MUMBAI: On Saturday at Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia, Mumbai, organized “Mitoni” Traditional Ceremony. “Mitoni” is a traditional ceremony for first time pregnancy at seventh-month period of pregnancy.
The purpose of this ritual is for security of the giving-birth mother and the infant. For Javanese people, the “Mitoni” ceremony is a chain of people’s lives cycle that have been performed to this day. The “Seven Months” (Mitoni) ceremony as a form of Javanese tradition known in India to be similar to a “baby shower”.
Together with Mr. Agus P. Saptono, Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia, Mumbai as the host, its officials and its family members along with members of the Dharma Wanita Persatuan – DWP (Civil Service Wives Association) of the Indonesian Consulate General in Mumbai were present on occasion.
At the premises of Indonesian Consulate General, Mumbai the Mitoni ceremonial treat was performed quite completely, including wearing Javanese traditional clothes. On this occasion, the guests received an explanation about the process and meaning of the six stages contained in the Mitoni ceremony.
The ceremony began with “sungkeman”, then “siraman”, “brojolan egg”, “replace sideways”, “breaking Lawe”, “cracking coconut” and “rujakan”. The guests were also invited to participate interactively in the siraman session, the selection of the tasting cloth for the rujakan event.
Mr. Agus P. Saptono, Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia, Mumbai on the occasion have to state that the form of attention can be seen from the enthusiasm of the attendees to participate directly in the siraman event and the sufficient number of questions about the ceremonies being carried out, considering that the ceremony is full of ritual value.
On the occasion also held was the tradition of cutting the Nasi Tumpeng with luncheon hosted in honour of the guest with presenting them with a variety of Indonesian cuisines.
The selection of the Mitoni ceremony as part of a cultural demonstration seemed to have received great attention, including from the guest present on the occasion.
Overall, the event hosted by Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia, Mumbai received a warm welcome and positive responses from the guests.
“Mitoni” is a traditional ceremony for first time pregnancy at seventh-month period of pregnancy. The purpose of this ritual is for security of the giving-birth mother and the infant. For Javanese people, the “Mitoni” ceremony is a chain of people’s lives cycle that have been performed to this day.
Indonesia consists of chain of islands with numerous ethnic groups and cultures. Each of ethnic group in Indonesia creates, spreads and inherits its culture to the next generation. Every region or district has its own special cultural pattern, and developed as regional cultures. Regional cultures are the root of national culture that are preserved and maintained. Diversity in ethnic groups and cultures give a special and unique identity for Indonesian culture, and show the richness of Indonesian culture. One of the traditional cultures from Javanese ethnic group is Mitoni ceremony.
For Javanese people, the “mitoni” ceremony is a chain of people’s lives cycle that have been performed to this day. “Mitoni” is the traditional ceremony for first time pregnancy at seventh-month period of pregnancy. Word of Mitoni means the seventh. Seven month period of pregnancy considered as a tough time for a prospective mother. As a response of this idea, people hold pregnancy rituals to receive security and blessing for all participants, and mostly for the prospective mother, prospective father, infant, and all families. It is a sacred ritual with a purpose to free the pregnant mother from any harms or from anything that considered as bad or evil, and for security of the giving-birth mother and the infant.
The main idea of mitoni ritual is to throw away all kinds of dangers, evil deeds, and calamities so that the prospective mother may have happiness and security, also as a supplication to God for the security and welfare for the community who hold the ritual. Mitoni ritual is also a form of worship to the God Almighty.
The Javanese people strongly have confidence that Mitoni ritual that they perform for seventh-month pregnancy can hamper potential troubles and produce security. There are some activities included in the Mitoni ceremony: foods offering; prayer; bathes, and feast. ENDS
