Dozens of arrows swiftly fly toward the target as the bowstrings are pulled back. Thud, thud, thud… one by one they hit the straw-wrapped target board. Some miss and fall to the ground.
Then, small children run to collect the arrows and return them to the archers. This is the excitement of Jemparingan, which can be witnessed every Wage Tuesday at Kemandungan Field, Yogyakarta.
“First round,” called out a middle-aged man through a loudspeaker on a cool Tuesday afternoon.
His voice in Javanese echoed throughout Kemandungan Field, located right behind the Sasono Hinggi Dwi Abad building in the South Square of Yogyakarta. A long whistle followed the call.
This is the sign that the Jemparingan event, a Mataram-style archery competition held by the Yogyakarta Palace, has begun.
One by one, arrows are shot from the bows of traditional archers sitting cross-legged on mats.
Their goal is to score as many points as possible. Points increase if they hit the target, which consists of straw wrapped in cloth and tied to a rope 30 meters in front of them.
Every time an arrow hits the target, officials sound a traditional musical instrument, the bonang, as a marker.
This archery competition lasts for 20 rounds. In each round, participants have four chances to shoot.
As soon as the first round ends, the next archers start to line up neatly on the mat.
Before starting to shoot, they check their bows and then concentrate fully on the target point. Extra precision and calmness are required to hit the target with the available bow.
What makes Jemparingan so unique is the rule that requires all participants to wear traditional Javanese attire. Men wear jarik and surjan complete with blangkon, while women wear kebaya and jarik.
The shooting position is also different from regular archery. In Jemparingan, archers do not stand but sit cross-legged on a long mat.
Jemparingan itself is a tradition of the Yogyakarta Palace that has existed since ancient times. Initially, this activity was a training exercise conducted by palace soldiers, hence it is called Jemparingan Jawi Mataram.
Over time, Jemparingan transformed into a traditional sport that anyone can participate in.
According to the servant of the Sultanate of Yogyakarta Palace and Chairman of the Traditional Archery Association Jemparingan Yogyakarta, KPH. Winoto Kusumo, the meaning of Jemparingan or archery is to teach us to hone and improve concentration.
Concentration itself is influenced by various elements, including focus, patience, balance, and regular and stable breathing for accuracy in hitting the target by the arrow knight.
Whoever can control their concentration and master body balance and breathing with focus will be the winner.
This signifies that the arrow knight can hone their senses and build a relationship with something distant from us.
Currently, Jemparingan training is regularly held every Wage Tuesday (Javanese calendar) or every 35 days. This competition commemorates the birthday of the King of the Yogyakarta Palace, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X.
In addition, Jemparingan Jawi Mataram is also usually held during the “Tingalan Dhalem” or the Sultan’s coronation anniversary.
On this day, arrow knights from Mataram (Yogyakarta and Surakarta) meet and test their accuracy instincts by shooting arrows at a pendulum or bedor target approximately 30 meters away in 20 rounds.
Each archer will be assisted by cucuk or assistants to collect their arrows. Cucuk are usually small children.
Not only are the participants’ costumes traditional, but the equipment used for Jemparingan is also traditional. The bows and arrows used in this activity are usually made from a special type of bamboo, petung bamboo.
Other materials commonly used to make Jemparingan equipment are walikukun wood and limewood.
Like most competitions, this archery contest also offers prizes in the form of trophies and cash.
Although the amount of money is not large, this event is still popular. Because what they seek is not material gain but satisfaction, a sense of togetherness, and pride in participating in preserving this tradition.
The competition, interspersed with warmth and jokes among the archers, ends as the sun sets, right when the last archer releases the final arrow at the end of the 20th round.
“See you next Wage Tuesday,” said the man acting as the event guide. A chorus of responses emerged from the row of archers and spectators, “Yes.”
Traveller’s Note
- Jemparingan Mataram is held every 35 days, specifically every Wage Tuesday (Javanese calendar). This event is usually held at Kemandungan Field, not far from the South Square/Alkid Yogyakarta.
- The event usually starts around 2:00 PM. If you are interested in watching, make sure to arrive before that time.
- This event is free and open to everyone. Spectators are not charged to watch this event.
- If you are interested in learning archery and participating in Jemparingan, you can ask the organizers at the location directly about how to do so.
