(Image: Public Lecture Poster)

Yogyakarta – The Javanese Literature Study Program at Gadjah Mada University has conducted a public lecture entitled Old Javanese Grammatical Problems. In this public lecture, the Javanese Literature Study Program presented expert speakers, namely Drs. Suharto Mangkusudarmo, M.Hum., a retired lecturer in Javanese Literature at UGM. This activity is open to all UGM academicians and will be held on Thursday (11/11) through Zoom Meeting.

(Image: Zoom Meeting Footage)

This public lecture activity also presented one of UGM Javanese Literature lecturers with the same subject focus as the speaker (regarding Old Javanese), namely Nurmalia Habibah, S.S. M.A., as moderator. Complete with one Javanese Literature student, Enjang Prasetyo Wening, as Master of Ceremony (MC).

"The problematic Old Javanese grammar is Old Javanese grammar which still creates problems," said Drs. Suharto Mangkusudarmo, M.Hum.

Following the title raised, Drs. Suharto Mangkusudarmo, M.Hum., explained in detail the problems that arise in Old Javanese grammar. The problem with this Old Javanese grammar is that everyone's understanding is not always the same and tends to be different. The problem also lies in the syntax or sentence structure. Mastery of Old Javanese grammar will support anyone who studies and understands Old Javanese texts, especially parwa texts.

Comments and explanations regarding Old Javanese grammar were explained in a clear and detailed manner, supported by the material he had prepared. An example is regarding the phonology of Old Javanese. The different phonemic signs in the letters that explain the reading of Old Javanese also have different meanings. This is what makes Old Javanese a little difficult. He also said that reading accuracy in Old Javanese was necessary so that there would be no misperceptions of meaning.

After Drs. Suharto Mangkusudarmo, M.Hum., finished explaining everything and the session was opened by the moderator. The question and answer session lasted interactively until the end of the event. Public lectures are held for two full hours, from 01.00 pm to 03.00 pm WIB.

Meanwhile, Dr. Daru Winarti, M.Hum., as Chair of the Javanese Literature Study Program who was also present at this public lecture expressed his gratitude to the resource persons, moderators, MC, and colleagues who had attended, and hoped that anyone who attended the public lecture could gain useful knowledge and more insight, and be more interested in the field of Old Javanese, because this field requires experts and must be studied seriously due to its more difficult level. He also conveyed his hopes to Drs. Suharto Mangkusudarmo, M.Hum., so that he can assist in guiding Javanese Literature students, especially in understanding Old Javanese.

“Hope you guys find something useful. Hopefully, you will have more insight and then be more interested in this field," said Dr. Daru Winarti, M.Hum.

Author: Vighna R. Hernawan

The International Literacy Seminar on Disaster History was organized at the initiation of the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB), in collaboration with the National Library, the National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia (ANRI), U-INSPIRE Indonesia, and support from the Volcanology Center for Geological Disaster Mitigation (PVMBG) Geological Agency, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Indonesian Institute of Sciences, Syiah Kuala University, University of Indonesia, Bandung Institute of Technology, Higher Education Forum for Disaster Risk Reduction, IABI, Nusantara Manuscript Society (MANASSA), CARI, and Amcolabora Research Institute. This international seminar aims to strengthen the disaster literacy mission so that it becomes a learning, reminder, and reinforcement for people with good quality literacy and builds a new Indonesian civilization that is more resilient in facing disasters.

Through the seminar entitled: “Disaster History Literacy as a Legacy of Resilience of the Past, Present, and Later”, the gluing and rearrangement of various cross-disciplinary learning, expertise, and skills related to disaster history was carried out. This activity was carried out in Ambon City on Wednesday - Thursday, October 13-14 2021.

Picture: Announcement of the winners of the digital scientific poster competition on the official BNPB website

In order to raise public awareness, especially to increase the awareness of the younger generation regarding literacy in disaster history, media that is suitable and liked, and easy to understand is needed. In the digital era like today, the dissemination of digital-based information has become a medium that is easily understood and accepted by the general public. Creativity-based digital media is a product that can be easily disseminated through portals that are available free of charge. BNPB also organizes several side event activities in the form of competitions related to Disaster History Literacy.

This activity is expected to increase public awareness of the importance of studying or knowing the history of disasters and encourage community creativity in translating this information into works. The categories of competitions that were held were as follows (1) Literacy Article Writing Contest for the Elementary School level accompanied by a history teacher at the school; (2) Literacy Literacy Article Writing Contest for the general public; (3) Disaster History Literacy Digital Scientific Poster Competition for students; (4) History of Disaster Literacy Story Map Contest.

Among the many students who took part in the competition, Sahmu Hidayat was one of the 2017 UGM Javanese Literature students who took part in the competition. He won 1st place in the category of Digital Literacy Scientific Poster Competition for Disaster History.

Picture: Digital scientific poster entitled “Citraleka Bancana: Exploring Collective Memory of Disaster in Javanese Script”

The title of the scientific poster he carried was "Citraléka Bancana: Exploring Collective Memory of Disaster in Javanese Script”. The reason behind the idea is because of the many natural disasters that often hit Java. Past events in the form of disasters become a historical record recorded in a traditional Javanese collective memory. This memory is preserved by the Javanese people in several traditional records in the form of manuscripts.

In his opinion, the manuscript contains a citraleka bankana or some kind of hint of a disaster in the past. Generally, these ancient texts explain the types, causes, how to avoid, and what to do when a natural disaster occurs.

One example that is Serat Primbon Palintangan Palindhon Pakedutan which contains a record of knowledge about the occurrence of earthquakes at certain times is considered to indicate events that are bad, good, neutral, or mixed, and have an impact on humans, other living things, and nature. Through the scientific posters he made, he hopes that more and more young people will become aware of the importance of traditional knowledge to deal with the problems that occur amid modernization.

Author: Sahmu Hidayat

Editor: Anggra Dini

(Gugur Gunung Poster 11 "Labdhasuksma Jawaloka")

Gugur Gunung is an annual event held to celebrate the birthday of the Javanese Literature Study Program. The Gugur Gunung event this time carries the theme "Labdhasuksma Jawaloka". The word labdhasuksma comes from two words, Labdha which means reached, found, and available. Whereas, suksma means subtle, small, and magical. So, when these two words are combined it means 'get subtlety (soul)'. As for the word jawaloka also comes from two words, Java and loka which means world. So that, jawaloka can be interpreted with the world of Java. The series eventually became a unified meaning of "Labdhasuksma Jawaloka" which can be interpreted as 'getting the tenderness of the human heart and soul in the Javanese world'.

Ahead of the main event which will be held in December, there will be a series of competitions with Javanese literary nuances, including the Javanese Storytelling, the Javanese Script Calligraphy Contest, and the Javanese Culture Infographic Poster Contest. For convenience, here is the link for contest conditions and registration:

1. Java Storytelling Competition

Terms link: http://bit.ly/ToRNdongengJawa

Registration link: http://bit.ly/LombaNdongengJawa

1. Javanese Script Calligraphy Competition

Terms link: http://bit.ly/ToRKaligrafiAksaraJawa

Registration link: http://bit.ly/LombaKaligrafiAksaraJawa

1. Javanese Culture Infographic Poster Competition

Terms link: http://bit.ly/ToRPosterKebudayaanJawa

Registration link: http://bit.ly/LombaPosterKebudayaanJawa

Author: Vighna R. Hernawan

Gugur Gunung is a commemoration of the anniversary of the Javanese Literature study program which is one of the annual programs that is routinely held. The event is usually held regularly in October. Not only as a commemoration event, but Gugur Gunung is also a bridge to help strengthen ties between the academic community of the Javanese Literature study program. Through a series of events prepared, all members of the academic community can join and enliven this annual event.

Various events were arranged in such a way as to make the anniversary of the Javanese Literature study program even more lively. The series of events that complement the anniversary of the Javanese Literature study program included a competition to make cultural-themed posters, a competition to make cultural infographics, a webinar, and at the peak of the event ended with an art performance from students of the Javanese Literature study program.

Gugur Gunung event is one of the biggest annual events held by the Javanese Literature Study program. In addition to commemorating the birthday of the Javanese Literature study program, Gugur Gunung is also a symbol to express gratitude to God because the Javanese Literature study program continues to prosper to this day.

Yogyakarta - On Monday, May 3, 2021, at 03.41 PM WIB, it became a historic moment for KAMASUTRA (Keluarga Mahasiswa Sastra Nusantara), an HMJ (Department Student Association) organization under the auspices of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program, Department of Language and Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), which has officially changed its name to KAMASTAWA (Keluarga Mahasiswa Sastra Jawa).

Etymologically, KAMASTAWA comes from Sanskrit which consists of the word 'kāma' which means affection and loyalty and 'stawa' which means prayer, hope, and praise. Overall, the meaning of Kamastawa is a hope for the Javanese Literature Student Family to always love each other, love and have a high spirit of loyalty to the Javanese Language, Literature and Study Program.

The process of determining this name change was carried out online through a Zoom Meeting, with the Head of the KAMASTAWA for the 2021/2022 period, Na'il Yuwana Firdaus, as the official signatory of the name change. Furthermore, this decision received approval from the supervisor of the KAMASTAWA, namely a lecturer in Javanese Language, Literature and Culture with a field of study in philology, Zakariya Pamuji Amirullah, S.S., M.A..

This change is in line with the Decree of the Student Association of the Javanese Literature Department, Department of Language and Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta Number 001/KAMASTAWA/IV/2021 concerning Changes in the Abbreviation of the KAMASTAWA. The reason behind this name change is to achieve harmony between the Javanese Literature Study Program, Department of Language and Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, and the name of the related student association.

This decision is also based on the results of the KAMASTAWA bylaws session on March 20, 2021 and the results of the Special Member Deliberation of the Javanese Literature Student Family for the 2021/2022 period on April 4, 2021, both of which were held online through Zoom Meeting and Google Meet.

Apart from the name change, there is also a change in the KAMASTAWA  logo, part of the script found at the top of the lingga-yoni which has been adjusted to the new abbreviation. In addition, the script used in the new logo is Old Javanese script, replacing the Dewanagari script in the old logo.

(Old Logo)

(New Logo)

With this name change that reflects a new identity, KAMASTAWA is even more enthusiastic in providing opportunities for its members to study, preserve, and revive the cultural heritage of Java.

Sunday (08/22/2021), the Javanese Literature Student Family (KAMASTAWA) acted to care for others in the Kulon Progo area, Yogyakarta. This caring activity for others is called Sastra Jawa Berbagi. Sastra Jawa Berbagi is a work program of the KAMASTAWA from the Social Society division. 

Through Sharing Javanese Literature, all academics of the Javanese Literature study program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, have the opportunity to contribute by assisting in the form of funds and wearable clothing. The fundraising and decent clothes were carried out by the which started on July 23 to August 10, 2021 with the results of cash amounting to IDR 1,050,000 and 10 large bags of decent clothes.

Many people think that all people in the Yogyakarta area may have guaranteed welfare. However, in reality, there are still many people who need our help and concern, such as the residents of Kalirejo Village, Sangon II, Kokap, Kulon Progo, Yogyakarta. Not only one or two people, but most of the people are retarded, be it mentally, psychologically, or economically.

At that time, KAMASTAWA's friends had the opportunity to directly visit approximately thirty families with special needs. This activity also involved the "Baitunnajah" Social Welfare Institution in Kalirejo Village, Kokap, Kulon Progo, Yogyakarta.

Even though they had to go through an inadequate access road, this did not dampen the KAMASTAWA friends' intention to carry out this activity. The care and sincerity given through the package of basic needs, created smiles for those who received it.. Of course, this gives happiness to KAMASTAWA friends who can directly contribute to these activities.

Writer & editor : Anggra Dini