On Monday, March 4, 2024, at 09.30 WITA, Dr. Arsanti Wulandari, S.S., M.Hum, a lecturer from the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program, became a speaker in a public lecture entitled ‘Philology in Javanese Manuscript Studies’. This activity was held through the Zoom Meeting platform and initiated by the Javanese Literature Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Udayana University (FIB UNUD).

In the public lecture, Dr. Arsanti Wulandari presented an introduction to philology, reviewed the concept of philology, the object of study, the tasks of philologists, and the final product produced. The presentation was equipped with examples of Javanese manuscripts and their identification, so that the audience could understand about philology more easily. The discussion session that followed provided space for participants to ask various questions, showing their high enthusiasm for the topics discussed.

Kuliah umum mengenai filologi ini diadakan sebagai respons terhadap semakin berkurangnya minat mahasiswa dalam bidang studi filologi. Meskipun demikian, saat ini pemerintah sedang serius mendorong penggalian pengetahuan dan nilai-nilai yang terkandung dalam naskah kuno. Harapannya, melalui kegiatan semacam ini, minat, dan pemahaman terhadap filologi dapat tumbuh kembali di kalangan mahasiswa.

Pentingnya memahami dan menjaga keberlanjutan pengetahuan serta nilai-nilai kebudayaan yang terdapat dalam naskah kuno menjadi fokus kuliah umum ini. Dengan memberikan bekal pengetahuan, semangat, dan menjalin kerja sama yang baik, diharapkan pengetahuan dan nilai-nilai kebudayaan pada naskah kuno dapat tetap lestari dan dapat kemudian dikembangkan sesuai dengan kebutuhan zaman. Hal ini selaras dengan tujuan pembangunan berkelanjutan, terutama dalam meningkatkan mutu pendidikan (poin 4) dan memperkuat kerja sama untuk mencapai tujuan bersama (poin 17).

Excerpted in full from: hystoryana.blogspot.com

Philology, as the study of manuscripts and classical texts, plays an important role in preserving the cultural and historical heritage of a nation. One of the interesting aspects of philology is the effort to understand and translate manuscripts, which means transforming ancient texts from their original format to new forms that are more accessible and easier to learn, such as in the form of illustrated stories, batik cloth, and so on.

Paleography is a scientific discipline that studies the character of ancient writings in manuscripts. As a science that supports the specialization of Philology, Paleography is a compulsory course for the Language, Literature and Culture Study Program.

On Friday, December 6, 2024 the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program held an exhibition initiated by the lecturers of the Philology course, Dr. Sri Ratna Saktimulya M.Hum,. and Dr. Arsanti Wulandari M.Hum,. The exhibition involved Master of Literature students in the Philology course and the undergraduate students of Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program for the Paleography course. The philological exhibition “Mengalih Wahana Naskah” aims to introduce the public to the importance of ancient manuscripts in the formation of Indonesian history and culture. The manuscripts not only serve as historical documents, but also as a means of understanding the noble values and wisdom passed down by our ancestors. This exhibition also explores how these manuscripts transformed from handwritten texts into more attractive illustrated texts and wearable batik cloth. It is a means to introduce to the public that ancient manuscripts are not just text documents, but also works of art that contain high aesthetic value.

Students of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program in the Philology Exhibition

“Very happy to be able to organize this exhibition, previously we, the class of 2023, were asked to make batik cloth, then it will be exhibited today, it's fun to try making batik cloth and at the same time get a grade for the Final Semester Examination” said Muhammad Rizki, one of the students of the Language, Literature and Culture Study Program.

The exhibition showcased batik cloths that had previously been made by students of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program in the Switching Workshop. The long sash batik cloths were written based on the interests of each student. There are 3 scripts that can be chosen to write the proposition sentences that have been made. Javanese script, Pegon script, and Balinese script, each has its own uniqueness and beauty. Dr. Arsanti Wulandari M.Hum, revealed that this project will be taken as the fulfillment of the Final Examination of Paleography course in 2024. There are also illustrated stories made by Master of Literature students.

Students of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program Make  Batik for the Exhibition

It is hoped that the Philology exhibition: Alih Wahana is able to introduce many people to the existence of Philology as a useful science for life. Ancient manuscripts can be absorbed with the science of Philology to prepare for present and future life. In addition, this exhibition is one way to preserve ancient manuscripts in Javanese culture.

The 29th National Cultural Gathering was successfully held by I Gusti Bagus Sugriwa State Hindu University (UHN) which took place from Sunday to Friday, 5-10 November 2023. The theme carried at the 2023 National Cultural Gathering was "Sabda Budaya: Mukhti Luwir Nihan Segara", which means "Cultural Echo: Resounding Like the Ocean". The theme intends to highlight the richness of Indonesian culture which is still resounding in the midst of the current era of globalization. The activity lasted for five days with various agendas, including the National Conference, Wimbakara (Competitions), National Seminar, and ended with the Award Night as well as the closing of the 29th National Cultural Gathering.

In this 29th National Cultural Gathering, the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Gadjah Mada University (UGM), sent eight delegates to participate in the entire series of events. The UGM delegation consisted of Nurma Aisyah (class of 2021) as the head of the delegation, Vighna Rivattyannur Hernawan (class of 2020), Bima Muslih Wicaksono (class of 2022), Haryo Untoro (class of 2022), Kintan Dewinta Putri (class of 2022), Muhammad Siswoyo (class of 2022), Alma Syahwalani (class of 2023), and Meifira Arini Pitaloka (class of 2023).  

• 1st place in the Cultural Reporting competition (Alma Syahwalani)

The Cultural Reporting Competition raised the theme of Taman Sari Yogyakarta, a historic water park site, as a reflection of the splendor and majesty of Indonesian culture inherited to this day.

• 2nd place in the National Scientific Writing Competition (Haryo Untoro and Muhammad Siswoyo)

The National Scientific Writing Competition entitled Reflection of the Agrarian Tradition Entity in the Record of the Cowongan Song Lyrics, raised the lyrics of the Cowongan ritual song as a material object containing agrarian elements in the form of various kinds of plants and animals. These elements are then linked to their classification in Javanese culture and reveal the inheritance related to the names of these agrarian elements along with the agrarian mythology behind them.

• 2nd place in the Comic Strip competition (Meifira Arini Pitaloka)

The Comic Strip competition with the theme "environmental preservation based on local wisdom" tells the story of young people who want to reforest by paying attention to the philosophy of these plants.

• 3rd place in the Poetry Musicalization competition (Nurma Aisyah and Bima Muslih Wicaksono)

The Poetry Musicalization competition raised the theme "Sabda Budaya: Mukhti Luwir Nihan Segara" performing a poem by Muhammad Siswoyo about the beauty and majesty of the nation's culture. The poem was delivered with a reading combined with singing and musical accompaniment, thus mesmerizing the other participants.

• 3rd place in the Nusantara Tiktok competition (Kintan Dewinta Putri)

The Cultural Tiktok competition which features traditional games, including Dakon or Congklak, Bakiak, and games accompanied by cublek-cublek suweng songs.

The achievements of the UGM Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program in winning various competitions are a concrete manifestation of UGM Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Students in promoting, appreciating, and preserving the diverse cultures and traditions in Indonesia.

With the existence of the 29th National Cultural Gathering, it is hoped that it will motivate students to be interested in promoting these cultural and traditional heritages. Furthermore, this National Cultural Gathering activity can strengthen relations between students of regional literature study programs throughout Indonesia and implement sustainable development goals, especially in improving the quality of education.  

We thank all parties who have participated in the success of this event. Hopefully IMBASADI can continue to accommodate students majoring in regional literature throughout Indonesia in studying, developing and preserving the nation's culture.  

Indonesia is diverse, IMBASADI unites.