Yogyakarta is a city located in Central Java, Indonesia. Widely known for its richness in culture and history, indeed, Jogja is the heart of Javanese culture. Culture plays an important role for the people there, and thus, Jogja's culture is well preserved and is embodied in their daily life.
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Keraton Jogja is one of Yogyakarta's historical site. It was built in 1756 and it is where the current Sultan lives. The palace buildings are decorated intricately inspired by the Javanese culture with a touch of Hinduism and Islamic influences. In Keraton Jogja, there is a white main gate guarded by two guardian statues in each side. Left and right. The left guards the good and the right guards the evil.
Just beside the white gate is a 'theatre' which keeps traditional music. It is used once a year during the Muhammad Celebration. The gamelan is 300 years old.
There are a lot of royal objects such as a small merit that is used to carry wedding gifts for the bride (upper left), a chair for make up (upper right), and a cage (lower left). The cage is used for the baby where they would put books, jewelry and cosmetics. If the baby choose the books, it would mean that he is intelligent, jewelry would mean wealth and cosmetics would mean handsome or pretty. Another is a wooden structure that was build and used for circumcision ceremonies (lower right).
Walking through the white gate would lead to a large compound of the palace.
To the left is a music pavilion that is used to play Western music (upper left) as well as a waiting room used for the dancers called the bangsal kotak (upper right). To the right is a yellow building and it is the private house for the King (lower left) and just in front is a golden pavilion (lower right) used as a reception hall to receive official guests, ceremonies and official events.
To the left is a music pavilion that is used to play Western music (upper left) as well as a waiting room used for the dancers called the bangsal kotak (upper right). To the right is a yellow building and it is the private house for the King (lower left) and just in front is a golden pavilion (lower right) used as a reception hall to receive official guests, ceremonies and official events.
Behind the bangsal kotak is the house of musicians. There, a large pavilion stood used for traditional dance training every Sunday morning as well as a set of more traditional instruments to accompany the dancers.
The golden museum showcases the Sultan's antique collections such as vases, clocks, royal plates, lamps and so on from parts of the world.
Some antiques from the museum:
The sultan's wife and 4 daughters.
The biggest image above is one of the light bulbs used many years ago. The potteries and plates are gifts from different parts of the world.
Swan - Attention | Deer - Intelligence | Cock - Bravery | Peacock - Dignity
Items belongs to the previous Sultan
Yogyakarta has a strong sense of hierarchy. There are 3 social classes in the past. First is the wong cilia (low rank community) referring to agriculture workers. Second is the abdi dalem, the officials. And third is the noble class. Now, it is divided into 2 - village folks and city workers. Social hierarchy place an important role because it influence the interaction between the society.
Previous Sultan's family tree
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For example, in marriage, the background and descendant of the family plays an important role. In the past the children of the King should marry someone of a royal blood. Now, the daughters of the current Sultan can marry anyone.
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