Effigies on Parade: Semarang, Central Java

By Barrie | September 12th, 2007 | No Comments

Thousands of residents lined Jl Pemuda in the heart of the Central Javanese capital Semarang on Wednesday to watch the traditional warak parade, a procession a mythological creatures combining dragons, horses and camels.

The dozens of warak effigies were used by Semarang residents to usher in the Muslim fasting month of Ramadhan.

The procession commenced at the Semarang City Hall, stopped at the Kauman Grand Mosque, and then proceeded to the Central Java Grand Mosque on Jl Gajah, some five kilometers away.

At the end of the event, Semarang Mayor Sukawi Sutarip announced Thursday to be the beginning of the fasting month. His announcement was followed by the “dug” sounds of the mosque’s drum and the “der” sound of fire-crackers, from which the ceremony derives its name — dugderan.

A cultural observer in Semarang, Jawahir Muhammad, said the ritual was first held in 1891 by then Semarang regent Raden Mas Aryo Purbaningrat, who organized the first dugderan on the eve of Ramadhan to remind Semarang residents of the start of the fasting month.

Warak comes from the Arabic word wira, which means “prevention” or “control”. The warak figures present a message to residents to stay in control of themselves and their earthly desires while performing their religious duties.

“The warak character is customarily linear in shape, thereby reminding Muslims in Semarang to always walk in God’s straight path,” Jawahir said.

When observed closely, the warak figure resembles a blend of three cultures — Javanese, Chinese and Arabic. Its body resembles a horse, its neck a camel and its head a dragon.

Warak effigies are decorated in various colors of crepe paper. The effigies are usually made to lay eggs, known as warak ngendog in Javanese, symbolizing holiness and the purity of the soul after fasting.

“Dugderan is part of the cultural expression of Semarang residents in greeting Ramadhan. They welcome the Muslim holy month, which is full of blessings and good deeds, by staging the dugderan,” said Walisongo State Islamic University rector Abdul Jamil.

Upcoming Ramadhan events will include a jipin dance contest at the Central Java Grand Mosque and a warak competition at the Raden Saleh Cultural Park.

Also on the agenda will be a food market in Kauman, which will run through to Oct. 17 from 4 p.m. daily, offering traditional foods to break the daily fast.

Suherdjoko