Author: Louie Buana

Seorang warga Panakkukang yang sedang belajar hukum dan sejarah di Universiteit Leiden, Belanda. Sedari kecil sudah sering berpindah-pindah, dari Pulau Timor hingga Athens (Ohio, Amerika Serikat). Saat ini ia juga menjadi Guest Researcher di Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian & Carribean Studies (KITLV) Leiden. Punya hobi jalan-jalan, membaca buku dan karaoke.

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101 La Galigo Featured Liputan

Surviving Folklores

It was a cloudy December 12, 2011. Earlier in the morning, I planned to go to an exhibition related to indigenous oral tradition. Although that day wasn’t the best monday leisure of mine, I still decided to attend the event considering the rareness of its topic.  So, amidst class traffic and capricious rain, I went to Alphabeta Journal’s Spoken Belief: Audio-Visual Interpretation. It was one of my very inspiring afternoon.

The exhibition was held at LIR Space which is located on Bachiro area, Yogyakarta. My first impression was “what an unique venue!”. LIR Space maybe hasn’t enjoyed that much publication or customers, since they just started to roll the dice this July. But the atmosphere is so familiar and unique. They uses 3 in 1 (bookstore-boutique-cafe) concept and surrounding it with Butterbeer from Harry Potter; Homemade Ginger Ale and Picnic Sandwich of Enid Blyton’s classic; Pippi Long Stocking’s Pancake; and Afternoon Tea Set that come straight out of Alice in Wonderland story on their menu’s lists. All of sudden, I found myself on childhood backyard again.

Spoken Belief: Audio-Visual Interpretation is an appreciation toward tales and folklores in Indonesia, by Alphabeta Journal. The exhibition was divided into two chapters: the first is visual exhibition through drawings and paintings, and the second is the audio interpretation. Eight young artists were participated on the visual interpretation. Their wildest imagination let go their skills to sweep the canvas, telling the chosen folklores. You can see how these talented artists defined their own version of some well-known fairytales, such as Lutung Kasarung, The Prince and Mosquito, Slugs and Deer, and many more. However, the folklores are not merely picturesque in an easy way; most of the paintings are strikingly sophisticated and abstract. You will enjoy them as combination of fetterless craft and deep philosophical thoughts. On Sunday, December 18 the audio interpretation began. Stop Lichten, a local band brought their musical performance to tell the visitors about childhood fairytales using modern tones. The exhibition was opened from December 12 until 24, 2011.

The Author (left). And his friend (right).

Although I didn’t find any La Galigo interpretation being showed on both visual and audio exhibition, I found a South Celebes folklore from Bone, Putri Tadampalik and the Bull. It is a very famous story, taken from Pau-Pau Rikadong or the collection of advices and proverbs of The Bugis. The story goes long before Islamic belief infiltrate The Kingdom of Luwu. An exquisite yet so generous princess called Her Grace Tadampalik is the daughter of Datu Luwu (the king). One day, out of nowhere she suffered of inexplicable skin diseases (maja’ uli) which turned her face ugly and her body smelly. The councils of Luwu asked the Datu to expell her from the kingdom, in hope that the skin diseases would not infect the king’s subjects. Brokenhearted by the decision, the Datu of Luwu himself then commanded Her Grace Tadampalik to broad on a small bamboo raft with several lady-in-waiting. She followed the river stream, and finally landed on a jungle.

She decided to live there with her attendants and spent most of her time praying to Dewata with great patient. One day, when she was alone on the yard, a big albino bull came and licked her skin. The bull’s saliva magically cured the disease. After healed Princess Tadampalik, the bull suddenly disappeared. Her Grace was very grateful, but she remained to stay in that remote place rather than come back to Luwu. The story continues with the visit of prince from The Kingdom of Bone and his hunting team near Tadampalik’s abode. Shortly told, the prince met Tadampalik, he found out that she was actually the daughter of King Luwu, married her, and then ruled the Kingdom of Bone together.

Visual Interpretation of Princess Tadampalik and The Bull

Folklores were told by parents to their children orally, from generation to generation. Saving folklores or traditional values through modern package like this exhibition is very important. Many kids nowadays are more familiar with Disney Characters or Japanese Anime rather than their ancestors-made stories. Internet, smartphone, and games also contributes on causing the lackness of interest toward old tales. Alphabeta Journal has proven that as youngsters we could still enjoy globalization and beautiful folklores from our fathers side by side. This Spoken Belief: Audio-Visual Interpretation is an homage to oral tradition, and a jar of creativity for youth thru music and art. Let’s be inspired! Let’s spread this spirit!

 

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Lontara Project

La Galigo Music Project

Can’t you feel it? Music makes the world go ’round! – Stevie Wonder

Mr. Stevie was right, one of the best way to promote La Galigo among youth nowadays is thru music! We don’t have any better choice than summoning these talented and fresh musicians… Together, they combine forces to arrange traditional musics and songs from South Sulawesi (and also mix it with musics from other region in Nusantara, such as Jawa, Sumatera and Borneo) for you. So far, they’ve been creating new tones for “Ininnawa Sabbara’e” (a Buginese lullaby that is also played for Tari Pajoge’) and Sulawesi Medley of “Anging Mammiri-Sipatokaan-Tondok Kadadiangku-Tenga Tenga Lopi”.

Can’t wait to hear how good does it sound?

Let’s check their profile 🙂

Muhammad Yusuf

Muhammad Yusuf

Grew up in Jakarta, this young guitar-master which famously known as Ucup doesn’t talk alot. But when he hold his guitar, beware ladies and gents! He will shake your world with his wonderful talents! Meeting Balawan during his freshmen year has inspired him to improve his skill. He brought a new light on Faculty of Law Universitas Gadjah Mada as the leader of Sanggar “APAKAH” (2010-2011). No doubt, he’s one of the best asset that we got to enrich the project!

Louie Buana

Ahlul, or famously known among his friends as Louie is once an exchange student to United States of America (2007-2008). There, he realized how beauty is the Indonesian culture. His interest on diversity and cultural preservation has something to do with his childhood where he lived in three different islands before reaching 19 (Sumatera, Bali and Celebes). He was also a vocal student at Purwacaraka Music School in Makassar.

Putri Fistyaning Army

Putri Fistyaning Army

Born on October 27, 1989 this wonderful young girl leads her own future by applying for Guitar Classic Studies at Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI), Yogyakarta. She formed a band call “Green Apple” and now is on her way to make a debut. Her love to music is indescribable; ranged from Pop rock to karawitan! Although she is Javanese, grew up in Celebes for Seventeen years has put the island and it’s people close to her heart. Bravo!

Himawan Eka Putra

Himawan Eka Putra

This third year Law Student is very active! He joined Gadjah Mada Chamber Orchestra (GMCO) as Violast, Paduan Suara Mahasiswa UGM, and several Vocal Groups. Very talented, he originally comes from Purbalingga and proud of his Javanese “ngapak” style. He enjoy playing badminton, swimming and also watching National Geographic.

Wait til we post their musics to you! They’ll also do some test drives around crowds in Yogyakarta, so make sure you know them when they hit the music. Until then, keep spreading La Galigo with us 🙂

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101 La Galigo Featured Kareba-Kareba

Bule-Bule yang Kepincut La Galigo: Thomas Stamford Raffles

Thomas Stamford Raffles (6 Juli 1781 –  5 Juli 1826)

Dunia tidak akan pernah mengenal La Galigo jika tidak melalui Raffles.

Thomas Stamford Raffles

Yup, meskipun sang Gubernur Jendral Inggris untuk Hindia Belanda ini tidak pernah menulis buku khusus ataupun meneliti lebih jauh perihal La Galigo, di dalam bukunya yang berjudul  “History of Java”  untuk pertama kalinya Ia memperkenalkan epik itu ke dunia Barat. Pembahasan singkatnya tentang La Galigo membuat mata kalangan antropolog, ahli bahasa, sejarawan, dan bahkan misionaris mengarah ke Sulawesi Selatan.

Dilahirkan di atas geladak kapal Ann di perairan Jamaika dari ayah yang hanya seorang tukang masak (kemudian menjadi kapten) dan ibu rumah tangga biasa, Raffles kecil tumbuh menjadi seorang pemuda yang memiliki kecintaan terhadap lingkungan. Di usianya yang keempat belas (1795) dengan pendidikan formal seadanya Ia bekerja sebagai seorang juru tulis di kantor British East India Company yang tersohor itu di London. Raffles dikenal sebagai pemuda yang tekun dan rajin, berkat keuletannya itu Ia dipromosikan menjadi Asisten Sekretaris untuk wilayah Kepulauan Melayu. Saat sedang menjalankan tugasnya di Penang (Malaysia), pada tahun 1805 Ia menikah dengan seorang janda bernama Olivia Mariamne Fancourt serta menjalin persahabatan dengan Thomas Otho Travers.

Kemahiran Raffles dalam berbahasa Melayu serta kecerdikan berpikirnya membuat Lord Minto (Gubernur Jendral Inggris untuk India saat itu) menjadikannya favorite. Ia dikirim ke Tanah Jawa sebagai Lieutenant Governor of Java (1811) dan mengatur ekspedisi melawan Belanda. Karir Raffles semakin melesat karena keberhasilannya mendapatkan Pulau Bangka (hasil negosiasi dengan Belanda) dan penaklukkannya terhadap beberapa pangeran lokal. Ia dianugerahi jabatan sebagai Gubernur Jendral mulai tahun 1811-1816. Pada tahun 1815 Ia sempat kembali ke London karena mengidap penyakit tropis yang cukup parah serta kesedihan mendalam atas meninggalnya sang istri di Jawa karena malaria tahun sebelumnya.

Raffles kembali pada tahun 1818 ke timur sebagai Gubernur Bengkulu. Kecintaannya pada lingkungan membuatnya amat bergairah menjelajahi hutan-hutan Sumatra dan mengumpulkan berbagai macam spesimen flora maupun fauna. Saat berada di Sumatra itulah Ia menggagas sebuah proyek bernama “Singapore’ sebagai pelampiasan rasa kecewa karena kembalinya Pulau Jawa ke tangan Belanda. Raffles bersumpah menciptakan koloni baru yang meskipun kecil, namun akan lebih maju daripada Jawa (terbukti kini Singapura menjadi negara dengan kualitas pendidikan dan ekonomi lebih baik ketimbang Indonesia pada umumnya). Buku History of Java sendiri pertama kali terbit tahun 1817, dan menjadi booming di Eropa. Raffles pernah sesumbar bahwa tidak ada orang yang memiliki informasi mengenai Jawa sebanyak yang Ia miliki.

The History of java - Thomas Stamford Raffless

Berkaitan dengan La Galigo, Raffles menganggap penting untuk membahas mengenai suku Bugis-Makassar di dalam bukunya, mengingat kehadiran dan kekuasaan bangsa pelaut ini dihampir seluruh perairan nusantara. Di samping suku Jawa dan Melayu, Raffles menilai bahwa peranan mereka pun amat signifikan dalam usaha pihak asing menaklukkan kepulauan Indonesia. Ia menceritakan bagaimana para bangsawan di negara-negara Bugis merunutkan kisah permulaan dunia pada suatu periode yang disebut-sebut sebagai zaman Galiga (La Galigo).

Galiga ini berisi hikayat Sawera Gading, cerita rakyat Luwu atau Lawat dari Surga. Mitos yang didengarnya dari seorang Duta Besar Bugis itu dimulai dari pernikahan “makhluk gaib” berjenis kelamin perempuan yang menikah dengan Taja Rasupa, seseorang yang muncul dari tanah (to tompoq). Cerita dilanjutkan dengan kehadiran tomanurung di kala hujan badai serta peran “manusia” tersebut sebagai pembentuk dinasti raja-raja Bone. Kisah semakin berkembang dengan cerita mengenai diturunkannya Betara Guru (juga dari jenis tomanurung), putra sulung Dewata Pitutu ke muka bumi di dalam sebilah bambu. Raffles percaya bahwa kisah Sawera Gading dikarang oleh sang anak, La Galiga yang merupakan cucu dari Betara Guru. Publikasi buku History of Java yang banyak dibaca oleh kalangan akademisi saat itu membuka lubang kunci kajian mengenai La Galigo di dunia.

Referensi:
Raffles, Thomas Stamford. “The History of Java”. Yogyakarta: Penerbit Narasi, 2008.