Many traditional Javanese customs or festivals such as meditation, slametan, naloni mitoni, patangpuluhdinanan, nyatus, nyewu have their roots in the Kejawen belief. Javanese beliefs (Kebatinan or Kejawen) are principles embodying a search for the inner self but at the core is the concept of the peace of mind, connection with the universe, and with an Almighty God. Although Kejawen is not strictly a religious affiliation, it addresses ethical and spiritual values as inspired by Javanese tradition. It is not a religion in usual sense of the word, like Islam, Judaism, or Christianity. There are no scriptures such as the Bible or the Qur'an, nor are there prophets.
Mitoni
( http://www.joglosemar.co.id/mitoni.html )
is a Javanese prenatal ceremony held during the seventh month (tujuh bulan in Indonesia) of a woman's first pregnancy. The mother-to-be is wrapped in seven layers of batik and doused with water, to wish her good tidings. Food served in the occasion:
*Fruit rujak, if the rujak is sweet the baby is expected to be a girl; if it is spicy, the baby is expected to be a boy.
*Tumpeng,the tumpeng is made of white rice,encircled by six smaller tumpengs.The dish is served in tampah,which is made of bamboo wood and banana leaf.
Family members and friends gather for the occasion.
When a would-be mother is 7th month pregnant, carrying her first baby in her womb, a ritual ceremony called Mitoni is performed. (Mitoni is from the word pitu means seven). This traditional ceremony aims to request God’s blessings for the safety of the would be parents and the baby. Hopefully, the whole family shall live safely, happily and the child should bring a good life to the family. The child should have a noble life.
The whole ceremony consist of several steps of ritual, such as:
*Siraman (holy bathing)
*Dressing-up of the would be mother
*Angkreman : Eggs-hatching etc.
*Offering
*Siraman
The Siraman could take place either in the family bathroom or in a special place in the backyard of the house, specially designed for this purpose. "Siraman" is from the word "Siram" means to take a bath. This holy bathing (Siraman) ritual in Mitoni is meant to purify the would be parents and the baby. In a spacious green garden of a Javanese mansion, a special place has been beautifully arranged for a Mitoni’s Siraman Ceremony. A big golden bowl full with water and sritaman flowers, consist of rose, yasmin, magnolia and cananga is there. The water itself is holy water from seven springs.In a bright sunny morning, a melodious gamelan music is being played to commemorate a Mitoni ceremony in the house of the would be mother’s parent. Several ladies in colorful traditional Kebaya (shirts) and Batik cloths are participating to give their blessing.
these javanese ritual was at mponks home, 12 March 2013,
congratulations and hopefully mbak sety her baby healthy and well until birth
