Kelanawisata.id, Yogyakarta - The Yogyakarta City Culture Office celebrated the 14th anniversary of the Special Status Law of the Special Region of Yogyakarta by organising the Babad Siti Kemantren Festival, a cultural exploration initiative that takes participants on a tour of 14 kemantren districts across the city. One of its flagship events, the ‘Jelajah Budaya Gowes Telusur Rasa Kotagede’, successfully brought together dozens of participants to cycle past historic sites, from the hustle and bustle of Pasar Legi to the elegance of the Intro Living Museum on Friday morning (04/09).

The gentle morning sunshine accompanied the departure of more than 40 cyclists from the Embung Giwangan Cultural Park at exactly 07:30 WIB. Participants from all walks of life appeared enthusiastic as they pedalled, not merely for exercise, but to rediscover the collective memories preserved in the nooks and crannies of the old city. This event marked the fourth year of the Babad Siti Kemantren Festival, which consistently highlights local stories from every sub-district in Yogyakarta.

Bringing the Narrative of the 14 Kemantren to Life

Andrini Wiramawati, Head of the History, Museums, Language and Literature Division at the Yogyakarta City Culture Office, emphasised that this festival is a manifestation of the spirit of special status. In her view, the approach to history must not be rigid or confined solely to textbooks. Through the concepts of walking tours and bike tours, historical narratives are brought directly to their original locations to make them more relevant to modern society.

“The Babad Siti Kemantren Festival was organised to commemorate the Special Status Law. It features not only walking tours but also bike tours. The festival also collaborates with tourist villages, which it is hoped will become a driving force for quality tourism in the future,” explained Andrini on the sidelines of the event. This synergy with the tourist villages is expected to generate economic benefits whilst strengthening cultural identity at a grassroots level.

Traces of Civilisation at Pasar Legi and Purbayan

Returning to the ‘Gowes Telusur Kotagede’ event, the group’s first stop was at Pasar Legi in Kotagede. Amidst the bustling market activity, guides from Jogja Walking Tour unravelled the layers of history that shroud the area. Attention focused on the Pakubuwono X Clock Tower and the Hamengkubuwono IX Monument, two icons representing major historical junctures at the centre of the Mataram Islamic empire.

The journey continued to Batik Creative in Kampung Purbayan. Here, participants were invited to slow down and immerse themselves in a sensory experience through the batik-making process. Holding a canting and applying wax to a piece of white cloth provided both creative freedom and an understanding of the meticulous craftsmanship that lies at the heart of Indonesia’s traditional textiles. The tranquil village atmosphere added depth to the cultural experience for the participants.

Travelling Through Time at Omah Kalang

The route then takes the cyclists to the Intro Living Museum, popularly known as Omah Kalang. This building, with its magnificent architecture, tells the story of the economic prosperity of the gold merchants of yesteryear. The building’s design, which blends local aesthetics with European influences, illustrates just how dynamic the civilisation of Kotagede has been for centuries.

To round off the cultural exploration, all participants returned to the Embung Giwangan Cultural Park. However, the adventure did not end there. The appetising aroma of spices greeted them during the Nasi Bakar Cooking Workshop with Djedjak Rasa. This combination of historical literacy, physical activity and culinary exploration proves that preserving Yogyakarta’s unique character can be achieved through activities that touch upon everyday life.