Students from the Cakra Wirya KKN-PPM UGM team participated in the Kenduri Suronan celebration in Potorono, Bantul, Yogyakarta, shortly after arriving in the village in June 2026. The event was held as part of the community’s commemoration of the Javanese New Year and introduced the students to local cultural traditions and community activities.
The celebration began in the afternoon with Jamasan Pusaka, a traditional ritual involving the cleansing of heirlooms, including keris and spears. In the evening, residents gathered for a communal meal and a cultural discussion featuring invited speakers, including a philosophy student from UGM. The KKN students were also invited to attend the event and interact with local residents.
The celebration involved residents from different age groups, each contributing to the preparations and activities. Men helped prepare the venue, while women performed gamelan music after practicing regularly for approximately one month. Younger residents also assisted with food preparation and the traditional procession.
These activities demonstrated the involvement of different generations in organizing the annual celebration. Residents carried out their respective responsibilities while maintaining their daily activities, reflecting collective participation in preserving local cultural practices.
The students also experienced the community’s hospitality through the communal meal and opportunities to participate in the celebration. Their involvement allowed them to observe how cultural traditions are maintained through cooperation among residents.
For members of the Cakra Wirya team who came from Jakarta and surrounding areas, the celebration provided an opportunity to experience community activities that may differ from their everyday environments. Through their participation, the students observed how residents in Potorono maintained cultural traditions through collective involvement, despite the village’s proximity to Yogyakarta city and UGM.
The Kenduri Suronan celebration also provided an opportunity for interaction between university students and local residents beyond formal KKN activities. The event demonstrated the role of community participation in sustaining cultural heritage and introducing local traditions to younger generations.
The participation of the Cakra Wirya KKN-PPM UGM team in the Kenduri Suronan celebration contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by supporting the preservation of local cultural heritage and traditional practices through community participation across generations; SDG 4 (Quality Education) by providing students with opportunities for experiential and intercultural learning through direct engagement with local traditions, customs, and community values; and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering collaboration and interaction between university students and local residents in cultural activities. Through this engagement, the initiative highlights the importance of cultural exchange, intergenerational participation, and university-community partnerships in sustaining local heritage and strengthening community connections.
Author: Mustika Sari Cahya Ayudya
