Central Java has a variety of interesting traditional rituals that are worth exploring. One of the most well-known is Tedhak Siten. Derived from the Javanese words Tedhak, meaning "to step down" or "to set foot," and Siten or Siti, meaning "earth," Tedhak Siten is a ceremonial tradition marking a child's first step onto the ground.
This ceremony is held when the child is 7–8 months old. During the ritual, the child is carried by their father or mother to ascend bamboo steps, then gently guided back down to step onto the ground. This process is what is known as Tedhak Siten.
In the Javanese community, the Tedhak Siten tradition is not only about preserving the culture of the ancestors, but also a form of prayer and hope from parents to their children. In the publication entitled Tedhak Siten Dalam Tradisi Masyarakat Jawa Desa utama Jaya, Anggraini et al states that, Tedhak Siten symbolizes parents hope for their child to be prepared and successful in navigating a life full of challenges and obstacles, guided by their parents' support.
Behind the Tedhak Siten procession, it has a profound meaning, namely as a form of respect for Siti or land that gives many things in human life.
This procession is usually held in the courtyard of the house or in Pendopo, while other parts of the ceremony are usually held at the back of the house. However, nowadays, people often prefer to rent a venue or use hotel ballroom facilities.
When you want to hold a Tedhak Siten procession, there is such a thing as choosing a good day. When is that? In the publication entitled Tedhak Siten Dalam Tradisi Masyarakat Jawa Desa utama Jaya, Anggraini et al explain that, the best day for the ceremony is usually on the neton/nepton (the child’s birthday), and the ideal time to begin the event is in the morning, in the front yard of the house.
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The Tedhak Siten procession requires a lot of equipment, each of it has a significant meaning for the community.
The items used in the ceremony are often sourced from nature or consist of tools that are practical and aligned with modern developments, these items consist of seven colorful jadah (made from sticky rice), a ladder made from sugarcane, a cage (usually shaped like a chicken coop) filled with items, stationery, toys in various shapes, water for washing and bathing the child, roasted chicken, pisang raja (a type of banana), udhik-udhik (a traditional offering), traditional snacks, various types of jenang (traditional Javanese sweets), a Tumpeng (cone-shaped yellow rice), complete with gudangan (side dishes) and yellow rice.
On the day of the event, there are several important rituals in the series of Tedak Siten ceremonies. According to the website kebudayaan.jogjakota.go.id, there are several important processions in this series of Tedak Siten events and here is the list of events:
1. Cleaning The Feet
The Tedak Siten ceremony begins with the parents carrying their child to have their feet washed first before the child steps foot on the ground. This activity symbolizes the child starting their journey in life, which must be undertaken with a pure heart.
2. Walking Through Seven Jadah
In this session, the child is guided to walk over seven jadah, a type of sticky rice cake in various colors, including red, white, green, yellow, blue, pink, and purple. These colors symbolize that in life, the child will face many challenges but will always find a way through with the help of God Almighty.
- Red means courage
- Yellow means strength
- Pink means love
- Blue means calmness
- Green means environment and fertility
- Purple means perfection or peak
- White means purity
3. Ladder Made from Tebu Wulung
In this ritual, the child is guided by parents to climb seven steps made from sugar cane stalks. The ritual begins with the parents accompanying the child, which illustrates that the family will support the child in every steps in their life.
4. Confinement
The cage used in this ritual is a chicken cage made from bamboo and has been decorated as beautifully as possible. Inside the cage, various items are placed, such as jewelry, stationery, toys, and many others.
The items that are placed in the cage will be picked up by the child and the chosen items represent the profession the child may pursue in the future.
5. Bathing a Child
To bathe the child in Tedhak Siten, the water used is water taken by the parents at night, around 10-12 pm and then left until the next day and exposed to sunlight.
When you start bathing the child, the water that was left overnight is given flowers. The meaning is as the child grows up, they will become a source of pride for their parents and family.
6. Giving Udhik-Udhik
Udhik-Udhik is a mix of coins compared with various types of flowers. In this ritual, udhik-udhik is distributed to children and adults who are present at the event. This symbolizes that the wealth one possesses should also be shared with those around them to help everyone who needs it.
Tedhak Siten is one of the unique traditions among many in Javanese culture. Each of the sessions holds deep philosophical values. This tradition is also a form of gratitude to God and a way to preserve the cultural heritage passed down by ancestors, ensuring that the community continues to uphold this tradition.
