Labuhan Merapi is part of a series of commemorations of Tingalan Jumenengan Dalem or the 36th anniversary of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X's reign as King of the Ngayogyakarta Palace. The Labuhan Merapi ceremony is carried out by climbing a sacred path with thousands of people as an event to introduce the traditional traditions of Yogyakarta.
The Labuhan Merapi ceremony, which is held every year, not only functions to maintain the sustainability of traditional traditions but also to present art and cultural performances in Yogyakarta. Art and cultural performances are also presented to enliven Labuhan Merapi, such as the classical Sekar Pudyastuti dance and the shadow puppet performance of the Lampahan Wahyu Kalimosodo play.
The Labuhan Merapi ceremony is held openly from the Mbah Maridjan hermitage house in Kinahrejo Cangkringan, Sleman, led directly by the Merapi Key Keeper Mas Kliwon Suraksohargo Asihono who is familiarly called Mbah Asih. The group walked up about 2.5 kilometers to Srimanganti, where the Labuhan Merapi Ceremony procession was held on Friday (1/30/2025), at 06.00 WIB.
According to Mbah Asih, the Labuhan Merapi tradition aims to ask for safety and to be kept away from disasters, especially for the people of Yogyakarta. Not only that, it is hoped that this ceremony can also keep the community safe and peaceful if in the future Merapi erupts.
This tradition also features several ubarampe (subframe) that are anchored in Bangsal Srimanganti, but are not left behind, but are given to people in need. Several foods are distributed to the community, in the form of rice balls and side dishes that have been prayed for.
"All ubarampe (subframe) have their meaning. For example, the Semekan Banguntulak ubarampe (subframe) means warding off disasters or disasters, so that the community is kept away from bad things," explained Mbah Asih.
The Labuhan Merapi Ceremony is a magnet or attraction for tourists from within and outside Yogyakarta.