One of the Javanese traditions that is still carried out before the month of Ramadan is Ruwahan. Ruwahan comes from the word ruwah which is the seventh month or the same as the month of Shaban in the Hijri year. The word ruwah has the root word for arwah (spirit) of the ancestors. It is said that the meaning of the word spirit is used as a month to commemorate the ancestors. The house is marked by the pilgrimage to the grave.

Every year Puro Mangkunegaran also carries out the Ruwahan Tradition. Usually, this tradition is carried out at night after the tenth of the month of Ruwah. To be precise, it is carried out on Thursday night. Based on Javanese calculations, Thursday night is a good day.

The Ruwahan tradition begins with praying to God, intended to ask forgiveness for the ancestors. In addition, to ask for strength from God so that Pengageng Puro Mangkunegaran will be given strength and health to continue the struggle of the ancestors.

In this event, various dishes are prepared to complete the Ruwahan tradition in the form of agricultural products such as food, vegetables, fruits, and sow flowers. Ubarampe or all the necessities of the ceremony is a form of gratitude to God.

The last series of the Ruwahan Tradition is doing pilgrimages to the graves of the ancestors of Puro Mangkunegaran. The graves visited included: Astana Mangadeg, Astana Girilayu, Astana Nayu Utara, Astana Kotagedhe Yogyakarta, Astana Imagiri, and several other important places.

In the Ruwahan Tradition, there are several moral values that can be exemplary such as morals towards God, the environment, and yourself. Moral values are a part of the values that overshadow the good or bad behavior of humans. This includes human dignity and matters of life and human life.

Source: Instagram @puromangkunegaran