Celebrating the Syawalan: Capturing a Tradition

I was born and grown up in Pekalongan, Central Java. A lil town with a lot of traditiona and heritages.
One of them is Syawalan. A ceremony which is held a few days after Idul Fitri. In Kajen (my hometown), there is a 2 meters high "tumpeng-megono rice", which is paraded around the village (Linggo Asri Village) to the main stage that hes been provided.

The tumpeng is placed in the center of a yard. Then the ceremony is begun. There are some traditional dancing, and performance.

It's continued by an opening speech from the regent.

After that...


All of the villagers scattered into the "tumpeng" and scrambled to take it.

They believe that if they could get and eat it...they will be blessed..
The Tumpeng Megono is a blessed.

And these are some photos..

the colour of a parade

little miss dancers

blessings for all

trying to reach

pure smile

a cupped handful of blessing

What a unique tradition...!

See you next Idul Fitri... ^^



*Tumpeng = rice which hv a cone-shaped
*Megono= Pekalongan special food, made of a 'young' jackfruit with grated coconut, they are mixed then steamed.