaning as well as moments of self-introspection.

Because of this belief, the Javanese forbade several events, such as holding parties or traveling far away. Javanese prefer to perform self-cleaning rituals to be holy and do self-introspection.

It should be emphasized that the Javanese people's trust in the ban on marriage in Suro is a belief so that differences of opinion will be very likely. In Indonesia, this trust is deeply rooted in the minds of the people. Even the Javanese people have not married in Suro until now.

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