'Rambut Gimbal' Purification Ritual

A Dieng family as they watch the Ruwatan Rambut Gimbal parade near Arjuna Temple in Central Java on 3 September 2022. Children with rambut gimbal (dreadlocked hair) are considered special in the region, especially those with a reddish tint in their locks. A child’s hair usually starts to become tangled when he or she turns 2. Their hair stays tangled even though it is washed and combed regularly. According to residents of Dieng Plateau, the dreadlocks came from Kyai Kolodete, a tumenggung (clan leader) from the semimythological kingdom Medang Kamulan who initiated civilization in the area. Kyai Kolodete was believed to have dreadlocks and be fond of children, and he said that dreadlocked children were his offspring and Dieng Plateau residents must love them, too. At least three different types of dreadlocks can be found in Dieng Plateau. The first is gimbal pari, which grows long, forming small ties resembling rice flowers. The second type, gimbal jatha, has thicker locks that are clearly separated from one another. Lastly, gimbal wedhus looks like the fleece of a sheep. Residents of Dieng Plateau believe that only a haircut ritual led by elder members of the community would make the children’s hair grow straight. Meanwhile, parents of gimbal-haired children are required to fulfill the children’s requests, however strange or seemingly impossible. (Photo by Afriadi Hikmal/NurPhoto)

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