Tumpeng Procession on the Slopes of Muria, Duplak Youth’s Effort to Ward Off Disaster

At the end of March, the atmosphere in Dukuh Duplak, Tempur Village, Keling Subdistrict — located about 36 kilometers from the center of Jepara Regency — felt different. Amid the recurring shadow of landslides, residents gathered with faces full of hope.

They came not merely to witness a tradition, but also to nurture a shared belief: that humanity can make peace with nature. That morning, the tumpeng procession themed Syukur Alam Ruwat Semesta (Gratitude to Nature for the Cleansing of the Universe) was held once again.

A procession of tumpeng was carried slowly along the village roads, passing residents’ homes, heading toward Punden Mbah Robyong — a sacred site that serves as a meeting point between humans, ancestors, and nature.

This procession is not just an annual ritual, but also a collective effort to reject disaster, while expressing gratitude for life that continues on the slopes of Mount Muria.

Ahmad Yudi Irawan, affectionately known as Wawan, a representative of Duplak’s youth, explained that this activity has been passed down by their ancestors for a long time. However, in 2013, the youth grouped under the Arjuna organization took the initiative to give it a fresh touch so the tradition would remain alive and relevant to the current generation.

“We, on behalf of the Arjuna youth, are once again holding the tumpeng procession with the theme Syukur Alam Ruwat Semesta. This is our ancestral heritage, but we package it more vibrantly so it stays relevant,” he said.

In the hands of the youth, this tradition is not only preserved but also reinterpreted. The tumpeng procession no longer stands alone as a cultural symbol; it is combined with real actions to protect the environment.

Since morning, residents along with volunteers and nature lover communities planted trees at several landslide-prone points. The land, long vulnerable, is expected to grow stronger again as new roots take hold and stabilize the slopes.

Not long after, the sky above Duplak was filled with the release of birds. The freely flapping wings became a simple yet profound symbol: hope for nature’s restoration, and a reminder that humans are not the only inhabitants of the earth.

“I think this is not just about culture, but also our concern as youth for nature and wildlife,” said Wawan.

As midday approached, before the procession began, a simple stage at the foot of the mountains was filled with dances from the Arjuna youth arts studio. The music and dancers’ movements created a warm atmosphere — an opening that affirmed how art, tradition, and nature are interconnected.

The procession then began. The tumpeng were paraded along the village paths, serving as symbols of gratitude and prayer. Residents walked together; some carried agricultural produce, while others captured the moment with their devices. Along the route, the atmosphere was both solemn and communal.

Upon reaching Punden Mbah Robyong, the event continued with a joint prayer. Residents sat in a circle, offering hopes that disasters would soon subside. Afterward, a communal meal (*kenduri*) was held — both a shared feast and a meaningful closing that emphasized togetherness.

“The tumpeng are paraded along the Duplak route to Punden Mbah Robyong. Once there, we pray together and then hold the kenduri,” Wawan explained.

For the people of Duplak, the tumpeng procession is not merely an annual ceremony. It is a space where the past meets the present, where ancestral beliefs meet the ecological awareness of the younger generation.

In the midst of the landslide threat still looming over Tempur Village, this activity shows the opposite: the community’s determination to continue living in harmony with nature, rather than opposing it.

Interestingly, residents’ enthusiasm has grown year after year. Participants in the procession now come not only from Duplak but also from surrounding areas. This is a sign that collective awareness to preserve culture and the environment is growing more broadly.

“We hope all elements of society — from elders to the government — will continue to support us as the younger generation,” he added.

On the slopes of Muria, the tumpeng procession has now become more than just a tradition. It has transformed into a common language for nurturing the hope that nature will once again be kind, and that life will continue as it always has.

And among the tumpeng, the dances, the released birds, and the newly planted trees, the people of Duplak entrust a simple prayer: that humans and nature may once again be in harmony, protecting and strengthening one another.