A Weekend Celebration in Kampung Dukuh!

 It all started on Saturday evening at 9 pm ~ a weekend of celebration for the people of this community we live in DUKUH (kampung) A Big tent covering was put up and large stage right

 on a street here in the village.  We walked over there and already heard the music!  Lots of people sitting down and were ready for the Wayang show and Gemalan music.  People were welcomed and...
 show began!  What is lined up there on the stage left & right are the Wayang puppets.  The man in the middle there has a microphone attached and he is also doing the puppet show with his two hands!

 Here is a close up of the stage and the story begins with a good guy and a bad guy....of course!
The people on stage play the different instruments....many gongs & drums and there was also 3 ladies dressed in the traditional clothes and singing! 
The story goes on - with all the puppets being used!  We stayed till 12 midnight and sat with our friends & neighbors Pak Jono & Kasum!  Kasum invited us to come and meet her friend who lived on the very street this was held on - to come have a cup of tea...Bu Sido & her husband were to welcoming and kind to invite us into their home!  They had tea ready and snacks!  They we went home to get some rest for the next morning the parade would start around 8 am!

It was Sunday morning and Kasum said the people from the village would begin to gather between 8-9 am.  

 

There was flags put up even right there on our corner!  

 We all headed toward the beginning point - where everyone would line up! Here are the ladies that I met with the other day - at the local RT (Kampung) meeting - they were all dressed in their village outfits!

 They men in turn - the group that Nick has met with - were also gathering and they had made a big Catfish on a cart - the theme from the parade was giving thanks for the bounty of the year's harvest!

 Here is the group of gals...all so very friendly and I was excited to take a picture of them together in their traditional wear and with their sign!

 

The sign says "Village House Peacock" 

I think it represents the name of the group.  

Oh by the way there in the middle is Kasum on her knee...she is a sweetheart!  Teaches me Indonesian and she lives 2 doors down from us with her husband Pak Jono and they are ever so helpful and always ready to help or explain things to us! 

 Here they come.....

 Yes ballons for the kiddies.....lots of color!

 

This was a nice decoration that hung from the light fixture..all made from a corn stalk we think! 

 This is a plate of food - traditional - when there is a special celebration!

 Birthday's, holiday's, Remember the ladies from the hotels that we give English lessons to..also gave me this for my Birthday?

 

There is Pak Jono and Kasum daughter too - with her girlfriends! She has her hands on her hips...

Hi Intan!!!!

 We still see many women carrying their goods like this on the streets! Especially in the pasar(market place)

 Oh Look how cute these gals are! Also carrying the bounty of fruits and vegetables!

                                             A cute pose for the photography! Say "cheese!'

 The little train had lots of produce hanging from it and it was full of children..what fun for them today!

                           This little guy was all dressed up and held the Indonesian flap in his hand!

 

Oh Look at the ladies all dressed up - pretty huh? Lots of warm smiles!

These two kids were sitting up high on a horse and cart...they looked pretty serious when this tall person with that light here showed up!

                                    Lions and Tigers and wild animals were at the parade too!

                                                                 A pretty butterfly???

                                                      She sure seems HIGH up there! 

         The ladies with their drummers both girls and boys! Look how cute they all posed for me!

 Here is little Mohammad - remember?  He is 3 yrs old and the grandson of our landlord...He called out "Pak Nico! Pak Nico...it is me Mohammad....Pak Nico!!!!" He is very fond of Nick! He was all smiles there in the train..and sis Karina too was in the train...(purple)
look at that little guy next to Mohammad....was he surprised or what?

 There is our "dokar" driver who brought us home with our groceries!  Salamat Pagi Pak!

 

Hi William and Stacey...you both look wonderful all dressed up!  

They both are teachers at the Mountain View Christian High School (SI)

 We raced ahead to the house to see them pass by!

 There is Pak Jono in the blue

 

"RT" in the white shirt is our Village head...and he is the one Nick & I went to - to introduce ourselves when we first moved into the community!  He is really nice and stops by to chat with a Big smile! 

                                     Well the parade is coming to the end now...and down our street they go!

 Yes it was a great morning and celebration!  Everyone had a good time!

 

The End ~  We went into the house and later that afternoon there was still another event but for a younger crowd...mostly teenagers.