English (International) 
Korean (South Korea)
Discover Labuhan Merapi, the ancient offering ritual of the Yogyakarta Palace held on Mount Merapi’s slopes, rich in Javanese spiritual and cultural meaning.
Mount Merapi is not just one of the most active volcanoes in the world, it is also a spiritual pillar for the Javanese people, particularly for the Sultanate of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat. Beneath its swirling mist and majestic landscape lies a tradition that has endured for centuries: Labuhan Merapi.
This ancient ritual is an offering ceremony, a form of thanksgiving to nature, carried out for generations by the Yogyakarta Palace. More than just a cultural procession, Labuhan Merapi represents the harmonious relationship between humans, nature, and the Creator, while also marking a special bond between the Yogyakarta Palace and the mountain’s unseen guardian spirit.
History and Origins of Labuhan Merapi
The word labuhan comes from the root labuh, which in Javanese means to cast away, to set adrift, or to offer something into water or sacred places. The practice dates back to the era of the Islamic Mataram Kingdom, under the rule of Panembahan Senopati in the 16th century.
According to legend, when Panembahan Senopati founded the Mataram Kingdom, he made a spiritual pact with the ruler of the Southern Sea (Kanjeng Ratu Kidul) and the guardian spirit of Mount Merapi (Kyai Sapu Jagad). The pact was a mutual commitment to protect and watch over the Mataram lands and its people.
Interestingly, although the ceremony is initiated by the Palace, its execution relies heavily on the participation of local communities. Residents living on Merapi’s slopes, particularly from Kinahrejo and Umbulharjo in the Cangkringan district of Sleman, take part in every stage of the procession.
Philosophical Meaning: The Universe, Humanity, and the Creator
For local communities and culture enthusiasts, Labuhan Merapi holds a depth of meaning that goes far beyond mere spectacle.
1. Hamemayu Hayuning Bawana
This core principle of Javanese philosophy teaches humans to continually beautify and preserve the world. Labuhan Merapi symbolizes a prayer for safety, so that Mount Merapi remains calm, spares nearby residents from disaster, and continues to bless the land with fertility.
2. The Balance of Hablumminallah and Hablumminal Alam
Although wrapped in animistic symbolism throughout its history, modern Javanese communities interpret this tradition as an expression of gratitude to Allah SWT for His blessings and protection. The offerings that are cast away or presented symbolize letting go of worldly desires and ill will, so that community life remains in harmony.
3. Part of Yogyakarta’s Philosophical Axis
The Yogyakarta Palace was designed along a straight line known as the Sumbu Filosofis, or Philosophical Axis, connecting Panggung Krapyak, Keraton, Tugu Yogyakarta, and Mount Merapi. Mount Merapi represents the pinnacle of spirituality, the place where human prayers are believed to reach the heavens.
Ritual Offerings: The Symbolism Behind the Uborampe
The Labuhan Merapi procession cannot be separated from the uborampe, a set of ritual offerings prepared by the Abdi Dalem, the Palace’s traditional retainers. According to Mbah Asih, the set consists of eleven items in total, and its composition rarely changes from year to year. Most of the items are traditional cloths, including:
- Nyamping Cangkring and Kawung Kemplang: long traditional cloths (sinjang) that form the base layer of the offerings.
- Semekan Gadhung and Semekan Gadhung Mlathi: green cloths traditionally worn as a chest wrap (kemben).
- Semekan Banguntulak: according to Mbah Asih, this cloth carries the hope of warding off misfortune and disaster, keeping the community safe from harm.
- Kampuh Poleng Ciut and Dhesthar Daramuluk: a body-wrap cloth and a headcloth distinctive to palace processions.
- Paningset Udaraga: a binding cloth that completes the ceremonial attire.
Beyond the clothes, the set also includes Sela Ritus Lisah Konyoh (a container of fragrant oil), Yatra Tindhih (an envelope of money), and ten pieces of Ses Wangen (fragrant seeds). All of these items are carried in a special chest and kept overnight at the former home of Mbah Maridjan, before finally being offered at Sri Manganti the following day. This consistency matters: each item is believed to carry a specific prayer or hope, from safety and fertile land to protection from whatever disaster the mountain might bring.
A Two-Day Procession Full of Meaning
The Labuhan Merapi ceremony typically unfolds over two days, each with its own lengthy sequence of events.
1. Day One: Handover from the Palace
The procession begins at the Yogyakarta Palace, where the Abdi Dalem carry the uborampe in a formal parade toward Cangkringan district, stopping first at the Depok district office. There, Palace representatives hand over the offerings to the Regent of Sleman, who then passes them on to the Abdi Dalem serving as Mount Merapi’s key custodian. From here, the ceremonial mountain of offerings (gunungan) and the uborampe are paraded to the former home of the late Mbah Maridjan, Merapi’s legendary key custodian, in Kinahrejo hamlet. That evening, the day’s events close with an all-night wayang kulit (shadow puppet) performance. Locals and visitors gather in an atmosphere that is solemn yet warm, united in prayer for everyone’s safety.
2. Day Two: The Climb to Sri Manganti
Early in the morning, the Abdi Dalem, dressed in full traditional attire: blangkon headwear, batik cloth, and a keris tucked at the back, set out on foot, carrying the uborampe.
- The Journey to Sri Manganti: The procession follows a mountain trail up Merapi’s slope toward the ritual site at Sri Manganti (roughly a 1.5 to 2-hour climb from Kinahrejo). This spot is believed to be a spiritual gateway to the mountain’s unseen realm.
- Prayers and Chants: Upon arriving at Sri Manganti, the uborampe are laid out on a mat. Merapi’s key custodian leads prayers in refined Javanese, interwoven with Islamic blessings and prayers for safety.
- Distribution of Blessed Offerings: After the prayers, part of the uborampe is placed or buried in the sacred ground, while some of the food and cloth is distributed among the community. Locals believe these items carry blessings and protection from disaster.
The Role of Merapi's Key Custodian
The Labuhan Merapi ceremony cannot be separated from the role of the mountain’s key custodian, known as the Juru Kunci. The most legendary figure to hold this role was Mbah Maridjan (Raden Ngabehi Surakso Hargo), who remained faithful to his duty until his final breath during Merapi’s devastating eruption in 2010.
Today, that responsibility rests with his son, Mas Kliwon Suraksohargo Asihono, better known as Mbah Asih, who was appointed directly by Sultan Hamengku Buwono X. The Juru Kunci is far more than a ritual guide, he serves as a bridge between local wisdom, the Palace, and modern disaster mitigation, combining traditional natural signs (titen) with guidance from Indonesia’s official volcanology agency (BPPTKG).
The role goes well beyond leading rituals. The Juru Kunci connects the Palace, the government, and the communities living on Merapi’s slopes, and is trusted to understand the mountain’s own “language”, from its natural warning signs to the inherited wisdom of knowing when to evacuate and when the mountain is calm.
When and Where to Witness Labuhan Merapi
Labuhan Merapi is held every year on the 30th of Rajab in the Javanese calendar, a date that shifts each year when converted to the Gregorian calendar. The main venue lies within Mount Merapi National Park, specifically in the zone set aside for religious, cultural, and historical preservation.
For travelers hoping to witness the ceremony firsthand, the best starting point is Kinahrejo hamlet, in Umbulharjo village, Cangkringan district, Sleman. Keep in mind that because Mount Merapi’s activity status can change without warning, the trail up to Sri Manganti is usually closely guarded by National Park personnel for safety reasons. Visitors are advised to follow officials’ instructions and avoid pushing beyond the designated safe zone.
Tips for Travelers
If you’re planning to join or watch the Labuhan Merapi procession in person, keep these tips in mind:
- Stay physically fit: The climb to Sri Manganti requires a decent level of fitness. Wear proper hiking shoes, or at the very least, footwear with good grip.
- Dress appropriately: Wear warm clothing, as mornings on Merapi’s slopes can be quite cold, but make sure the fabric is breathable enough to handle sweat.
- Respect local customs: Mind your behavior and words while in the sacred area, and follow instructions from the Abdi Dalem and local security personnel.
- Keep the mountain clean: Always carry your trash back down with you. Keeping the mountain clean is the highest form of respect for nature.
- Check the volcano’s status: Always check Mount Merapi’s activity level with BPPTKG before deciding to make the climb.
More Than a Ritual: Harmony Between Humans and Nature
In today’s fast-paced world, Labuhan Merapi offers a rare pause, a moment to reflect on the relationship between humans and nature. The ritual teaches that a mountain is not simply a landscape to be exploited, but an entity worthy of respect and care, especially one that can reshape the fate of thousands of people living at its foot in an instant.
For communities living around Merapi, belief in the mountain’s unseen power exists alongside a very real awareness of eruption risks. The local wisdom born from the Labuhan tradition ultimately serves a dual purpose: preserving a spiritual bond while instilling vigilance against disaster. Merapi may be known to the world for its eruptions, but through Labuhan, the mountain also carries a quieter story: one of loyalty, prayer, and hope, kept alive year after year.
Interested in exploring Indonesia’s culture and traditions more deeply? Visit basantara.net for more stories like this.
