Great Grebeg Demak ( Grebeg Besar Demak )

Great Grebeg Demak is a large traditional cultural event that became one characteristic of Demak City. Demak Great Grebeg tradition takes place every year on the 10th Dzulhijah or when Eid al-Adha which is celebrate in every moeslem .

               The process of Great Grebeg Besar demak is first pilgrimage to graveyard of Sultan Demak and Sunan Kalijaga. The implementation do with the regent and the placeman and their couple. First on the Sultan Demak graveyard at Agung Demak Mosque and go on to graveyard of Sunan Kalijaga in Kadilangu, Demak. The pilgrimate is implemented at 4pm. It is about 10 days before 10 Dzulhijah or Eid al-Adha.Other celebrate is night market in the Tembiring Jogo Indah, the night market about a month. It is before Eid al-Adha until a week after Eid al- Adha. This celebrate is open by regent. When night market many people from Demak came to night market. The night market consist of many seller which sell many things, such as ; suits, food, household appliances, toys, etc. in the night market also consist of other entertain. Such as in recreational venicle. You can enjoy recreational venicle with low prize. The price about 5.000 rupiahs for a person at a venicle.

               At the night Eid al- Adha, the next celebration is “Salvation of Tumpeng nine”. That is begin at mid-night. The location is in Agung Demak Mosque. Before nine Tumpeng was scramble, the nine tumpeng was bring from district hall with scholars and students and other guest was invited to Masjid Agung Demak. The nine tumpeng is the icon of Wali Sanga which contain of nine of wali which was distributed Islam religion in Java Island, This salvation do every year in order to Demak residence get blessing safe and happy in the world and hereafter from God. This salvation begin with public recitation then continue with pray together. Previously, tumpeng nine will scramble by visitors. But, right now visitors will get food. the regent gives food in order to people not scramble in order to get tumpeng nine and during recent years tumpeng nine didn’t share to visitor. As a change, regent gives food to change tumpeng nine. Whereas at Kadilangu also do that same activity is called “Ancakan Salvation”. The purpose of that salvation is in order to get blessing from God , elders and people which do ‘Penjamasan” or wash heritage can do their duty fluently without any hitch when the process and for respect the guests and stay in touch each others.

               The next process is pray Eid together at the Agung Demak Mosque with regent, after that the regent submit sacrificial animals. Later on, the process is Penjamasan ( wash heritage ). The wash heritage is begin after pray Eid al-Adha in Sunan Kalijaga graveyard, Kadilangu, Demak. The heritages consist of Kutang Ontokusuma and Kyai Crubuk Ceremonial knive. The wash heritage have mean in order to after wash the heritages, moeslem can back purify themselves and improve their faith and pray to God. As long as elders wash the heritages prohibited to see the heritages. The myth, if someone see the heritages they are will be blind. Before do the carnival, the ceremony is open with traditional dance Bedhoyo Tunggal Jiwo then continueThe carnival culture which begins from Demak Regency Hall up to Sunan Kalijaga Kadilangu which located in the village, the location about 2 kilometers from the start of the event. If the carnival is finish, the celebrate of Great Grebeg Demak is over.