Yogyakarta Palace Troops
The Yogyakarta Sultanate was formed from the split of the Mataram Sultanate when two princes fought for Dutch influence. One of the princes, seeking to become the first Sultan of Yogyakarta, formed an army that still exists today. The Kraton Army was formed by the first Sultan of Yogyakarta, Hamengkubuwono I, during the feudal era around the mid-18th century and consists of 13 brigades or regiments.
Each unit listed below originates from a different geographic location around the Kraton. All are nearly feudal, meaning they are still provided with land and are expected to provide military service and produce from their allocated land. Each unit is led by a captain assisted by a number of panji, who are like sergeants-majors who issue orders and organize the troops. Each section is led by a sergeant. All captains are under the command of a Pandega, while the highest rank is a Manggalayudha. Some units also have unique command arrangements, though they are not listed below. Joining a unit can take a long time due to long waiting lists. These units march slowly, often with a swaying motion as they move from one foot to the other. Furthermore, the heirlooms mentioned below are sacred artifacts from the Kraton's collection, believed to possess magical or spiritual significance.
The hierarchy of each object is listed below.
- Wirobraja
Flag: Coconut Sugar
Costume: A red coat and trousers, white socks, and black vantoffel shoes. They also have a red satin wrap. The hat is called a Lombokan, or red chili.
Heirlooms: Kanjeng Kyai Santri and Kanjeng Kyai Slamet.
Instruments: Drums and flute. The melodies are called paddling (for fast marching) and Retadadeli (for slow and normal marching).
Weapons: Firearms and spears.
Note: Wirobraja is always the first due to their role as the front line in battle. There are four bannermen, eight sergeants, 72 privates, and two standard bearers. The names of the soldiers in this unit usually begin with Brojo.
- Daheng
Flag: Bahning Sari
Costume: White shirt and pants with a red horizontal stripe across the belly. Black Mancungan hat with red and white rooster feathers.
Heirloom: His Holiness Kyai Jatimulya.
Instruments: Drums, flutes, small gongs, tom-tom drums, pui-pui, and kecer. The melodies are called Ondal-andil (for fast marching) and Kenobo (for slow and normal marching).
Weapons: Firearms and spears.
Note: This army traditionally originates from Gowa in Sulawesi, and all soldiers' names contain the word Niti. There were four ensigns, eight sergeants, 72 privates, and one standard bearer. In the early 1800s, this unit numbered around 100 men.
- Patangpuluh
Flag: Cakragara.
Costume: A red coat and red knickers over white pants, black shoes and a red and black hat.
Heirloom: Kanjeng Kyai Trisula.
Instruments: Drums, flute and trumpet. The melody is called Bulu-bulu (for fast marching) and Gendara (for slow and normal marching).
Weapons: Firearms and spears.
Note: Historically, this unit was known to be the bravest and most unyielding. All of these soldiers had names accompanied by the word Himo. There were four ensigns, eight sergeants, 72 privates, and one standard bearer. They came from the west of the palace.
- Jagakarya
Flag: Papasan.
Costume: A golden yellow coat. Dark blue stockings with black shoes. A black winged hat.
Heirloom: Kanjeng Kyai Trisula.
Instruments: Drums, flutes, trumpets. The melodies are called Tameng Madura (for fast marching) and Slagunder (for slow and normal marching).
Weapons: Firearms, spears and keris.
Note: All soldiers in this brigade have Parto's name attached to their names. There are four ensigns, eight sergeants, 72 privates, and one standard bearer. They come from south of the Kraton.
- Prawirotama
Flag: Geniroga.
Costume: Black jacket and white trousers. They wear red trousers and black boots. Their hats resemble coral.
Heirloom: Kanjeng Kyai Trisula.
Instruments: Drums, flute and trumpet. The melody is called Pandeburg (for fast marching) and Mars Balang (for slow and normal marching).
Note: Historically, this unit consisted of 1000 members from the former Mataram Sultanate who supported Prince Mangkubumi against the Dutch (VOC). Today, it consists of four bannermen, four sergeants, and 72 privates. All soldiers in this unit have the Prawiro (Sword) attached to their names. They come from the southern region of the Kraton.
- Responsibility
Flag: Cakraswandana.
Costume: A distinctive striped ketanggung cloth and black trousers over white trousers with black shoes. Their hat is called a Mancungan.
Heritage: Kanjeng Kyai Nanggolo.
Instruments: Drums, flutes, trumpets, and a few gongs. The melodies are Bergola Milir (for slow or normal marching) or Lintik Emas (fast marching) and Harjuno Mangsah or Bima Kurda.
Weapons: Firearms with bayonets and spears.
Note: There are four bannermen, eight sergeants, 72 privates, and one soldier. They also serve as prosecutors at the Kraton and often act as guards when the Sultan travels outside the Kraton. The names of soldiers in this unit end with "Joyo."
- Mantrijero
Flag: Purnamasidi.
Costume: traditional style coat and trousers over white stockings with black vantoffel shoes and a black hat.
Heirloom: Kanjeng Kyai Cakra.
Instruments: Drums, flute and trumpet. The melody is called Plangkeman (for fast march) and Slagunder (for slow or normal march).
Weapons: Firearms and spears.
Note: There are eight ensigns, eight sergeants, 64 privates, and one bearer. They are commanded by the district administrator, Bupatior. Joyo, Bahu, Prawiro, and Rono are the names associated with this unit.
- Nyutra
Flags: Padma Sri Kresna and Podang Ngisep Sari.
Costume: Black coat and trousers with dark blue and white cloth. There are two types of hats, a black kuluk and a cylindrical udeng.
Heirloom: Kanjeng Kyai Trisula.
Instruments: Drums, flutes, and trumpets. The melodies are called Sureng Prang (for fast marching) and Tam-tama balik (for slow or normal marching).
Weapons: Firearms, spears and keris.
Note: There were eight ensigns, eight sergeants, 46 privates and two bearers. They were used as companions for coronation ceremonies and had no actual war role. They are traditionally dancers as well. They came from the east of the Kraton. Their names are usually taken from wayang dramas.
- Buggy
Flag: Wulan ndadari.
Costume: Black trousers, jacket and hat are also black.
Heirloom: Nile.
Instruments: Drums, pui-pui, gongs and small tom-toms. their melody is Endroloko.
Weapon: Spear
Note: This troop originally came from the Bugis region of South Sulawesi. They were tasked with guarding the Sultan's Chief Minister, as well as overseeing Garebeg and other ceremonies. Their names usually included Rangsang. From the early 1800s to the present, there are approximately 40 members.
- Surakarta
Flag: Pare Anom.
Costume: white coat and trousers, cloth around the waste and sandals.
Heirloom: Nile.
Instruments: Drums and flute. The melody is Plangkenan.
Weapon: Spear.
Note: They had officers called Penewu, 64 soldiers and bearers. They are tasked with guarding the crown prince and the 'mountain' of offerings used in the Garebeg ceremony.
- Sumoatmaojo
This was the Sultan's personal guard and came directly under his command. There were two bannermen, two sergeants, and 16 soldiers. They wore armor and carried large sickle-shaped shields. They wore buffalo leather armor and helmets, but no shoes. They also carried short swords. Their faces and bodies were covered with yellow dust. When they performed their bodyguard duties, they appeared to dance. Wikipedia has a photo of one of the Sultan's guards from the 1880s.
- Jager
The Dutch term "Jager" means hunter. This unit consisted of a bannerman, two sergeants, and 58 soldiers. They had no flag or special symbols, nor did they have a distinctive uniform, but wore traditional Javanese clothing. They were armed with rifles.
- Langenastro
This unit is tasked with guarding the Sultan during the Garebeg ceremony. They are additional troops in the Mantrijero Brigade. They wore the same uniform as the Mantrijero Brigade but did not carry rifles, instead they were armed with short swords.
