Grebeg Suro Ponorogo

Javanese Muslims celebrate the New Year (1426H)which begins on the first day of the month of Suro (Muharam). One of the highlights of the celebration is the 11th National Reog Festival, held in the town of Ponorogo.

The central feature of the famous reog performance is the gigantic mask, consisting of a tiger's head and fun of peacock leathers weighing upwards of 40kg, worn by a dance in trance. The event begins at 08.00 am.

Other event are art and cultural performances, various contests and products sales. The event is a welcome opportunity for the young people to find matches . It is linked to a popular folktale of the beautiful princes, Putri Mandalika, who was willing to sacrifice herself by jumping in to the sea and promised that she would return in the form of the nyale once of year. Tradition demands that certain rituals should be held preceding the event.