Biography of Husein Mutahar Mr. Paskibraka

Have you ever heard the song Thanksgiving, one of the Indonesian national songs that are very pleasing to hear, a song of gratitude to God Almighty for the independence of the Indonesian nation that has been achieved?

You should know that the creator of the Thanksgiving song was one of the founders of Paskibra in Indonesia, namely Habib Muhammad Husein bin Salim bin Ahmad Al-Muthahar or better known as Husein Mutahar, born in Semarang, Central Java, August 5, 1916, and died in Jakarta, June 9, 2004, at the age of 87, he is one of the composers of Indonesian music, especially for the category of national and children's anthems.

His popular songs are the Thanksgiving Hymn introduced in January 1945 and the Merdeka Day Mars in 1946. His last work, the song Dirgahayu Indonesia, became the official song for the 50th anniversary of Indonesian Independence. And his children's songs include: "Happy", "Cross Applause", "Let's Clap", "Safely", "Don't Give Up", "When You Say Goodbye", and "Scouting Hymn".

He is very active in scouting activities and is the main figure of Pandu Rakyat Indonesia, an independent scouting movement with nationalist leanings. And he is also known to be very anti-communist. When the entire scouting movement was merged into the Scout Movement, Husein Mutahar also became one of the main figures in it. His name is also involved in establishing and fostering the Heritage Flag Raising Troop (Paskibraka), a team consisting of students from various parts of Indonesia whose job is to raise the Heritage Flag in the commemoration ceremony of Indonesian Independence Day.

Husein Mutahar spent a year's education at the Faculty of Law, Gadjah Mada University from 1946-1947, and after graduating from MULO B (1934) and AMS A-I (1938). In 1945, Mutahar worked as Secretary to the Commander of the Indonesian Navy in Yogyakarta, then became a high official at the State Secretariat in Yogyakarta (1947). Furthermore, he got positions that jumped up and down between departments. The pinnacle of his career was as the Indonesian Ambassador to the Holy See (Vatican) (1969-1973). He masters at least 6 (six) languages ​​actively. His last position was as Acting Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs (1974).

As one of the President's aides, Habib Husein Mutahar was given the task of arranging the flag-raising ceremony when the Republic of Indonesia celebrated its first independence anniversary, on August 17, 1946. According to his thinking, the flag-raising should be done by youths representing Indonesian regions. He then chose five youths who were domiciled in Yogyakarta (three boys and two girls) as representatives for their region.

Raising the Red and White Flag August 17, 1946

In 1967, as director general of youth and scouting affairs, the Ministry of Education and Culture, Husein Mutahar was asked by President Soeharto to draw up the procedure for raising the Heritage Flag. And the procedure for raising the Heritage Flag was arranged to be hoisted by one troop which was divided into three groups:

Group 17 as accompanist or guide

Group 8 as the core group of flag bearers

Group 45 as bodyguards.

The division into three groups is a symbol of the date of the Proclamation of Independence of the Republic of Indonesia. 

The story of Husein Mutahar, Mr. Paskibraka who saved the Heritage flag from the Dutch attack

Along with the growing popularity of his duties as a Heritage Troop (Paskibraka), not much is known about Mr. Paskibraka's struggle in saving the red and white flag from the Dutch attack. At that time, the capital of Indonesia was still in Yogyakarta.

Mr. Paskibraka and Husein Mutahar once separated the heritage flag into two different strips of cloth. Red and white in color. Not without reason. He did this in order to save the heritage flag, after Gedung Agung, Yogyakarta was surrounded by the Dutch on December 19, 1948.

Quoting from the writings of Purna Paskibraka 1978 Budiharjo Winarno, President Soekarno summoned Husein Mutahar after the completion of government affairs. They talk to each other in his private room.

Based on the book Bung Karno: The Tongue of the Indonesian People by Cindy Adams, Soekarno gave Husein Mutahar an assignment. He wants the heritage flag to be maintained even if his life is at stake. This task he gave personally to the aide.

"It must not fall into the hands of the enemy," said Bung Karno at the time.

"If God allows it, you will return it to me alone and to no one except the person who replaces me if my life is short," Soekarno said as quoted from the book.

Separating the Red and White Fabrics

He added if Mutahar died while on duty, he wanted Mutahar to pass on this task to someone else and it had to be handed over to Soekarno alone.

After praying and contemplating while the attack was still in progress, Mutahar immediately removed the stitches that held the red and white cloth on the flag. Using a needle and assisted by Perna Dinata, he removed it carefully.

Finally, the flag that Fatmawati had sewn was successfully separated into two different fabrics. This is to avoid confiscation by the Netherlands.

Bung Karno and Bung Hatta were finally exiled to Sumatra. Meanwhile, Husein Mutahar and several presidential staff were also exiled to Semarang and detained there. However, the two flags remained safe.

Husein Mutahar finally managed to escape to Jakarta. He asked someone to sew the two parts of the heritage flag back together to send it to Bangka via Sujono, an Indonesian delegation.

Sang Saka Merah Putih finally managed to be returned to Soekarno. The flag made by his wife managed to return to his hands.

H. Husein Mutahar during his life never married but had 8 children with the landlord (6 boys and 2 girls). Some were "handed over" from their widowed mothers or their fathers sometimes before they died. There are also fathers/mothers who voluntarily surrender their children to be recognized as their own children. All of them are married and have 15 grandchildren (7 boys and 8 girls). He died in Jakarta at the age of almost 88 years, June 9, 2004, and was buried at Jeruk Purut Cemetery, South Jakarta.

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11 Free Travel Destinations in Jakarta

Free tours in Jakarta.? There really is.? Right, nothing is free in Jakarta. Eating, drinking even just urinating or defecating, everything has a price. If you think so, it means you don't know Jakarta as a whole. There are many tours in Indonesia that you must visit.

Jakarta is synonymous with bustle and hustle and bustle. To relieve stress and fatigue, usually residents of the capital are busy going on vacation out of town on weekends.

Just look at Puncak and Bandung. Rows of cars with number B plates often flock. As a result, severe traffic jams can not be avoided.

But now, the mindset of only being able to take a vacation outside the capital should start to change. Holidays don't always have to be out of town. It turns out that the city of Batavia has interesting tourist objects that offer serenity.

In fact, there are not a few things that can be obtained cheaply, even for free or free. This also applies to tours in Jakarta, you know. Yup, even though to enter Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, or Ancol and Dufan, you have to spend money just to be able to enter the location, there are a number of tourist attractions in Jakarta, where you can enter and have fun without having to pay a fee to entrance ticket.

Interested in free vacations and tours in Jakarta with your family members or friends this weekend, see a list of a number of fun places.

1. Back to the past - Old City of Jakarta

Who doesn't know Jakarta Old Town? There are lots of fun tours there and it's perfect for those of you who want to feel the sensation of going back in time, to the colonial era when Jakarta was still called Batavia.

For selfie fans, Kota Tua Jakarta has many attractive and suitable spots to be used as a backdrop for your selfies. You can also get an old-school impression if you rent a wardrobe that fits and supports you, and you have to pay for this one.

2. Jakarta Old Town Root House

 

Who would have thought that in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Jakarta, there is a contemporary tourist spot that is so unique and attracts attention? This time, Kania would like to invite you to take a peek at the unique Kota Tua Root House located in the Old City of Central Jakarta.

Located not far from the Fatahillah Museum or about 7 minute walk, the Kota Tua Root House leaves a lot of exoticism, charm, and stories that will make you chuckle in awe. Let's visit the Old Town Root House together!

Located not far from the Fatahillah Museum which is known as a beautiful spot for photos, the root house is actually an interesting spot for photos too. Not only that, you can bring out the past in this building because the unique and interesting building is filled with tree roots.

As the center of the Dutch government during the colonial period, it's no wonder that the Old Town in Central Jakarta is indeed filled with architectural treats of old Dutch typical European style houses. This is a Dutch commercial office space in the past. Once used as a church but also long ago used as a warehouse and abandoned. It's a little scary because of the giant tree in the middle, but don't worry. Come here sometime if you are on vacation.


3. Fun Lake in the Center of the Capital - Situ Lembang Park
This free tourist destination in Jakarta is one of the most hits in the capital. Various fun and exciting rides can be enjoyed by the old to the young. Want to just relax, fishing or walking around Situ Lembang is also fun.

Tidak hanya itu saja, di momen waktu tertentu, khususnya di sore hari, kamu bisa menikmati suasana yang syahdu dan menenangkan. Hal semacam ini bukan hal yang mudah ditemukan di Jakarta, lho!

4. Fantastic urban park – Suropati Park

Urban parks are always interesting to visit, especially those in Jakarta. How could I not, besides being a fun place, the facilities are also adequate.

 

The highlight of this park is the shady atmosphere. Shady trees, a clean area and a tropical theme that is put forward has made this Suropati Park one of the favorite destinations for urban Jakartans.

5. Tabebuya Park

As we can see in the picture, this park is a beautiful lotus pond destination that is quite famous in Jakarta. Usually, this destination is used as a place for jogging and relaxing.

One of the famous spots here is the Tabebuia tree from Brazil whose flowers are pink like the cherry blossoms in Japan. Very beautiful!

Address: Jl Moh Kahfi I, Ciganjur, Jagakarsa, South Jakarta.

6. Heaven for lovers of vintage goods – Antique Market, Jl. Surabaya, Cikini
So, for those of you who are interested in old-school items, aka vintage, the Antique Market on Jalan Surabaya, Cikini is the main destination for hunting. From antique clocks to unique old telephones, it's all here. Want to have it, please test your bargaining skills, OK!

For photography enthusiasts, many spots in the Antique Market in Cikini are Instagenic. In fact, it's not uncommon for people to take pre-wedding photos in this area to get a vintage and oldies impression.

7. Museum that is Anti-Mainstream - Central Garden Museum

Not all museums present a boring atmosphere, such as the Tengah Kebun Museum. Starting from the location, and the atmosphere to the items on display, everything is fun, exciting, and anti-mainstream.

Namun, untuk menikmati museum ini kamu harus melakukan booking tempat dan kunjungan juga harus berkelompok, antara tujuh dan 12 orang. Biayanya? Gratis kok!

8. Fun Green Room on the edge of the Mall – Tribeca Park

Tired of exploring Central Park Mall, you can immediately take a look at Tribeca Park which is next to it. Guaranteed, physical and mental fatigue can fade instantly seeing the beautiful and calming atmosphere at this location.

A variety of colorful plants, a cool garden landscape, as well as a pond and cute animals in it make this Tribeca park often a reference for taking a short break after seeing the hustle and bustle of the city. Not to mention the breezy wind, which can coax you to sleep for a while, as well as make you forget you're in the capital city which is famous for its heat.


9. Enjoy the cool park in the south of Jakarta - Ayodya Park

While in South Jakarta, you can enjoy the green Ayodya Park, as well as a beautiful man-made lake. The urban facilities offered are quite promising. There is WiFi too, you know!

Apart from that, you can also enjoy a cool atmosphere that usually cannot be found in the middle of Jakarta. Even more exciting, many communal activities are held here, such as unique animal lovers meetings and many others on weekends.


10. Exploring a New Art World – Museum Art Mon Decor

Want to enjoy the works of art from new artists, just head to the Art Mon Decor Museum in the Gunung Sahari area. From paintings to New Art forms, you can see the artist's eccentric style.

 

The unusual shape of the building makes this museum stand out from its surroundings. Unfortunately, its popularity is still low even though what is offered is quite interesting.

11. Muara Angke Mangrove Forest

Many do not know that in Jakarta there are mangrove forest tourism objects. Muara Angke Forest is the largest extant mangrove forest in Jakarta. The vast expanse of mangrove trees provides its own coolness. This place is perfect for spending time together with family or friends.

 

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History of Batik in Indonesia

The history of Batik in Indonesia originally came from the ancestral heritage of the Javanese people and was closely related to the development of the Majapahit Empire and the spread of Islamic teachings in Java at that time. In some notes, the development of batik was mostly carried out during the Mataram Sultanate era, then continued during the Surakarta Sunanate and Yogyakarta Sultanate eras.

Batik art in Indonesia has been known since the time of the Majapahit Kingdom and continued to grow until the next kingdom and its kings. The art of batik in general was widespread in Indonesia and specifically on the island of Java after the late 18th or early 19th century.

Batik art is the art of drawing on cloth for clothing which became one of the cultures of the royal family in ancient Indonesia. Initially, batik activities were limited to the palace, and batik was produced for clothing for kings and government families, and dignitaries. Because many of the dignitaries lived outside the palace, they brought this batik art from the palace and produced it in their respective places.

Gradually the art of batik was imitated by the common people and then expanded so that it became the work of household women to fill their free time.

The coloring materials used when making batik consist of native Indonesian plants which are made by themselves, including noni tree, Tinggi, soga, and indigo. The soda material is made from ash soda, while the salt is made from mud soil.

BATIK DEVELOPMENT

In its development, the history of batik itself has attracted the attention of officials of the Majapahit Kingdom. At that time also the manufacture of batik has developed. Materials that were originally made of leather and so on have now changed to the white cloth or light-colored cloth. Because it is felt from the white cloth itself the motifs obtained are more durable and can be used for wider utilization.

The motives are not only about animals and plants. But now motifs such as abstract motifs, temple motifs, cloud motifs, wayang beber motifs, and so on, have been used at that time, namely when the Majapahit Kingdom was founded.

The batik motif itself is still not varied. The patterns and motifs are still dominant in the form of plants and animals. The batik craftsmen are also still not too many. At that time making batik was only used as a pleasure for the craftsmen themselves.

From the beginning of the history of batik, it eventually spread throughout other kingdoms. Because of the popularity of batik, finally, officials from the Kingdom of Mataram, the Kingdom of Majapahit, the Kingdom of Demak, and the kingdoms that followed made batik a cultural symbol.

But when Islam came and influenced many people, the animal-shaped batik motifs were removed. Because batik cloth in the shape of animals is considered to violate Islamic law. So that the motive has been removed and eliminated. Unless the creation is disguised using other paintings.

Indonesian Batik has become increasingly famous after receiving recognition from UNESCO which decided to Indonesian Batik as a world heritage and one of the humanitarian heritages for oral and non-material culture. This recognition was carried out officially at the UNESCO meeting in Abu Dhabi on October 2, 2009, becoming an important milestone for the existence of Batik in the international world. In a very long span of time, batik was present in the archipelago. Batik has been around since the days of Indonesia's ancestors.

The word batik comes from a combination of two Javanese words: amba, which means 'to write', and point, which means 'point'. Although the word batik comes from the Javanese language, the presence of batik in Java itself is not recorded. G.P. Rouffaer argues that the technique of batik may have been introduced in India or Sri Lanka in the 6th or 7th century. On the other hand, J.L.A. Brandes, a Dutch archaeologist, and F.A. Sutjipto, an Indonesian historian, believe that the batik tradition is native to areas such as Toraja, Flores, Halmahera, and Papua. It should be noted that the region is not an area influenced by Hinduism, but is known to have an ancient tradition of making batik.

If seen from the beginning of the history of batik, began in the 17th century AD. At that time batik was still written and painted only on lower leaves and traditional house boards.

G.P. Rouffaer also reported that the grinning pattern had been known since the 12th century in Kediri, East Java. He concluded that a pattern like this could only be formed by using the canting tool, so he argued that the canting was found in Java around that time. The details of the cloth carvings resembling batik patterns are worn by Prajnaparamita, a statue of the Buddhist goddess of wisdom from East Java in the 13th century. The details of the garments feature an intricate pattern of vines of plants and flowers similar to the traditional Javanese batik patterns that can be found today. This shows that making intricate batik patterns that can only be made with a canting was known in Java as early as the 13th century or even earlier.

Meanwhile, in the legend in Malay literature of the 17th century, Sulalatus Salatin, tells of Admiral Hang Nadim who was ordered by Sultan Mahmud to sail to India in order to get 140 pieces of litter cloth with patterns of 40 types of flowers on each sheet. Unable to fulfill the order, she made the cloth herself. But unfortunately, his ship sank on the way home and he was only able to bring four sheets, which disappointed the Sultan. Then the four pieces of cloth are interpreted as batik.

In European literature, the batik technique was first described in the book History of Java, London, 1817 written by Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles. He had been the British Governor in Java when Napoleon occupied the Netherlands. In 1873 a Dutch merchant, Van Rijekevorsel, gave a piece of the batik he had obtained during a visit to Indonesia to the Ethnic Museum in Rotterdam in the early 19th century. It was then that batik began to reach its golden age. When exhibited at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1900, Indonesian batik amazed the public and artists.

Then since industrialization and globalization, which introduced automation techniques, new types of batik emerged, known as stamped batik and printed batik. Traditional batik, which is produced by handwriting techniques using canting and wax, it is called written batik. Hugh Clifford recorded this batik industry to produce rainbow fabrics and teleport fabrics.

In the end, batik is a craft that has high artistic value and has become part of Indonesian culture, especially in Java. Since ancient times, women have made their skills in batik a livelihood. So in the past batik work was exclusively women's work. Until the invention of the "Batik Cap" which allowed men to enter this field. Then there is the phenomenon of coastal batik which has masculine lines that can be seen in the “Mega Mendung” style. For people in this coastal area, batik work is a custom for men.

Speaking of batik traditions, at first batik was a hereditary tradition from the Javanese people. Maybe, sometimes a motif can be identified as coming from a certain family of batik. Some batik may indicate the status of a person. Even today, some traditional batik motifs are only used by the Yogyakarta and Surakarta Palace families. The Cirebon batik is patterned with sea creatures and Chinese influence.

In Indonesian history, batik later became the clothing worn by figures, from the pre-independence period to the present. In the early 1980s, during his foreign diplomacy, President Soeharto said that batik was inherited from Indonesian ancestors, especially the Javanese, which is still worn by various groups and ages.

With the recognition of UNESCO and the establishment of National Batik Day every October 2, Batik is increasingly positioned not only as Indonesian culture but also as the identity and identity of the Indonesian nation.

Technically, Indonesian batik is considered full of symbols and culture that is closely related to the life of the people themselves. That way the original batik from Indonesia cannot be claimed by other countries. Because previously batik had been claimed as the ancestral heritage of other countries.

Indonesian Batik is widely known throughout the world. Not only famous by the Javanese, batik itself has spread to all the islands in Indonesia.

Batik-patterned clothes are no longer only worn by the Javanese. Now batik cloth itself is considered formal clothing suitable for use in any event. In fact, it's not just people who are aristocrats, young people throughout Indonesia also often wear batik-patterned clothes.

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Remembering Betawi Artist Benyamin Sueb

Who doesn't know this one actor...? Benyamin Sueb is a legend from Betawi who is famous for his timeless films and songs.

His full name is Benyamin Sueb, born in Jakarta on March 5, 1939. He is an actor, comedian, director, and singer who is remembered today. He has starred in more than 75 music albums and 53 films.

The youngest of eight children of the Suaeb-Aisyah couple, he lost his father when he was two years old. Due to the uncertain economic conditions of his family, from the age of three, he was allowed to sing around the village and the proceeds were used to pay for his older siblings' school fees. He is also known as a mischievous and humorous child, and that's why his friends like him.

Little Benjamin likes to play music, and together with his brothers, he makes his own musical instruments with used goods. The youngest of eight children, he was best known among his seven siblings at that time as a Betawi artist.

At the age of 7, he entered the Jago Dam Folk School. Had moved schools to Bandung when he was in 5th grade, but then returned to Jakarta again when he was in junior high school and entered the school where the comedian Ateng attended. He continued high school at Taman Kemayoran Jakarta and spent a year studying at the Jakarta banking academy, even though it was only for a year.

He returned to his music career after marrying Noni in 1959, his wife who divorced in 1979 and reconciled in the same year. He has 5 children from his first marriage. And with his second wife, Alifah, he was blessed with 4 children.

The man who until the end of his life was in touch with the world of entertainment finally died on September 5, 1995 of a heart attack after playing football.

Young Benjamin admits that he does not have definite goals. He has had several professions, such as a push-bread seller and bus driver. His musical career began when he joined the Naga Mustika music group. It was this group that raised the name Benyamin in Indonesia. He also had a duet with Ida Royani. When Ida Royani moved to Malaysia, she also changed duet with Inneke Koesoemawati. Then, because of his fame in the field of music, it also gave him the opportunity to play in films.

Several film titles, such as DOEL CHILDREN OF BETAWI and BETAWI BULL, have made their name known. He also tried soap operas and television films. However, he is identified as an artist who has contributed to Betawi traditional art, especially Gambang Kromong.

In 1990 on March 5, he founded his own radio station called BENS RADIO in collaboration with ETNIKOM NETWORK.

Now, for a bit of nostalgia, there is one of Benjamin Sueb's best films that you should watch, namely "DRACULA MANTU".

This film, which was released in 1974, tells the story of Benjamin, whose life is full of hardships. In order to earn money, Benyamin is willing to do anything, including working as a handyman to repair an old house that will be occupied by immigrants who have just returned from studying in England.

Who would have thought, it turns out that the old house has a lot of ghosts. The ghosts are waiting for the arrival of prince Dracula and his son who will be married to the child of one of the ghosts who live in the house.

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History of Gambang Kromong Music

Gambang Kromong is a Betawi cultural art that is still being preserved today. This art is often played at official events and people's parties. let's discuss where this art actually comes from.

The name Gambang Kromong is taken from the names of two percussion instruments, namely Gambang and Kromong. The beginning of the formation of the Gambang Kromong orchestra was inseparable from a Chinese community leader who was appointed by the Dutch (Capitan Cina) named Nie Hoe Kong (term of office 1736-1740)

In the 17th century, many Chinese immigrants came to Tanah Betawi and they introduced this art to the public, namely a Chinese community leader who was appointed by the Dutch named Nie Hoe Kong introduced this art to the local community.

Initially, Gambang Kromong was played only with a stringed instrument named Tehyan, Kongahyan, and Sukong. Over time, local people's interest in this art developed, so this art developed in the Betawi community.

The term Gambang Kromong is taken from the names of two percussion or percussion instruments, namely Gambang and Kromong. xylophone musical instruments made of wood lined up as many as 18 pieces, while Kromong musical instruments made of bronze or iron, totaling 10 pieces.

The xylophone blades, numbering 18, are usually made of suangking, huru Batu, manggarawan, or other types of wood which make a soft sound when hit. Kromong is usually made of bronze or iron, totaling 10 pieces (ten pencon). The scale used in gambang kromong is the Chinese pentatonic scale, which is often called Chinese salendro or salendro mandalungan. Instruments on the Gambang Kromong consist of Gambang, Krumong, Gong, Drum, Flute, Kecrek, Sukong, Tehyan, or Kongahyan as melodies.

The Gambang Kromong Orchestra is a harmonious blend of indigenous elements and Chinese elements. Physically, Chinese elements can be seen in the stringed instruments, namely the sukong, tehyan and kongahyan. The combination of these two cultural elements can also be seen in the repertoire of his songs.

In addition to songs that show indigenous characteristics, such as Dalem (Classic) songs entitled: Centeh Manis Standing, Mas Nona, Gula Ganting, Semar Gunem, Gula Ganting, Tanjung Burung, Kula Nun Salah, and Mawar Spilled and so on, and songs - Vegetable songs (Pop) entitled: Jali-jali, Stambul, Centeh Manis, Surilang, Persi, Balo-balo, Abang Haji, Renggong Buyut, Snap Payung, Kramat Karem, Onde-onde, Gelatik Ngunguk, Lenggang Kangkung, Sirih Kuning and etc., there are also songs that are clearly Chinese in style, both song names, melodies and lyrics, such as Kong Ji Liok, Sip Pat Mo, Poa Si Li Tan, Peh Pan Tau, Cit No Sha, Ma Cun Tay, Cu Te Pan , Cay Cu Teng, Cay Cu Siu, Lo Fuk Cen, and so on.

The songs that are performed on gambang kramong music are songs that are humorous, full of joy, and sometimes ridicule or satire. The performance of the song is sung in turns between men and women as opponents.

Gambang Kromong is Betawi music that is most evenly distributed in Betawi cultural areas, both in DKI Jakarta itself and in the surrounding areas (Jabotabek). If there are more Peranakan Chinese in the local Betawi community, there are also more gambang kramong orchestra groups. In North Jakarta and West Jakarta, for example, there are more Gambang Kromong groups than in South Jakarta and East Jakarta.

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Along Gunung Kidul Beach, Yogyakarta's Kuta Beach

Along Gunungkidul Beach Tourism Object - Gunungkidul Regency, Yogyakarta is indeed famous for its exotic and unspoiled beach tourism, one of which is Sepanjang Beach which is in Kemadang Village, Tanjungsari District, Gunungkidul Regency, Yogyakarta. This beach tourism which is still relatively new has a long coastline among the beaches in the Gunungkidul district offering natural beauty with clean white sand along the beach, many people call it Kutanya Beach, Yogyakarta.

Beach tourism does not offer modern things such as cafes or luxury cottages, but on this beach, it offers a closeness to nature, this can be seen in the absence of permanent buildings standing on the beach, which are visible only a few huts occupied by local people. around. At the Sepanjang Beach Tourism Object, you can still find various types of sea animals and shellfish, but you have to be careful because there are still many sea urchins with sharp spines.

This beach, which is in line with Sundak, Kukup, and Baron, has waves that are quite big enough so that no residents around the beach go to sea, most of the local residents use the fields around the beach to plant soybeans or other crops. Meanwhile, if we look back we can see 2 hills whose slopes are used by the local people to grow corn as a staple food source. This makes the natural beauty of Sepanjang Beach still well maintained and looks still clean with the nature around the beach that is still maintained.

Access to Along Beach

To go to Sepanjang Beach, you should bring your own vehicle, because there is no public transportation to go on this tour. Meanwhile, to get to this beach, you can go through the Baron Beach route, from the South Wonosari terminal you will find a beach retribution post. After that, follow the road until you find the Sepanjang Beach signboard. Hope it is useful.

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9 Unique Javanese Traditional Ceremonies and Their Descriptions

The Javanese are known as the tribe with the largest population in all of Indonesia. Wherever in the archipelago, the Javanese are always there. Besides being known for having friendly personalities, the Javanese people also have an extraordinary history of tradition and culture, just like other tribes. This is evidenced, for example, by the many types of dance, music, traditional houses, and traditional ceremonies it has.

Javanese Traditional Ceremony

A traditional ceremony is a ritual that is carried out jointly by groups of people who still have ethnic, tribal, and cultural links to achieve goals that originate from their ancestral and ancestral values. In Java itself, there are several traditional ceremonies that are quite unique and must be introduced to the younger generation so that this ancestral heritage is preserved and maintained. What are the Javanese traditional ceremonies? Here's the information for you.

1. Kenduren Ceremony

The first Javanese traditional ceremony is kenduren or slametan. This ceremony is carried out from generation to generation as a commemoration of joint prayers led by traditional elders or religious leaders. The acculturation of Islamic and Javanese culture in the 16th century AD made this ceremony undergo major changes, apart from the Hindu/Buddhist prayers that were originally used to be replaced with Islamic prayers, offerings and offerings are also no longer used in this ceremony.

Based on its purpose, this Javanese traditional ceremony is divided into several types which include:

1. Kenduren wetonan (wedalan) is a kenduren ceremony that is held on someone's birthday (weton) as a means to pray for longevity together.

2. Kenduren sabanan (muntungan) is a ceremony performed to raise the ancestors of the Javanese before entering the fasting month. This kenduren ceremony is generally carried out at the end of the month of Sya'ban, before the Nykar ritual or the sowing of flowers on their ancestral graves is carried out.

3. Kenduren likuran is a kenduren ceremony that is held on the 21st of the fasting month and is carried out to commemorate the revelation of the Qur'an or Nujulul Quran.

4. Kenduren ba'dan is a celebration that is held on 1 Shawwal or on Eid al-Fitr, the purpose of which is to bring down the ancestral spirits to their resting places.

5. Kenduren kata is a ceremonial ritual that is held in a Javanese family and has a purpose or goal, for example when they want to send prayers to ancestral spirits, circumcisions, weddings, and so on. Kenduren muludan is a Javanese traditional ceremony that is held every 12th of the month of Maulud with the aim of commemorating the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad SAW.

2. Grebeg Ceremony

Apart from the kenduren ceremony, in Java, it is also known as the Grebeg Ceremony. This ceremony is held 3 times a year, namely on 12 Mulud (the third month), 1 Sawal (the tenth month), and 10 Big (the twelfth month). This ceremony was held as a form of royal gratitude for God's gifts and blessings.

3. Sekaten Ceremony

Sekaten is a Javanese traditional ceremony that is held within seven days as a form of commemorating the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. Based on its origin, the word Sekaten which is the name of the ceremony comes from the term Syahadatain, which in Islam is known as the sentence of monotheism. The sekaten ceremony was carried out by removing the two sets of gamelan sekati from the palace, namely gamelan Kyai Gunturmadu and gamelan Kyai Guntursari to be placed in front of the Surakarta Grand Mosque.

4. Ruwatan Ceremony

The ruwatan ceremony is a Javanese traditional ceremony that is carried out with the aim of purifying or purifying a person from all bad luck and providing safety in living life. An example of the ruwatan ceremony is the one carried out in the Dieng Plateau. Dreadlocked children who are considered descendants of buto or giants must be treated for a ritual immediately to be free from all harm.

5. Javanese Traditional Wedding Ceremony

In Javanese traditional marriages, a wedding ceremony is also known which is very unique and sacred. There are many stages that must be passed in this Javanese traditional ceremony, starting from splashing, splashing, grinding ceremonies, midodareni, srah-srahan or peningsetan, nyantri, panggih or bride-to-be gathering ceremonies, balancing orders, the wiji dadi ritual, the Kacar Kucur or Tampa ritual. rich, dhahar klimah or dhahar kembul rituals, sungkeman ceremonies and so on.

6. Tedak Siten Ceremony

The tedak siten ceremony is a Javanese traditional ceremony that is held for babies aged 8 months when they start learning to walk. This ceremony in several other areas is also known as the ceremony down the ground. The purpose of holding this ceremony is none other than to express the gratitude of the parents for the health of their child who has started to be able to walk in the natural surroundings.

7. Tingkepan Ceremony

The tingkepan ceremony (mitoni) is a Javanese traditional ceremony that is performed when a woman is 7 months pregnant. At this ceremony, the woman will be bathed in the water of the setaman flower accompanied by prayers from the elders, so that her pregnancy will be safe until the delivery process later.

8. Kebo Keboan Ceremony

The majority of the Javanese people work as farmers and also have their own ceremonial rituals. Kebo-keboan – as the name implies, is a traditional Javanese ceremony that is carried out to reject all misfortunes and misfortunes on the plants they plant, so that these plants can grow well and produce a satisfying harvest. In this ceremony, 30 people dressed like buffalo will be paraded around the village. They will dress up and walk like buffalo plowing a field.

9. Larung Offering Ceremony

The larung sesaji ceremony is a ceremony held by the Javanese who live on the north and south coasts of Java. This ceremony is held as an expression of gratitude for the catch of fish while they are at sea and as a request that they are always given safety when in business. Various foodstuffs and animals that have been slaughtered will be floated or washed into the sea every 1st of Muharram in this Javanese traditional ceremony.

So, those are the nine Javanese traditional ceremonies that are still being preserved and carried out today. Interesting right..? So that this article can be even better, we will continue to update it along with additional information that continues to grow. If there are suggestions or criticisms, please convey them through the comments column.

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Philosophy 4 Traditional Houses of North Sumatra (Batak)

Even though the Bolon traditional house is considered the only nationally recognized identity for the traditional North Sumatran house, did you know that the Batak people in North Sumatra actually have more than one residential architectural style? The Batak tribe itself is divided into several sub-tribes, namely the Karo Batak, Simalungun Batak, Pakpak Batak, Toba Batak, Angkola Batak, and Mandailing Batak, each tribe having different traditional house architectural arts. In the following, we will discuss some of the traditional North Sumatran houses of the Batak children one by one. North Sumatra Traditional House.

1. Bolon Traditional House, Toba Batak

The Toba Batak traditional house or commonly called Rumah Bolon has been asked to represent the traditional house of North Sumatra on the national stage. The house is rectangular in shape and is included in the category of stilt houses and is generally inhabited by 4-6 families who live together.

If in Java and other tribes in Sumatra the stilt style house is deliberately made to avoid attacks by wild animals, the bolon traditional house is actually deliberately made on stilts so that it has a bottom of the house. The house is then used as a cage for their pets such as pigs, chickens, or goats.

If you want to enter the bolon house, you have to go through a ladder at the front of the house. The staircase has an odd number of steps, and upon entering this house, we will be forced to duck because of the short door of the house. The door of the house is deliberately made short so that guests bow down so that philosophically they are considered to respect the owner of the house. So, here is the physical appearance of this Toba Batak traditional house.

2. Siwaluh Jabu Traditional House, Karo Batak

The Siwaluh Jabu traditional house, as it is commonly called, is a Karo Batak traditional house whose existence can still be found today. This house is architecturally very artistic style. The walls are tilted, the roof is in the form of a three-story triangle, and at the top of each triangle is decorated with a buffalo head symbolizing prosperity.

The Siwaluh Jabu traditional house is generally very large. It is usually inhabited by around 8 indigenous families. Each family in the house generally has its own role. There are those who act as leaders, workers, cooks, and so on. The following is the physical appearance of this traditional house in North Sumatra.

  

3. Bolon Traditional House, Simalungun Batak

The Simalungun Batak has a traditional house with the same name as the Toba Batak traditional house, namely the bolon house. Even though it has the same name, architecturally the Bolon traditional house in the Simalungun Batak style is different from the Bolon house in the Toba Batak style. The difference lies in the pillars, roof style, and decoration.

The supporting pillars of the Simalungun Batak traditional house are arranged horizontally across and resting on unpacked foundations. The style of the roof is high with a very steep slope and is equipped with windows. The decoration also has more aesthetic value because of the carved ornaments on the wooden walls. The following is the front view of this North Sumatra traditional house.

4. Bagas Godang Traditional House, Mandailing Batak

One of the remnants of the architectural art heritage of the Mandailing tribe in North Sumatra in the past is the architectural art of the Bagas Godang house. This traditional house in North Sumatra in the past was intended as the residence of the king. Therefore, this godang bagas house is usually built on a large complex and its existence is generally always accompanied by the Sopo Godang building or traditional hall.

Both the Bagas Godang house and the sopo godang building are stilt houses supported by an odd number of large wooden pillars, the same as the number of steps.

So, those are some of the traditional houses of North Sumatra which come from 6 children of the Batak tribe who are the original inhabitants. It's classic, isn't it..? Interested in making a dwelling in the style of one of the Batak traditional houses above? Please try!

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Philosophy 3 Betawi Traditional Clothing

The Betawi people are considered as a tribe with a very high level of cultural acculturation in Indonesia. Looking at history, this tribe originating from DKI Jakarta and its surroundings has indeed received a lot of influence from various cultures of people outside the region. Chinese, Arab and Dutch traders as well as other tribal people in Indonesia have made many contributions to the development of customs in this tribe since ancient times. This is what makes the customs and culture of the Betawi people so unique and different.

We can see the differences and uniqueness of the Betawi tribe from many things, starting from how the architecture of their dwellings (traditional houses), how they dress (traditional clothes), to various traditions and ceremonies which are still sustainable today. Well, actually in this blog we will discuss these three things, but on this occasion, we will only discuss Betawi traditional clothing. For Betawi traditional house architecture and traditional ceremonies, maybe we will discuss it on another occasion.

Betawi Traditional Clothing

In general, we have classified Betawi traditional clothing into 3 types, namely traditional clothing for daily use, traditional clothing for official events, and traditional wedding clothing commonly worn by Betawi brides. In the following, we will discuss this three one by one.

1. Betawi Traditional Clothing

For daily life, Betawi people usually wear simple clothes. The men wear plain-colored Koko or conscious clothes, long underpants with simple batik motifs, a cloth attached in the form of a sarong or shawl slung over their shoulders, and a black velvet cap. As for the women, they will generally wear a short-sleeved shirt with short sleeves, geometric patterned batik cloth in bright colors, and a headscarf that matches the color of the dress. The following is an example of an image of Betawi traditional clothing that is used in their daily lives.

2. Traditional Betawi Clothing

In official events such as weddings, celebrations, or big days, the Betawi people have official clothes that are considered very antique. The men wore black jackets with gold chain decorations on their pockets, black cloth trousers with short sarongs, and black caps to cover their heads. Women, they wear clothes that are actually still similar to their daily clothes, namely brackets, geometric patterned batik cloth, and brightly colored headscarves. The following is the appearance of Betawi traditional clothing in the official event.

3. Traditional Betawi wedding attire

In contrast to everyday clothes and official wear, the Betawi traditional clothes worn by brides are clothes that are thick with a mixture of Chinese, Arabic, and Western cultures. It is not surprising that this wedding dress was given a strange name, “Care Hajj Dress Up” for Betawi men's wedding dress and “Cine Bride Care None Dress Up”.

The hajj care attire worn by the groom during his wedding includes brightly colored robes and headgear made of turbans. As decoration, they will also wear scarves patterned with gold thread and brightly colored beads. Meanwhile, the care none of cine brides includes bright Chinese-style blouses made of satin, dark-colored skirts called Kun, and as a complement, on their heads, they use rocking flowers with hong-bird motifs with a fake bun complete with a veil on the face.

On the bun, jasmine flower ornaments formed by combs and ronje complement the beauty. Other jewelry used by Betawi brides is an electric bracelet, a wide necklace, and beads worn on the chest. For footwear, they use boat-style slippers. So, for more details, see the following pictures of Betawi traditional clothes.

So, that's information about the repertoire of Betawi traditional clothing, starting from everyday clothes, official clothes, and wedding clothes. Hopefully, it can be useful so that our knowledge about the assets of the Indonesian nation's cultural heritage is increasing. Regards.

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