Sudiroprajan: The History of Javanese-Chinese Socio-Cultural Integration Within the Cultural Space of Grebeg Sudiro

Sudiroprajan: Sejarah Integrasi Sosial Jawa-Tionghoa dalam Ruang Budaya Grebeg Sudiro

Abstract

Ethnic relations between the Chinese and Javanese in Indonesia are frequently confined to narratives of conflict and segregation. However, the phenomenon in Sudiroprajan, Surakarta, presents a contradictory reality through the tradition of Grebeg Sudiro. This article aims to reconstruct the history of the Sudiroprajan settlement and analyze the process of Javanese-Chinese harmonization reflected in the celebration of Grebeg Sudiro. The study employs the historical method, comprising topic selection, heuristics, verification, interpretation, and historiography. The topic was selected based on the author's intellectual interest in Javanese-Chinese acculturation and the accessibility of relevant historical sources. The heuristic stage involved gathering written sources from scholarly journals and archival records, followed by source criticism and synthesis during the verification and interpretation phases. The final results are presented through a chronological historiography. The findings indicate that the cultural acculturation within Grebeg Sudiro is a manifestation of the long historical journey of Chinese ancestors in Surakarta, fostered by a harmonious relationship with the Javanese society, particularly the Kasunanan Palace. Grebeg Sudiro is not merely an annual festivities but serves as an organic social integration model, proving that ethnic differences can be managed through positive cultural modification. This research underscores the importance of cultural assimilation as an instrument for strengthening national harmony within urban environments.