Boy T Harjanto

Some people were seen wearing traditional Javanese costumes while carrying harvested crops and fruits on Oct. 1 under a scorching sun at Parang Tritis Beach in Bantul regency, Yogyakarta. Along with clothes, the crops and fruits were placed in the waters at sea to float.

Fisherfolk living alongside the coast closed down their businesses to join the ritual, which was held a day before Tuesday Kliwon in the month of Suro on the Javanese calendar.

The ritual began with a parade featuring fisherfolk dressed as warriors. They carried the items that were to float at sea and held prayers for God, asking for blessings and expressing their gratitude.

After the items were placed at sea, the public immediately stormed the shore to take what was available. The ritual concluded with a shared feast of nasi uduk (steamed rice in coconut milk), shredded chicken and fried peanuts. Later at night, the publicwatched a shadow puppet performance. [yan]