In order to celebrate the 57th anniversary, the Faculty of Philosophy, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held a karawitan festival that lasted for two days, on July 20–21, 2024. The festival was attended by 47 musical groups, both internal and external, at Universitas Gadjah Mada. One of the groups that performed at the event was Gamelan Sastra Nusantara (Gamasutra).
Gamelan Sastra Nusantara (Gamasutra) is a unit consisting of students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM. The group focuses on studying, deepening, and presenting the musical arts. On Sunday, July 21, 2024, precisely at 01.00 PM WIB, Gamasutra took the stage for their performance. The performers, consisting of various generations, presented Gending Ladrang Bogasampir, Ketawang Kasatriyan, and Lancaran Sebet in Laras slendro pathet sanga.
Quoted in full from Philosophy UGM (2024, July 21). Festival Karawitan Dies Natalis ke 57 Fakultas Filsafat UGM Hari ke-2 Sesi 2. Youtube. [32:36], https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQYastAouYg
Reporting from gloriabarus on the philosophy.ugm.ac.id page (2024, July 20), Dr. Rr. Siti Murtiningsih, S.S., M.Hum., dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, explained in her speech that the existence of the karawitan festival is a place to enjoy, preserve, and absorb the philosophical values of this traditional Javanese musical art. In this case, Gamasutra, as an extension of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, participates in this collaboration with the aim of preserving and reviving this noble art. Through the karawitan festival, it is hoped that the karawitan art can continue to be appreciated and developed, not only remaining beautiful and sustainable, but also relevant, alive, and useful in the lives of Indonesian people.
Philosophy UGM (2024, July 21). Festival Karawitan Dies Natalis ke 57 Fakultas Filsafat UGM Hari ke-2 Sesi 2. Youtube. [32:36], from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQYastAouYg
Wednesday (17/07/2024), Pura Pakualaman held a traditional ceremony of Labuhan at Glagah Beach, Glagah Sub-district, Kapanewon Temon, Kulon Progo Regency, Yogyakarta. This Labuhan ceremony is held every 10 Muharram or 10 Sura. Together with a lecturer and servant of Pura Pakualaman, Dr. Ratna Saktimulya, M.Hum., as many as 20 students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) had the opportunity to follow the Labuhan traditional procession.
In its implementation, there are special provisions in the form of clothing that must be worn by students. The students' clothes are traditional Pranakan clothes and jarit, while the female students' clothes are kebaya and jarit. The participants gathered at 06.00 WIB at Pura Pakualaman before continuing the journey to Pesanggrahan Glagah by bus. Once there, students followed a series of ceremonies and blessings. The Ubarampe that had been prayed for was then paraded, and the participants followed it to Joglo Labuhan. Some gunungan are then thrown into the sea.
The procurement of this Labuhan tradition is a form of gratitude to God Almighty, praying for the ancestors, and hoping for safety, health, and prosperity for the community. For students, the Labuhan tradition at Glagah Beach is a golden opportunity to dive directly into and understand this fair form of Javanese culture. This direct cultural experience and interaction is expected to be a means of developing their scientific competence.
Thus, the opportunity given by Pura Pakualaman to the students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program is a real effort to build understanding as well as steps to preserve Javanese culture.
The National Library and École française d'Extrême-Orient (EFEO) collaborated and held an international intensive course in Old Javanese on July 01-10, 2024. This activity took place at The Cangkringan Jogja Villas & Spa, Umbulharjo, Cangkringan, Sleman, Yogyakarta, and was attended by 25 participants from various backgrounds. Experts in the field of Old Javanese were present to train the participants to understand the intricacies of the Old Javanese language.
The Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), participated in this activity. Two lecturers of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, namely Nurmalia Habibah, S.S., M.A., and Zakariya Pamuji Aminullah, S.S., M.A., attended as lecturers. In addition, Haryo Untoro, a student from the same study program, became one of the participants in the intensive course.
Nurmalia Habibah, S.S., M.A., guided the participants in studying the text of Adiparwa
Learning the Kakawin Ramayana text with Zakariya Pamuji Aminullah, S.S., M.A.
For 10 days, the participants practiced the Old Javanese language. In the first five days, the first thing to understand was the morphosyntax of the Old Javanese language. The next five days, the participants began to explore works that use the Old Javanese language, such as Adiparwa, Kakawin Ramayana, Pararaton, Landa Inscription, and others. In addition, participants also participated in an excursion program to several ancient sites of the Hindu-Buddhist period, namely Sewu Temple, Plaosan Temple, and Ratu Boko Temple.
The intensive course in Old Javanese aims to train philologists in the field of Old Javanese and encourage international collaboration in this rare field. The field of Old Javanese plays an important role in revealing various treasures of the past, both in culture, knowledge, history, and other matters. Exploring these treasures is an effort to reveal the identity of the nation and improve the quality of education. To achieve these goals, cooperation from various parties is needed to realize the sustainability of the Old Javanese field and be relevant to the times.
On Wednesday, (05/27/2024), the 7th floor Soegondo Auditorium was full of gratitude and happiness. The smiles of the graduates who have successfully completed their studies and achieved satisfactory results. The submission of graduation documents in the form of diplomas and academic transcripts is something to look forward to because it marks the legitimacy of graduating students and officially holds a degree according to the study program they each take.
In the event that was full of wisdom, four students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Arts, UGM, entertained the graduates and the audience with Angguk Dance. They are Novalia Hidayatus Solihah, Nanda Fitri Riyantika, Wening Hidayati, and Audrey Gizella. The Angguk dance performed by the four female students succeeded in bringing smiles and admiration from the graduates and guests.
Of course, there are various stories behind the success of the Angguk Dance performance, ranging from limited rehearsal time to musical interference during the performance. "Before the performance, we felt anxious because we only had three rehearsals. However, the four of us had the courage to keep performing. During the performance, there were times when the music suddenly repeated itself. We tried to calm down and continue the dance. Alhamdulillah, the whole performance went well. Although there are shortcomings, we feel satisfied and proud to be able to entertain the audience at the Mangayubagya event for graduates of Faculty of Arts UGM," explained Wening Hidayat in an interview (05/24/2024).
Quoting from disbud.kulonprogokab.go.id (2020, August 5), Angguk Dance is a traditional art originating from Kulon Progo Regency. It is believed that this art emerged around 1900, right when the Dutch soldiers and officers occupied the area of Purworejo Regency. The soldiers' dancing and singing became the forerunner of the Angguk Dance that emerged in Kokap Sub-district, an area directly adjacent to Purworejo. Initially, Angguk was danced by men. In 1991, it was first danced by women in Pripih Hamlet, Hargomulyo, Kokap.
Wening, Nanda, Novalia, and Audrey with Dr. Daru Winarti, M.Hum., Head of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program.
The Angguk Dance performance in the Mangayubagya event for graduates of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM, was successfully run with great fanfare. This performance is also a concrete manifestation of the students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program in nguri-uri 'preserving' and ngurip-urip'reviving and enlivening' the culture of the archipelago, especially Javanese culture. The preservation of national identity can be carried out with synergy from various parties so that it can have a broad impact on society and the nation.
Yogyakarta (05/20/2024) - Wayang kulit / Puppetry, a traditional art recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Human Cultural Heritage, has high historical, philosophical, and artistic value. The art of puppet is considered one of the pinnacles of Javanese culture, so it is important for the younger generation to recognize, understand, and preserve this noble heritage.
In order to deepen the understanding of shadow puppets, the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program organized a field study for the Puppet Literature course on May 16, 2024. This activity was held at the Sonobudoyo Museum in Yogyakarta, giving students the opportunity to see puppets and manuscripts related to puppets.
A group photo of the field course participants observing the puppet collection.
This field study was attended by students participating in the Puppet Literature course and guided by the lecturers, namely R. Bima Slamet Raharja, S.S., M.A., and Dr. Rudy Wiratama, S.I.P., M.A. During the activity, students had direct access to observe various puppet collections and manuscripts related to wayang kulit. The enthusiasm of the students was visible throughout this activity, showing their interest in knowing more about the cultural wealth of the nation.
The output of this field study is not only a presentation of what has been learned but also an introduction and growth of love and pride for the nation's culture. In addition, this activity is expected to add experience and become a means of developing the scientific competence of the participants. Thus, the field course is in line with the fourth point of the sustainable development goals, namely improving the quality of education within the scope of the preservation and development of the nation's culture.
Yogyakarta (05/14/2024) - The first day of the 13th Gugur Gunung was successfully held on Monday, May 13, 2024, at Margono Hall, 1st floor, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM). Jawaisme Fest, which is part of this event, managed to attract the attention of various groups, ranging from mahadaya, inculs students, FIB staff, to high school students visiting FIB UGM.
Jawaisme Fest is an exhibition of Javanese art, literature and culture. Some of the cultural products on display are archipelago manuscripts, Javanese traditional daily clothing or Yogyakarta-style padintenan, shadow puppets, gamelan sets, weton procedures, traditional games, and various other cultural products.
The Nusantara manuscripts on display include Javanese manuscripts, illustrated lontar manuscripts from Bali, and imitations of Batak manuscripts. Shadow puppets with Pandawa (Yudistira, Bima, Arjuna, Nakula, and Sadewa) and Punakawan (Semar, Gareng, Petruk, and Bagong) characters were also present to welcome visitors. Some of the gamelan instruments displayed included saron, kendhang ciblon, kethuk, kempul, and gong. Traditional games such as yoyo, othok-othok hammer, othok-othok boat, bekel, ketapel or plintheng, bas basan, gasing, and various other games bring a nostalgic impression of the past. The Javanese procedures displayed, including the life cycle from birth to death and an introduction to weton, succeeded in sparking visitors' curiosity to find out more.
Javanese Shadow Puppet
Gamelan Instruments
Javanese Traditional Fashion Yogyakarta Style
Replika Naskah Batak
The various cultural products on display attracted the interest of the visitors. They showed their enthusiasm through various questions asked to the stand guards. Visitors were also given the opportunity to try various traditional games, hold and play shadow puppets, sound gamelan instruments, see Nusantara manuscripts, and try their luck at the lucky draw booth.
Two high school students learning about shadow puppets
Traditional othok-othok boat game attracts the attention of inculs students
Weton introduction to female students
Jawaisme Fest will still take place on the second day of Gugur Gunung 13, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, from 09.00 to 15.00 WIB. The second day will be even more special with the performance of a Jathilan dance drama entitled “Turangga Sastra Nuswantara” by the students of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program. The Jathilan dance drama performance will be even more interesting with the presence of Lala Atila, a famous campursari singer, who will sing in the performance. So, let's get ready for Gugur Gunung 13!
Yogyakarta (05/16/2024) - The second day of Gugur Gunung 13, precisely on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, became an unforgettable moment for all residents of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM). Not without reason, because students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program collaborated in a team called 'Turangga Sastra Nuswantara' to perform Jathilan Dance Drama on the peak day of Gugur Gunung 13.
The Jathilan Dance Drama performance was held at 04.00 PM –05.30 PM WIB on the stage located in Greenland. Each side of the stage was packed with members of the academic community who were interested in the Jathilan Dance Drama performance. The performance of popular art became livelier with the presence of Lala Atila as the sinden of the Jathilan Dance Drama.
Jathilan Dance Drama is a performance of Jathilan dance, an art that is closely related to the use of jaran kepang, or lumping horse, and contains drama about Javanese mythology. The legend of Javanese mythology is the legend of Ajisaka and his battle with Dewata Cengkar, a giant king in the kingdom of Medang Kamulan. The production of the Jathilan Dance Drama was led by R. Raga Budi Panuntun, a student of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program class of 2021, and directed by Yulian Kethus from the Kidung Cakrawala Art Studio.
Enthusiasm of mahadaya
Before the performance began, at 03.00 PM WIB, the performers and staff held a jaran bath and prayer together at Wisdom Park. Afterward, a cultural procession was carried out along the route from Wisdom Park to FIB through the north door.
Kirab Budaya to the Faculty of Cultural Sciences
The folk-art performance was opened by R. Sukoco, an alumnus of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, as the narrator. There were various speeches delivered by Idharul Huda, as the chairman of Gugur Gunung 13, Dr. Daru Winarti, Head of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, and Prof. Dr. Setiadi, S.Sos., M.Si, dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. The event continued with the traditional ceremony of kupat luwar or luwaran kupat, as a form of releasing all things that are not good so that the event can run smoothly.
Kupat Luwar or Luwaran Kupat Procession
The next event was the presentation of the Jathilan Dance Drama which managed to amaze the entire audience. The audience seemed to really enjoy it, even dancing to the music of the Jathilan dance. The highlight of this presentation was the scene of the battle between Aji Saka and Dewata Cengkar. The thrilling battle and Aji Saka's stunning victory drew thunderous applause from all directions.
The end of the Jathilan Dance Drama performance also marked the end of the 13th Gugur Gunung. Various beautiful and fun moments have occurred during Gugur Gunung 13. We would like to thank the enthusiasm and support from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, sponsors, mahadaya, and the entire academic community of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. May the culture of the archipelago be preserved and continue to live from time to time. See you at Gugur Gunung 14.
It's been a year since the 12th Gugur Gunung successfully hit the stage with the lively and spectacular ketoprak wayang gedhog titled Panji Kudanarawangsa. Now, proudly, the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program presents the 13th Gugur Gunung to all, especially the mahadaya!
Gugur Gunung is an annual event held to commemorate the anniversary of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program. In the event, the students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program collaborate to present various cultures of the Nusantara, especially Javanese culture.
This time, the theme is "Holopis Kuntul Baris", a Javanese philosophy that is close to Gugur Gunung activities. "Holopis Kuntul Baris" depicts a line of egrets flying in a pointed pattern. This philosophy is a symbol of joint efforts to solve problems, or what we know as gotong royong. Gotong royong is a manifestation of the Javanese sociocultural society that upholds patembayatan, which means living side by side in harmony,
There are two major events that will enliven the 13th Gugur Gunung:
Jawaisme Fest
Jawaisme Fest is a Javanese cultural exhibition featuring all things traditional such as traditional games, traditional clothing, performing arts, customs, tata cara, weton, and so on. There are also traditional food tenants that are appetizing. Jawaisme Fest was held on May 13-14, 2024, 09.00 AM-06.00 PM WIB, at Margono Hall, 1st floor, Faculty of Cultural Science, UGM.
2.Popular Arts Performance
The Popular Arts Performance will feature a Jathilan Dance Drama entitled "Turangga Sastra Nuswantara" presented by a collaboration of students of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program. This art performance will take place in Greenland, Faculty of Cultural Science, UGM, on May 14, 2024, starting at 03.00 PM until completion. Oh, I almost forgot, the Popular Arts Performance will be enlivened by a performance from Lala Atila.
Yogyakarta (06/03/2024) - After spending the month of Ramadan full of wisdom, it is time to celebrate the blessings and warmth of Syawalan. The Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program held a Syawalan event with great joy and a spirit of togetherness. This event took place in the hallway of the 4th floor of the Margono building on May 2, 2024, starting at 04.00 PM WIB until completion, attended by students from the 2020-2023 batch along with all the lecturers.
The festivity of the syawalan event was warmly opened by Bagus Ulin Nuha, a student from the class of 2023 who acted as the announcer of the event. Followed by remarks from Gilang Cahyo Nusantara, as the head of the Kamastawa Department Student Association (HMJ), and Dr. Daru Winarti, M. Hum. as the head of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program. In her speech, Dr. Daru Winarti, M. Hum. expressed her gratitude for the presence and togetherness that was established in this special moment.
After the speeches, it was followed by the reading of the Syawalan pledge led by M. Rafi Nur Fauzy, a 2023 student, and followed by all attendees. The syawalan event was also enlivened with a tausiah delivered by Dr. Rudy Wiratama, S.I.P., M.A., a lecturer in literary studies. The tausiah brought an important theme about the true meaning of Eid al-Fitr, inviting the audience to reflect and interpret the moment of fitri more deeply. After the sermon, the event continued with a joint prayer led by Dr. Rudy Wiratama, S.I.P., M.A. The peak of the warmth of the event occurred during the halal bi halal session, where all attendees jointly expressed their apologies and forgiveness, strengthening the ties of brotherhood among them. The moment of joy was immortalized in a group photo session which was also the closing session of the syawalan activity.
Syawalan is not only a religious ritual, but also a place to strengthen the relationship between students and lecturers as part of the family in the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program. This syawalan activity is also interpreted to be self-reflective, learn to forgive, and build harmonious relationships. Through this moment, it is hoped that awareness of the importance of good relationships and respect for others will continue to be instilled, become part of the formation of a quality person, and be ready to face a bright and challenging future.
On Thursday, March 28, 2024, the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), together with the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Student Association (HMJ Kamastawa), held a sharing session entitled 'The Existence of Javanese Culture in Foreign Countries'. The event was held offline at the Soegondo Auditorium, 7th floor, at 15.00 WIB until completion.
This sharing session featured two main speakers, Rudy Wiratama, S.I.P., M.A., and R. Bima Slamet Raharja, S.S., M.A., both lecturers of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program with a field of literary studies. Alma Syahwalani and Muhammad Bagus Ulin Nuha also participated as speakers and moderators. The participants consisted of students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program batches 2021, 2022, and 2023, as well as other participants who were interested in the existence of Javanese culture in foreign countries.
In the presentation session, R. Bima Slamet Raharja, S.S., M.A., and Rudy Wiratama, S.I.P., M.A., shared their experiences when working on a project organized by the British Museum. The project is a study that departs from a question: is it true that Raffles' belongings that are now in the British Museum were looted?
"At the British Museum, we found a lot of manuscripts and puppet collections, such as wayang kulit, wayang topeng, wayang krucil, and wayang klithik, to a puppet whose existence has been lost in Java," explained R. Bima Slamet Raharja, S.S., M.A., in his presentation. "This can be an opportunity for Javanese literature students to study and continue their education abroad," he added.
In line with R. Bima Slamet Raharja, S.S., M.A., Rudy Wiratama, S.I.P., M.A., reviewed research opportunities for students through the perspective of post-colonialism. "The current cultural perspective adopts a post-colonialism perspective. This means that the British Museum gives access to the owners of culture, namely us, to research and study according to their own cultural knowledge and taste." In addition, he also highlighted the lack of Javanese manuscript experts in the UK. "In the UK, there are various manuscripts and cultures typical of the archipelago, but the scholars are very few and have not experienced significant regeneration," he explained.
After the presentation session ended, the announcer opened a discussion session and gave participants the opportunity to ask questions of the two speakers. The participants responded enthusiastically. This was evident from the variety of questions asked of the speakers. The last series of events was the closing, with a group photo session to capture the moment.
The Sharing Session event entitled 'The Existence of Javanese Culture in Foreign Countries' is expected to motivate and arouse the enthusiasm of students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program. "This is to motivate all Javanese Literature friends that departing from pleasure or hobbies, if done seriously, can lead to dreams or ideals, especially about Java, and that opportunities are wide open for all students," said R. Bima Slamet Raharja, S.S., M.A.
Research and study of the traditions and culture of the archipelago need to be carried out continuously to maintain its sustainability because it is the identity and heritage of the Indonesian nation. Synergy from various parties is needed in disseminating this knowledge to academics and the community so that knowledge and culture are not lost and can continue to be developed in accordance with the times. This is in line with the goals of sustainable development, especially in organizing superior-quality education and establishing partnerships to achieve certain goals.
