Symbol of soul purification and ancestral heritage

KABARJAWA – The Gunungkidul Regency Government records a new history. For the first time, the Gunungkidul Regency Government held a sacred procession of Jamasan Tosan Aji in the Sewokoprojo Ward, Thursday (07/24/2025).

The local government revived this ancestral tradition by involving historical heirlooms owned by the Regency Government and Tosan Aji owned by the Heads of the Regional Apparatus Organization (OPD).

That morning, the Head of the Gunungkidul Culture Office, Chairul Agus Mantara, stood tall in front of the participants. He explained that this sacred procession was born from the initiative of the Culture Office together with the courtiers.

Reasons for Organizing Jamasan Tosan Aji

They were moved by the concern of Regent Endah Subekti Kuntariningsih towards the preservation of local culture.

“This is the first time it has been held. Previously there had never been a Jamasan Ageng like this. Because the regent’s mother was very concerned about culture, we requested permission to hold this procession,” said Agus Mantara.

Agus asserted, his party would make Jamasan Tosan Aji an annual agenda. He hopes that this sacred tradition is able to attract tourists and become an icon of cultural tourism in Gunungkidul Regency.

“Hopefully in the future, this activity will be included in the annual event calendar. We hope that the Tourism Office can publish it to attract tourists. Moreover, the Sewokoprojo ward is also a cultural heritage building,” he said.

In front of the officials, the Regent of Gunungkidul Endah, Subekti Kuntariningsih, stared intently at the heirlooms that were neatly lined up.

He asserted, Tosan Aji is not just heirlooms such as keris, spears, wedung, or patrem. Tosan Aji is a symbol of the noble values of the ancestral heritage.

“Tosan Aji symbol of wisdom, courage, and determination. These values are important we revive as the foundation of building a tough and civilized national character,” said the Regent.

Endah explained, the Jamasan procession did not only clean the heirloom physically. He emphasized that this ritual was a symbol of purification of the soul and respect for cultural heritage.

“The philosophy is not only cleaning the rongkon, but also cleaning everything spiritually,” he said.

Next jamasan

On that occasion, Regent Endah also revealed that the implementation of Jamasan this time was specifically for the ranks of regional officials.

However, he promised to facilitate the general public in similar activities in 10 different locations. The Gunungkidul Culture Office will lead the implementation of Jamasan for the community owner Tosan Aji.

“Farmers, many traders, many who have tosan aji. According to their respective Kodam, there are those for inheritance, agriculture, and so on,” he said.

The Regent added, in the following week his party would hold Jamasan Tosan Aji for the Head of the Gunungkidul Regency Government and his staff at Taman Budaya Gunungkidul. He emphasized that this activity was also a means of cultural education for the younger generation.

“It turns out that not many people know that the keris has prestige that is full of meaning, not only motives. There are prestige of degree, gold shrimp, jaran rocking, and others. This is important to be introduced to our children,” explained Endah.

Regent Endah invited the entire community to maintain ancestral heritage. He hopes that Jamasan Tosan Aji will be able to strengthen local cultural identity while building regional progress.

“Through Jamasan Tosan Aji, I invite all elements of society to preserve culture as a legacy that strengthens national identity,” he said.

Service process. The plates prepare flowers, lime, and soldiers. They clean the dagger, spear, and patrem one by one, wiping slowly with white.

The aroma of flowers spread to fill the Sewokoprojo ward. Officials looked down solemnly, watching the heirloom purification ritual which is also believed to purify the souls of their owners.

This Jamasan Tosan Aji activity this time carved history. The Gunungkidul Regency Government succeeded in reviving the ancestral heritage that was almost forgotten.

This tradition not only maintains heirlooms, but also instills noble values to build a civilized and strong character. (EF Linangkung)