THE JAVANESE CALENDAR SYSTEM

The Javanese calendar is the calendar system used by Javanese. The Javanese calendar was used by several previous kingdoms, such as the Mataram Sultanate and other kingdoms. These days, the Balinese and the Tengger tribe also use the Javanese calendar system with a system of dividing weeks more than the majority of Javanese.

The Javanese calendar regulates the cycle of the year, month, and week. There are two cycles in the division of the week.

1. Siklus mingguan (Weekly cycle)

The weekly cycle consists of seven days. The initial week count starts from Sunday. The seven-day cycle represents the movement of the moon towards the earth.

2. Pancawara cycle

The Pancawara cycle consists of five days. This week is called ​​pasar or pasaran. ​​  

This Pasaran day is still used by the Javanese as a counting days system in certain events, for example in regulating wedding days and the rules for the peak of buying and selling in traditional markets. In Kotagede Market, Yogyakarta, the peak of buying and selling occurs every Legi ​which was enlivened by poultry and ornamental fish traders. Poultry and ornamental fish traders will only hold merchandise at Kotagede Market every Legi. ​The next day, they will trade in other traditional markets that have ​pasaran Pahing,​for example in Sleman Market, Yogyakarta.

The Javanese calendar is a combination of the Islamic, Hindu and Julian calendar systems from Western culture. Therefore, it is not surprising that this calendar system is quite unique and is still preserved until today. So, what is the week dividing system in your place?