Numplak Wajik: The Symbol of the Sultan’s Almsgiving

Hajad Dalem is a ceremony, celebration, or ritual of gratitude (selamatan) organized by the Sultan. It usually includes the celebration of major Islamic holidays, the commemoration of the Sultan’s coronation anniversary (Tingalan Jumenengan Dalem), and selamatan ceremonies held within the Yogyakarta Palace (Keraton Yogyakarta).

During Hajad Dalem celebrations of Islamic holy days, such as Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha, the Numplak Wajik procession is carried out, culminating in the Garebeg ceremony. Numplak Wajik is the procession that marks the beginning of assembling the gunungan, which symbolizes the Sultan’s almsgiving to his people. The gunungan will later be paraded and distributed to the public during the Garebeg ceremony.

Each year, the Yogyakarta Palace holds three Garebeg ceremonies: Garebeg Mulud, commemorating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad; Garebeg Sawal, marking the end of Ramadhan; and Garebeg Besar, commemorating Eid al-Adha. Therefore, the palace conducts the Numplak Wajik procession three times a year, as a gunungan is distributed during each Garebeg.

Before the Numplak Wajik procession takes place, the frame and crown (mustaka) of the gunungan are placed in Panti Pareden. A large wooden mortar (lesung) and several pestles (alu) are also prepared. The mortar, made from a large wooden log, is struck rhythmically by several pestles, producing a sound believed to ward off misfortune. The rhythmic performance of gejog lesung welcomes the arrival of the Abdi Dalem Keparak procession, led by a Putri Dalem (a daughter of the Sultan) or a designated sister of the Sultan. Once the procession is seated inside Panti Pareden, the ceremony is ready to begin.

The Numplak Wajik procession begins with a prayer led by the Abdi Dalem Kanca Kaji. Afterwards, the Abdi Dalem Kanca Abang prepares the jodhang. The jodhang is a wooden platform that serves as the base for the gunungan and is later used to carry it. A large basket of wajik (a traditional sticky rice cake) is poured onto the jodhang, forming a cylindrical shape.

The bamboo frame of the Gunungan Wadon is then installed and firmly fastened to iron pegs on the jodhang. The mustaka of the gunungan, which had been prepared earlier, is lifted and inserted into the wajik. The Abdi Dalem Keparak applies a herbal paste made from dlingo and bengle onto the jodhang. A sinjang (long cloth) called songer is wrapped around the gunungan frame, followed by a wrapping of semekan (a traditional women’s chest cloth) known as bangun tulak.

After the procession is completed, the dlingo-bengle paste is distributed to the serving Abdi Dalem and attending visitors. The sinjang songer and semekan bangun tulak are then removed. In traditional Javanese belief, dlingo and bengle are aromatic herbs (empon-empon) whose scent is disliked by evil spirits. Both the gejog lesung and the dlingo-bengle paste function as protective elements to ward off misfortune, expressing a prayer to the Almighty so that the entire series of ceremonies proceeds smoothly without obstacles.

About The Contributor

Messa Adi Saputra, commonly known as Messa, was born in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. He is currently pursuing his Bachelor Degree in Accounting at Universitas Gadjah Mada. Alongside his academic pursuits, Messa is deeply interested in photojournalism, with a particular focus on cultural, social, and environmental issues. He primarily works on photo essays, using visual storytelling to document and interpret the phenomena unfolding in his surroundings. Through his work, Messa seeks to capture moments that reflect the complexity and humanity of everyday life.