Procedure Slametan

a slametan in mosque in cibodas, tumpeng main menu. ca. 1907.

slametans held in evening, after evening prayer finished. date determined either occurrence celebrating (for births , deaths, example), or on auspicious days in javanese calendar. guests, men, close neighbors, , selection of guests based entirely on proximity, , not whether friends or relatives. called messenger of host (usually child of his) 5 or ten minutes before slametan begin, , must drop whatever doing come.

when arrive, guests sit on floor mats around food has been placed in center, while incense fills room. ceremony begins formal speech (udjub) in high javanese. speech attendees coming, presents reason slametan, announces intentions , petitions spirits secure himself , guests state of equanimity (slamet, hence name of ritual), , apologizes errors in speech , humble inadequacy of food. during pauses in speech, audience responds solemn inggih ( yes ).

following speech, present gives arabic chant-prayer. many not know how, host makes sure there had attended religious school (usually kyai); special occasions may invite village religious specialist (the modin). fragments of koran, al-fatiha, commonly used, although special prayers may used if known. @ pauses audience says amen (amin). prayer leader receives small payment (wadjib).

at last, food served. while ceremony strictly men, food preparation falls upon women in family, larger ceremonies may draw on kin assist in preparation. each guest receives cup of tea , banana-leaf dish containing each sort of food in center of room. food fancier average, , each variety has symbolic meaning, explained in speech. host himself not eat, nor serve food, 1 or 2 of guests do. when has dish, host invites them eat, without speaking. after few minutes, , before eating of food, guests excuse themselves, , finish eating food in own homes, own wives , children. whole ceremony lasts ten or fifteen minutes.