Kedungmulyo, Boyolali (20/07/2023) – The Javanese people are a society known for their habit of performing various kinds of religious rituals as part of their faith. This form of faith is combined with elements of local wisdom that have been carried out from generation to generation, one of which is Tradisi Malam Satu Suro. Tradisi Malam Satu Suro is a tradition of welcoming the Javanese calendar new year which is carried out every year, including the Kedungmulyo people who are located in Kemusu District, Boyolali Regency. For the people of Kedungmulyo, Tradisi Malam Satu Surohas been carried out for decades and is still routinely carried out every year.
Muhammad Farid Akbar, UNDIP 2023 KKN Team II student from the social anthropology department with other KKN Team colleagues tried to introduce Tradisi Malam Satu Suro in Kedungmulyo Village through ethnovideography. This step was taken as an effort to introduce the nation’s cultural wealth as well as an effort to maintain traditions that have been going on for generations in Kedungmulyo Village. This ethnovideography program was carried out in the Dukuh Ngrakum, Kedungmulyo Village. The process of taking pictures is carried out following every processsion that occurs, starting from during the day during the goat slaughter procession to at night during the peak of Tradisi Malam Satu Suro. Many interesting things were found during the event, such as the burial of the feet and head of a goat which is believed to be a starting point for the reinforcements of the Kedungmulyo community, a procession of vows which is always read every time a thanksgiving or tradition takes place there, roasted chicken as a means of requesting prayers, and many more.
Therefore, with the existence of an etnovideographic program on the Tradisi Malam Satu Suro in Kedungmulyo Village as cultural documentation, it is hoped that these local traditions will continue to be maintained from changes or extinction along with the times. This certainly makes it possible for the next generation to easily understand the cultural heritage and values that are trusted by certain community groups, especially the Kedungmulyo Village Community. Not only that, with this ethnovideography it is hoped that it will encourage tolerance and respect for differences as well as the diversity of human culture. In this case, with the existence of ethnovideography, we can understand in depth about the different cultural way of life of a community group.
This is also in line with Pak Hartono Darmo’s statement as the Head of the Dukuh Ngrakum, the hamlet which carries out the one suro night tradition. Pak Hartono stated that the existence of the one suro night tradition could maintain harmony between village communities. Pak Hartono also hopes that this Tradisi Malam Satu Suro will continue to be maintained and not become extinct and not eroded by the times. So that with the ethnovideography of Tradisi Malam Satu Suro it can help to keep this tradition going for generations to come.
From: Muhammad Farid Akbar