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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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101 La Galigo Featured Kareba-Kareba

La Galigo, Now and Then

There are so many things that could happen as the time goes by, and changes can’t be avoided. As an ancient manuscript, La Galigo has experienced a lot of different things through ages. Then and now, what happened to La Galigo?

Then

  • Hundreds of years ago, many Buginese people considered La Galigo as a sacred literature. The manuscripts were even wrapped in a clean piece of white cloth and placed in an appropriate place. Putting it on the floor or in a dirty room is a big NO. People at that time highly respected it. They would burn incense before holding or reading it.

  • Lines from the manuscripts were read and sung in many traditional occasions such as wedding. The wedding couple would feel really blessed when it was sung in their wedding. If it is compared to a nowadays wedding, the lines sung would be those songs sung in a reception to present a solemn atmosphere.

  • La Galigo was believed as a bad luck repellent. People would read it when they move to a new house. In Buginese tradition, there is a traditional ceremony held when a family enters a new house. The purpose is to avoid bad luck so the family will have a good time living in it.

  • When a person was sick, La Galigo was read with a hope that he would recover soon. This is probably due to the story of La Galigo that tells about a character named Opunna Luwuq who had a kind of shade which if it is spread to the whole country, diseases would disappear.

  • Not to mention, La Galigo also contains a lot of knowledge essential to royal family that it was used as a reference before a traditional ceremony was held. The royal family would search for information regarding the preparations and make sure that they were doing it in a right way. La Galigo contains a story about kingdoms and provides detail explanations about certain traditional ceremonies conducted by the royal family as the story developed.

  • Apart from its serious functions in Buginese community, La Galigo was also an entertainment for them. When people are sad, they would read or sing it.

 

La Galigo Theatre in Italy by Robert Wilson. Source: Bali Purnati

Now

  • Buginese people almost completely forget about La Galigo. So sad it is. The whole nation probably completely does not know or even never have heard about it. La Galigo manuscripts are now kept in Makassar, Jakarta, and Leiden. Leiden Univeristy Library, Netherlands, owns the most complete collection. Manuscripts are placed in a special place with a certain temperature to keep them from decaying. It is such an irony, though. Its own homeland does not even have its complete manuscripts.

  • UNESCO has acknowledged La Galigo as Memory of the World under the name of Indonesia and The Netherlands in 2011. It was because the effort of Dr. Mukhlis PaEni from Indonesia and Dr. Roger Tol from The Netherlands who nominate La Galigo to be registered as Memory of The World in 2008. Three years has been passed, and finally La Galigo is in the list.

  • La Galigo has been adapted into theatrical performance by Robert Wilson, an American director and playwright. He has been interested in experimental and innovative cultural works since he began working. On his cold hands, La Galigo has become such an inspiration and performed in international stage since 2004. World admit it as one of the best theatrical performances. Its world premiere took place in Singapore, and received a round of applause. After performing in Asia, Europe, Australia, and the United States, La Galigo was finally shown in Fort Rotterdam, Makassar, for three consecutive days, April 22-24 2011.

Despite to what happened then and now to La Galigo, it is still remain the same. It is still the world hidden cultural treasure that is long for discovery and preservation.

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101 La Galigo Featured Kareba-Kareba

La Galigo as Memory of The World: Pengakuan UNESCO untuk Indonesia

Penasaran, mengapa La Galigo dikategorikan oleh UNESCO sebagai Memory of The World? Yuk baca tulisan Fitria Sudirman untuk lebih mengetahui seluk-beluk penghargaan terhadap kebudayaan ini!

 Suatu dokumen warisan bernilai universal memang sudah sepantasnya dihargai dan dilindungi. Kita tidak mau kan peninggalan-peninggalan sejarah suatu bangsa raib, entah kemana rimbanya. Padahal peninggalan-peninggalan tersebut bisa menjadi salah satu media untuk menelusuri jejak peradaban manusia. Untuk itu, United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), salah satu badan di bawah naungan Perserikatan Bangsa-Bangsa (PBB) yang berfokus pada kerja sama antar negara melalui pendidikan, ilmu pengetahuan, dan budaya menghadirkan “Memory of the World”.

Apa sih Memory of the World itu? Memory of the World merupakan salah satu program UNESCO yang dimulai pada tahun 1992. Program ini adalah suatu inisiatif internasional untuk melindungi warisan dokumenter dari berbagai bahaya, seperti bahaya kerusakan akibat waktu dan kondisi iklim, kerusakan yang disengaja maupun tidak disengaja, hingga bahaya dilupakan oleh bangsanya sendiri. Ibaratnya Memory of the World ini adalah polisi yang memastikan warisan tersebut aman dan masih dapat dinikmati oleh generasi selanjutnya. Nah, apa saja sih yang dapat digolongkan sebagai warisan dokumenter? Macam-macam, bisa berupa dokumen, naskah atau manuskrip, tradisi lisan, audio-visual, arsip perpustakaan, dan arsip-arsip bernilai universal lainnya. Setiap organisasi atau individu dapat menominasikan warisan dokumenter yang dianggapnya layak untuk didaftarkan dalam Memory of the World. Setiap warisan dokumenter yang didaftarkan akan diseleksi oleh suatu badan pengurus yang dikenal sebagai Komite Penasihat Internasional, atau International Advisory Committee (IAC), yang keempatbelas anggotanya ditunjuk langsung oleh Direktur Utama UNESCO. Bagi yang lulus seleksi mereka akan dimasukkan ke dalam suatu daftar yang disebut Memory of the World Register.

Lalu, apa yang menjadi standar kelayakan suatu nominasi? IAC menetapkan beberapa kriteria sebagai berikut:

  • Pengaruh – Warisan tersebut haruslah memiliki pengaruh yang besar, tidak hanya terhadap budaya nasional suatu bangsa, tetapi juga terhadap budaya dunia.

  • Waktu – Warisan tersebut harus mencerminkan suatu periode perubahan penting yang berkaitan dengan dunia atau memiliki kontribusi terhadap pemahaman dunia pada suatu poin penting dalam sejarah.

  • Tempat – Warisan tersebut harus mengandung informasi penting mengenai lokalitas atau daerah tertentu yang telah berkontribusi untuk perkembangan besar dalam dunia sejarah dan budaya.

  • Masyarakat – Dokumen tersebut harus memiliki suatu asosiasi spesial dengan kehidupan atau karya seseorang atau masyarakat yang telah membuat kontribusi luar biasa untuk sejarah dunia atau budaya.

  • Subyek – Warisan tersebut harus mendokumentasikan suatu subjek penting atau tema utama sejarah dunia atau budaya dalam cara yang luar biasa.

  • Bentuk dan Gaya – Dokumen tersebut harus mewakili bentuk atau gaya yang tidak biasa.

  • Nilai sosial – Warisan tersebut harus memiliki nilai budaya, sosial, dan spiritual yang melampaui budaya nasional tertentu.

Selain kriteria-kriteria di atas, terdapat juga dua kriteria tambahan yang bersifat meningkatkan standar penilaian, yaitu

  • Integritas – Dokumen tersebut harus memiliki tingkat integritas atau kesempurnaan yang tinggi.

  • Kelangkaan – Dokumen tersebut harus unik atau langka, hanya ada satu di dunia ini.

Saat ini, terdapat 238 warisan dokumenter yang terdaftar dalam Memory of the World Register, termasuk La Galigo. Adalah Dr. Mukhlis PaEni dari Indonesia dan Dr. Roger Tol dari Belanda yang berinisiatif untuk menominasikan La Galigo ke dalam Memory of the World pada tahun 2008. Dr. Mukhlis PaEni adalah seorang peneliti yang berasal dari Sulawesi Selatan. Beliau telah melakukan berbagai penelitian mengenai La Galigo dan membuat sebuah katalog manuskrip Sulawesi Selatan, termasuk naskah-naskah La Galigo. Dr. Roger Tol juga merupakan seorang peneliti yang telah banyak melakukan penelitian mengenai La Galigo. Beliau bekerja di  KITLV/Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies dan terlibat dalam produksi edisi-edisi teks La Galigo. Setelah tiga tahun berlalu, akhirnya pada tahun 2011, UNESCO mengakui La Galigo sebagai “Memory of the World” atas negara Indonesia dan Belanda. Yeay!          

Nah, pengakuan ini pasti ada dasarnya dong. Sebagai suatu karya sastra yang bisa dikategorikan the hidden cultural treasure, La Galigo memang memenuhi kriteria yang membuatnya pantas menjadi Memory of the World.

La Galigo telah ada sejak berabad-abad lalu dan menjadi tradisi oral di masyarakat Bugis Sulawesi Selatan hingga pada akhirnya ditulis di atas daun lontar setelah masyarakat Bugis mengenal huruf lontarak. Banyak pendapat mengenai kapan hal ini terjadi, namun pada umumnya berpendapat bahwa La Galigo mulai dituliskan sebelum abad ke-16 yaitu sebelum Islam masuk di Sulawesi Selatan mengingat kisah La Galigo yang masih bercerita tentang dewa-dewa dan tidak mengandung unsur Islam. Barulah pada abad ke-17 La Galigo mulai disalin di atas kertas ketika orang Belanda datang membawa peradabannya. Terbagi menjadi 12 volume manuskrip yang terdiri dari kurang lebih 300.000 baris teks dan 6000 halaman folio membuat La Galigo menjadi epik terpanjang di dunia mengalahkan kisah Mahabharata sekalipun. Ini belum termasuk teks-teks yang hilang dimakan zaman dan bagian-bagian episode lainnya yang tidak sempat diceritakan oleh Bissu, pemegang tradisi oral, karena telah meninggal dunia. Gaya penulisannya indah, menggunakan bahasa Bugis Kuno (yang sudah tidak digunakan lagi sekarang) dalam aksara Lontarak. Bersetting di Sulawesi Selatan pada periode pra-Islamisasi, La Galigo mengisahkan mitos penciptaan ras Austronesia yang menjadi salah satu bagian dari sejarah peradaban manusia. Nilai budaya, sosial, dan spiritual ditunjukkan secara eksplisit dan implisit melalui kejadian-kejadian dan penokohan karakter-karakternya. Lalu, apakah ada karya sastra lain yang seperti La Galigo ini? Hmm… Jawabannya tidak ada!

Ada banyak penelitian tentang La Galigo semenjak akhir abad lalu, sayangnya kebanyakan merupakan hasil peneliti asing. B.F. Matthes, misalnya, adalah seorang peneliti Belanda yang merupakan orang pertama yang melakukan penelitian sistematis terhadap La Galigo. Beliau bahkan membuat kamus Bugis-Belanda yang memuat banyak contoh bahasa yang digunakan dalam La Galigo pada tahun 1874. Kamus ini hingga sekarang dapat dikatakan sebagai sumber bahasa La Galigo yang paling penting.

Hanya segelintir orang Indonesia yang mengetahui La Galigo. Sebagian besar warga Makassar terbilang cukup familiar dengan namanya karena dipakai sebagai nama kafe dan jalan. Namun, tidak banyak yang mengetahui dan menyadari bahwa La Galigo sebenarnya adalah peninggalan sejarah yang sangat berharga. Jika ditanyakan ke-10 orang pemuda, mungkin hanya 1 orang saja yang bisa menjawab benar pertanyaan tentang La Galigo. Kita mungkin cukup sibuk dengan globalisasi hingga melupakan hal-hal lokal, padahal justru hal-hal seperti itulah yang membentuk identitas kita sebagai suatu bangsa. Begitu ada negara lain aja yang mencaplok budaya lokal kita, baru deh ketar-ketir seperti orang kebakaran jenggot. So, marilah kita pelihara budaya kita, dunia saja sudah mengakuinya sebagai Memory of The World!

Referensi:

Zon, Dato’ Habibah. UNESCO MEMORY OF THE WORLD PROGRAMME: The Asia-Pacific Strategy. April 17 1999.  11 Dec. 2011. <http://web.archive.org/web/20050228192535/http://www.geocities.com/seapavaa/whatsnew/memory.htm>