Universitas Muhammadiyah Purworejo (UMPWR) - The Javanese Language and Literature Education Study Programme (PBSJ) once again held a cultural practice entitled "Manten Gagrak Jogja", a representation of the Yogyakarta-style Javanese traditional wedding procession. This activity was carried out as part of the Final Semester Examination (UAS) of the Pranatacara Manten course for 6th semester students and was held in the Seminar Room of the Rectorate Building, UMPWR East Campus, on Thursday, 3 July 2025.
The event featured a complete series of Javanese traditional wedding processions. In addition to the 6th semester students who took the UAS of the Pranatacara Manten course, this activity also involved 4th semester students and those who participated in the theatre. Students played an active role as the main actors, both as brides, families, hosts, to sinden and pengrawit. Their performances showed a deep understanding of Javanese cultural values, both conceptually and practically.
Lecturer of the Pranatacara Manten course, Zuly Qurniawati, S.Pd., M.Hum., said that this activity aims to foster students' love for local culture while strengthening their competence as future educators and cultural preservationists. ‘This practice is a concrete space for students to experience and internalise the philosophical meaning behind the Javanese manten tradition, not just knowing in theory,’ she said.
Furthermore, with this activity, students can also become Wedding Event Organisers (EO). Zuly also hopes that the PBSJ department will be able to provide benefits to the wider community about the real Javanese cultural wedding customs, and provide learning knowledge for younger siblings.
This activity received positive appreciation from the UMPWR academic community who also witnessed it directly. It is hoped that through activities like this, UMPWR PBSJ Study Program can continue to be the vanguard of local culture preservation in the midst of globalisation. (akb/KP).
