"Ajining raga saka busana". The Javanese proverb tries to remind us that other people will respect us according to the clothes we wear. Even some people say that clothes are the way we represent our emotions and personality, as well as how we want others to perceive us.

Nusantara Literature, which has now changed its name to Javanese Literature, is one of them Study Program in the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. Through its name, It is a means for an individual to know more about the existing culture in the Archipelago/Nusantara. Through this name, many foreign students from abroad come to wish to study Indonesian culture and take one or several subject  studying in this study program.

More than just learning about cultural diversity, this Study Program provides an example in a real way through the use of Indonesian clothing when studying. Change of name Nusantara Literature into Javanese Literature does not mean that only Javanese customs are studied, as well as the traditional clothing worn on campus.

This Nusantara traditional clothing is used as a means for students to show their identity to the public. This agenda is a program of the Departmental Student Association (HMJ) which requires students to wear traditional Indonesian clothing every Thursday first week of every month.

"We are Indonesians, so we show that this is our culture, not only Javanese culture but all the cultures that exist in the archipelago”. Said Abigail, one Javanese Literature students also wear traditional palace clothes.

Initially, it was only a program from HMJ KAMASUTRA, but students appreciated it by using it compactly. If you enter FIB, you will see the difference between Javanese Literature students and other students.

While others use casual clothes in general, Javanese Literature Students idealistically wear a kebaya, as if there was a palace ceremony at UGM. Others wore Balinese traditional clothes as if there was a group from Bali visiting the campus.

According to Sri Ratna Sakti, head of the Javanese Literature Study Program, the traditional clothes worn by students will directly influence the behavior of their students little by little.

“Formerly they wore pants, now they wear scarves when they change using a student automatic scarf is not easy to jegeng, right? she added.

In the future, this tradition will continue to be carried out as a real manifestation of The study program applies the knowledge learned in lectures. “The real example does not come from words but from real actions.” It is hoped that students and their alma mater will be able to continue to uphold the noble values of Mother Earth's culture in the Nusantara. (Roman Ahmad).

Published by: kintani.inagita.swasti

Republished by: haryountoro