ARRIVING early at Wisma Bharata Pamulang this evening, I walked along the overhang on the south side of the Pendopo (pavilion) which is used for group Latihans every Wednesdays and Saturdays. I walked to what I previously thought was the back. There is a Subud symbol on the roof of the “back” verandah, while there is none on the “front” which is connected to the corridor leading to Bapak’s house.
So it’s true, the “back” (so I thought all this time) is actually the “front” of the Pendopo. Some of the members I informed, especially those who did not understand Javanese culture, were also surprised by this fact. It turns out, just like me, they thought they were entering and leaving the Pendopo through the “front door”, though it was actually the back door.
In Javanese tradition, a Pendopo is always located in front of a house, for it functions as a place to receive guests. Most government office buildings in Central Java, Yogyakarta and East Java today maintain this tradition; there is always a pavilion in the front yard to receive guests or to hold small-scale events.
Seen via Google Maps, Bapak’s house and the Pendopo face west, which according to several senior helpers and members Bapak did on purpose with the intention of facing in the direction of the Kaaba (qibla).©2024
Pondok
Cabe, South Tangerang, January 17, 2024
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