Cirebon Canoman Palace Holy Gong More Than 600 Years Old For The Commemoration Of The Prophet's Birthday

The regents and servants of the Cirebon Canon Palace cleaned the heirloom gong in the Gong Sekaten siraman tradition in Cirebon, West Java, Sunday (24/9/2023). (ANTARA/Fathnur Rohman)

The Cirebon Canoman Palace in West Java carries out the tradition of Gong Sekaten's siraman to purify heirlooms used at the commemoration of the Prophet Muhammad's birthday. Prince Patih Raja Muhammad Qodiran representing Sultan Canoman Sultan Raja Muhammad Emirudin led the process of washing the heirloom object during an event that took place at the Langgar Keraton Canoman, Sunday, September 24. "This laundry aims to purify or clean in preparation to sound on the 8th of Rabiulawal, the evening," said the spokesman for the Canoman Palace, Ratu Raja Arimbi Nurtina, as quoted by Antara. Arimbi explained that Gong Sekaten is a set of gamelans over the age of 600 belonging to the Canoman Palace which is only heard once at the peak of the Long Ceremony. "Gong Sekaten has existed since the Sunan Gunung Jati era. We continue to maintain this hereditary tradition so that it remains sustainable," he said. Before the cleaning ceremony took place, the regents and courtiers removed Gong Sekaten from the Palace Ward and took him to Langgar. Meanwhile, other courtiers prepare tools and materials for the implementation of the Gong Sekaten siraman tradition. "We prepare materials in the form of brick powder, fermented coconut water one night, then flower water, and several other ingredients such as tamur Java and lime," Arimbi explained. After the cleaning needs were completed, Gong Sekaten was placed on a special table and then cleaned, watered with air developed and rubbed with coconut sabut. "We use coconut fiber so as not to damage the part," said Arimbi. Arimbi said that in carrying out the tradition of cleaning heirloom gongs, residents around the palace were present to witness and some of them joined in fighting over the water used for washing heirloom objects.

"The moment of Gong Sekaten's exit is one of the opportunities for the people of Cirebon and its surroundings to witness firsthand the form of heirloom gamelan which only appears once a year," he said.