MALIOBORO

Jalan Malioboro (English: Malioboro Street) is a major shopping street in Yogyakarta, Indonesia; the name is also used more generally for the neighborhood around the street. It lies north-south axis in the line between Yogyakarta Kraton and Mount Merapi. This is in itself is significant to many of the local population, the north south orientation between the palace and the volcano being of importance.
The street is the centre of Yogyakarta's largest tourist district surrounded with many hotels and restaurants nearby. Sidewalks on both sides of the street are crowded with small stalls selling a variety of goods. In the evening several open-air streetside restaurants, called lesehan, operate along the street. Less obvious to the tourist, but more for the local population, side streets, lanes and structures that lead on to Malioboro are as important as the street itself.

 

The street was for many years two-way, but by the 1980s had become one way only, from the railway line (where it starts) to the south - to Beringharjo markets, where it ends. The largest, oldest Dutch era hotel, Hotel Garuda, is located on the street's northern end, on the eastern side adjacent to the railway line. It has the former Dutch era Prime Minister's complex, the kepatihan, on the eastern side.
For many years in the 1980s and later, a cigarette advertisement was placed on the first building south of the railway line - or effectively the last building on Malioboro, which advertised Marlboro cigarettes, no doubt appealing to locals and foreigners who would see a pun with name of the street with a foreign product being advertised.
It does not reach the walls or grounds of the Yogyakarta palace, as Malioboro ceases in name adjacent to the very large market Beringharjo (on the eastern side as well). From this point the street changes name to Jalan Ahmad Yani (Ahmad Yani Street) and has the former Governors residence on the western side, and the old Dutch Fort Vredeburg on the eastern side.

 Down The Road of Flower Bouquet and Souvenir Paradise in The Heart of Jogja

 

The sun was beating down as thousands of people crowded along Malioboro street. They did not just stand on the sidewalk but they ran over up to the road. The atmosphere was so noisy and hectic. Bubbling laughter, screaming car horns, the strains of gamelan cassette, up to shouting traders selling food and toys for children blended into one. After waiting for hours, finally, the expected carnival troupe appeared. Started by Bregada Prajurit Lombok Abang, royal carriage convoy began to walk slowly. All squeezing wanted to see the couple of GKR Bendara and KPH Yudhanegara who continuosly waved and spreaded a friendly smile.
That scene was seen as the party of Kirab Pawiwahan Ageng of Sultan Hamengku Buwono X's youngest daughter from Yogyakarta Palace headed to Bangsal Kepatihan. Thousands of people crammed filling Malioboro Street that stretches from north to south. In Sanskrit, Malioboro means flower bouquets because in the ancient times when the Palace held an event, a mile-long road would be filled with flower bouquets. Although time passed and the era has changed, Malioboro position as the main street where a variety of carnival and celebration being held has never changed. Until now Malioboro, Vredeburg Fort, and Zero Point remain a venue for a variety of carnival starting from the event of Jogja Java Carnival, Chinese Cultural Week, Yogyakarta Arts Festival, Carnival Malioboro, and many others.

Before it turned into a busy street, Malioboro was a quiet road with a tamarind tree growing on the right and left. This road was just passed by people who wanted to go to the Palace or complex areas such as First Indische first in Yogyakarta, for instance, Loji Besar (Vredeburg Fort), Loji Kecil (area next to the Great Hall/Gedung Agung), Loji Kebon (Great Hall/Gedung Agung), as well as Loji Setan (Office of the Parliament/DPRD office). But the existence of Pasar Gede or Beringharjo Market on the south side and the presence of Chinese ethnic residential in Ketandan area gradually boosted the economy in the region. Chinese group made Malioboro as its business canal, so the trade area which was originally based in Beringharjo and Chinatown eventually expanded to the north to Stasiun Tugu (Tugu Train Station). Seeing Malioboro rapidly growing into the pulse of trade and shopping centers, a friend said that Malioboro is the baby talk for "mari yok borong (let’s buy a lot)". In malioboro you can buy desirable range of merchandise ranging from beautiful accessories, unique souvenirs, classic batik, gold and gems to household appliances. For souvenir fans, Malioboro can be a fun hunting paradise. Walking on the shoulder of the road while bargaining a variety of goods sold by street vendors, will be a special experience. Variety of locally made souvenirs like batik, rattan ornament, silver, bamboo handicrafts, leather puppets, blangkon, miniature of traditional vehicles, accessories, until key chains, all can be found easily. If you are good in bargaining, these items can be taken home with a fairly cheap price.

Besides being a trading center, the road which is part of the imaginary axis that connects Parangtritis Beach, Panggung Krapyak, Yogyakarta Palace, Tugu, and Mount Merapi was once a nest as well as perfoming stage by Malioboro artists lead by Umbu Landu Paranggi. From them also, the culture of sitting on the sidewalk was popularized that eventually rooted and is identical to Malioboro. Enjoying a romantic dinner in the sitting stalls while listening to other street artist singing the song "Yogyakarta" from Kla Project will be an experience that is marked in heart. Malioboro is a series of history, stories and memories that are intertwined in the minds of every person who ever visited. The charm of this road had never faded by time. The exoticism of Malioboro continues glowing until now and inspires many people, and forces them to keep coming back to Yogyakarta. As beginning sentence in Melodia poem created by Umbu Landu Paranggi "Love that makes me feel at home occasionally lasts", memories and love of many people towards Malioboro that makes this road continues persisting until now.
Information:
Carnival and the events taking place in the area of Malioboro are normally incidental to the perfomance time that is uncertain. But there are some activities that are regularly held every year such as Jogja Java Carnival that is always held every October, the Yogyakarta Arts Festival in June to July, and the Chinese Cultural Week held close to the celebration of Chinese New Year (Imlek).

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