Fadli Zon Says the Mount Kawi Pilgrimage is a Part of the Old Tradition

Minister of Culture Fadli Zon. (Antara - Sinta Ambar)

JAKARTA - Minister of Culture Fadli Zon said that the pilgrimage activities at Gunung Kawi, East Java, which have recently been widely discussed as part of old traditions and cultures.

"Mount Kawi, yes, it is our diversity in understanding, including what happened not only in Mount Kawi and in various places, it is one thing that is a mosaic of old traditions and cultures," he said in Jakarta, Monday.

"I think that as long as it can provide benefits, especially bringing cultural economics to the local community, and not disturbing or damaging it, of course we consider it as a reality of our lives," he said.

The pilgrimage activity at Gunung Kawi has recently been widely discussed on social media platforms following content that links the practice to the effort to defraud.

The Kawi Mountain Cemetery in Malang Regency is the tomb of Raden Mas Soeryo Koesoemo or Kiai Zakaria II, who is called Eyang Djoego, and Raden Mas Iman Soedjono.

The tomb complex is often visited by residents. Many residents make pilgrimages to the tomb during the celebration of the New Year.

Every 1 Muharam, which is also called 1 Syuro, a procession that includes the residents' tabur and tabur flowers is carried out in the Pesarean Gunung Kawi neighborhood.