In this film the central role played by the two archaic palace gamelan sekati, K.K. Gunturmadu and K.K. Nagawilaga, in the yearly Sekaten ceremony (commemoration of the birth of Mohammed) is documented. Once-a-year over a seven-day period, Javanese traditionalists have an opportunity to hear these pusaka gamelans in their primary role as indices of Islam and to be reminded of the inherited responsibility of the Sultan to serve as the protector of religion (“sayidin panata gama“) and the successor of Mohammed (“kalifatulah“). Examples of the reverence for these gamelans held by members of the traditional negara and of the practices associated with their yearly appearance are displayed in this film.
