The Consumption of Tradition and Heritage Areas in the Grebeg Sudiro Event in Surakarta

Abstract

Cultural heritage cannot be separated from the traditions and identity of a society. However, heritage and tradition have become commodities for tourist consumption. They become interesting for tourists who look for ‘authentic’ experiences. Some of the so-called traditions commodified for tourism are intentionally made for a specific purpose. In this case it fits Hobsbawm’s concept of ‘invented tradition’. This paper focuses on the Grebeg Sudiro event, carried out by the Sudiroprajan community, in the city of Surakarta. This invented tradition has been held every Lunar New Year since 2008 in the Pasar Gede heritage area. The relationships between an invented tradition, tourism consumption, and place identity in a heritage area will be examined in this article. This article will highlight how heritage area as the venue for this event plays role in Grebeg Sudiro and how tourists can consume this tradition along with the heritage place as the venue. This research uses qualitative case study approach. Interviews conducted purposively and direct observations during the event were conducted to note and record the use of cultural heritage areas in the Grebeg Sudiro event, as well as to see how consumption of tradition takes place. Pasar Gede as a place of activity is considered as an interesting object and is considered to represent the identity of Sudiroprajan community. It can be said that invented traditions, cultural heritage identity, and tourism consumption are closely interrelated and complementary.