Procedure and Philosophy of the Javanese Traditional Siraman Ceremony

Kapanlagi.com - In this modern era, many people still consider Javanese traditional weddings and their various ceremonies as their wedding dream or ideal wedding. As is known, there are many rituals that must be performed in a Javanese wedding, and one of them is the siraman ceremony. The siraman ceremony in a Javanese traditional wedding has a very philosophical meaning.

Siraman is actually just one of the many series of rituals in a Javanese traditional wedding. As a ritual or part of tradition, the siraman ceremony has a very important meaning for both bride and groom, especially for the bride. Therefore, there are many things that can be learned from the siraman ceremony in a Javanese traditional wedding.

To gain a deeper understanding of the values, procedures, and intricacies of the Javanese traditional wedding siraman ceremony, let's take a look at the following discussion.

1. Meaning of Siraman Philosophy

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As previously mentioned, siraman is one of the important ceremonies in Javanese traditional wedding. Like other cultural traditions, siraman also has deep meaning and philosophy that is important to know.

The term "siraman" is a Javanese word, which when translated into Indonesian means 'taking a bath'. Literally, the word siram can also mean pouring. So, based on the meaning of the origin of the word, siraman can be interpreted as a procession of bathing the bride and groom candidates by pouring or spraying special water.

The siraman procession is carried out by the parents of the bride and groom candidates. In addition to parents, elders or successful family members are also asked to participate in the siraman for the bride and groom candidates. The hope is that the success in life and household can also be passed down to the couple.

The siraman performed to bathe the bride and groom candidates, becomes a symbolic purification of the soul and body. Thus, siraman becomes a symbol of both the bride and groom starting their married life in a truly clean and pure state.

In addition, the siraman performed by parents and elders also becomes a symbol of blessings given to the bride and groom candidates. The hope is that with a clean and pure soul and body condition and the blessings of parents and elders, both bride and groom candidates can live in a harmonious and blessed household.

2. Javanese Traditional Siraman Procession

(credit: flickr)

Siraman is one of the parts of Javanese traditional wedding ceremony. Siraman is usually held one day before the wedding ceremony or by Javanese society which is also often called midodareni. Generally, siraman is held between 10.00 am to 3.00 pm.

The time of the siraman procession between 10.00 am - 3.00 pm also has its own meaning. In traditional Javanese belief, it is believed that during that time the angels come down to earth to take a bath. Therefore, at the same time, the prospective bride and groom who perform siraman are likened to be as beautiful as the angels.

In addition to the time of the procession, there are several things that need to be prepared in performing the siraman procession. Here are some things that need to be prepared for the siraman procession:

1. Siraman Water

Siraman water is clear water from seven different sources. In addition, water is also mixed with roses, jasmine, and ylang-ylang.

2. Pengaron or container to store siraman water along with its dipper.

3. Bangka mat, pandan mat, certain leaves which are then wrapped in mori cloth.

4. Anglo, which is a stove that functions like a traditional stove made of clay.

5. Kendhi.

3. Sequence of Siraman Procedure

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Further in the siraman procession, there is a series of procedures. In order to obtain the perfection of blessings and philosophical values, each series of procedures in the siraman must not be missed. Here are some sequences in the Javanese traditional siraman procedure.

1. Sungkeman

The siraman procession begins with performing sungkeman. As we know, sungkem is done by the bride and groom candidate by kneeling in front of both parents to ask for forgiveness and prayer blessings.

2. Siraman

After performing sungkeman, the bride and groom candidate will be led to a place where there is water for siraman. The bride candidate then sits on a bench that has been lined with pandan mats. Then the Javanese traditional siraman ceremony begins. Only after that, both parents and elders of the bride and groom start the siraman procession.

3. Paes

After performing siraman, the bride candidate will be escorted to the makeup artist. In the dressing room or makeup room, the bride will be made up or paes. The makeup artist will comb the fine hair on the forehead and then draw it as a Javanese bridal makeup in general.

4. Asking for Prayer Blessings

After paes, the bride candidate is assisted by the makeup artist to meet the guests who are present to ask for prayer blessings again. After this procession, the elders from the bride candidate's side will go to the bride's place to deliver the water used for siraman.

5. Sale of Dawet Ceremony

The siraman procession is then closed with the tradition or ceremony of selling dawet. This procession is carried out by the parents of the bride. Wearing Javanese attire, the parents of the bride go around to the guests to sell dawet. The parents of the bride will work together, where the mother becomes the seller, while the father helps to cover the mother.

The guests crowd around to buy dawet, and the payment tool is made from kreweng which is round and flat. The philosophy behind selling dawet symbolizes prosperity for both the bride and groom.

Those are some of the explanations related to the Javanese siraman procession. Hopefully, it will be useful!

(kpl/gen/psp)