Tradition Concept in Kauman Yogyakarta Settlement As A Representation of Javanese Cultural Values

Abstract

The Kauman settlement in Yogyakarta is an urban village settlement that is almost three centuries old and located at the heart of the Yogyakarta business and tourism center. The settlement was founded in 1775 by Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono I as housing facility for the abdi dalem (palace employees) on religious affairs. The settlement has undergone many changes influenced by politics, power and globalization that eventually brought modernization to the settlement. Starting from 1912, the settlement began to be strongly influenced by Muhammadiyah organization. Even though the Kauman settlement is now an open community and no longer part of the palace bureaucracy, its people still practice the way of life based on Javanese cultural values supported by piety in practicing Islamic rules in daily life from generation to generation. The Kauman settlement today exist authentically as both a Muslim society and part of the Javanese traditional culture. This authenticity is visible in the settlement layout and the buildings within, which reflect a calm and cozy urban village settlement with its own characteristics amidst the business and tourism center of Yogyakarta.

Keywords : Settlement, Kauman Yogyakarta, Tradition, Javanese culture