Aisyah Riska, a student from the Master’s Program in Linguistics at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), is an inspiring figure hailing from South Sulawesi. Aisyah’s decision to continue her studies at UGM was a great decision. She aimed to earn her master’s degree and develop her potential in both academic and non-academic fields.

In the academic sphere, Aisyah has shown outstanding achievements. However, her excellence is not limited to academics alone. Aisyah is also active in various non-academic activities that enrich her experience and contribute positively to her surroundings.

As a person with a talent for the arts, Aisyah joined the Seni Pascasarjana UGM and served as the Head of the Theater Division. Additionally, she is active in Theater Gadjah Mada, a prominent theater organization at the university. Aisyah’s skill in theater not only hones her acting abilities but also enhances her communication and teamwork skills.

Not only active in arts organizations, Aisyah is also highly dedicated to the field of education. She actively teaches students from elementary to high school levels who are preparing for graduation exams or entrance exams for the next educational stage. Through this teaching, Aisyah hopes to make a tangible contribution to improving the quality of education for the younger generation.

Aisyah’s public speaking ability also allows her to have an exposure to the role of Master of Ceremony (MC) or moderator at various important events, both at the university level and events organized by local government agencies. Her role as an MC or moderator not only proves her communication skills but also showcases her confidence and high professionalism.

In addition to her academic achievements and involvement in various activities, Aisyah is also focused on being a content creator. Currently, she is part-time worker at the Unit of Public Relations and Cooperation FIB UGM. There, she is responsible for producing content focused on the TikTok platform.

Aisyah has produced many creative contents that have gone viral, demonstrating her ability to understand trends and audience needs. Through the content she has created, Aisyah not only promotes faculty activities and achievements but also provides inspiration and valuable information to many people.

Aisyah Riska’s story is a true example of a student who not only pursues academic excellence but also actively contributes in various fields. Despite her busy schedule and responsibilities, Aisyah continues to show high commitment and dedication. She is an inspiration to many other students to keep striving for their dreams and making a positive impact on society.

Aisyah Riska proves that with hard work, passion, and dedication, one can achieve various accomplishments and make a real contribution to their surroundings. May Aisyah’s inspirational story motivate more students to keep creating and achieving.

Davina Santosa, a student from the Tourism Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, had the opportunity to undertake the Community Service Program (KKN-PPM UGM) on Nusi Island, Padaido Islands, Biak Numfor Regency, Papua. Together with the KKN team “Biak Elok,” they began their journey on June 29, 2024, under the guidance of Dr. Eng. Ir. R. Rachmat A. Sriwijaya, S.T., M.T., IPM., ASEAN, and will complete their activities on August 20, 2024.

Davina chose to join this team because she wanted to explore the lives of people outside Java. She was interested in understanding the social, cultural, and economic aspects of the local community. Davina felt it was important to know the characteristics of the community, the social approaches they take, and the challenges they face daily.

On Nusi Island, Davina and her team identified several key issues that need attention. First, there is economic disparity where job options are very limited as fishing is their only option. Second, accessibility to meet daily needs is very difficult. Third, lack of basic knowledge about cleanliness and health. Fourth, the allocation of village funds is uneven.

Their KKN theme is “Development of Tourism Potential and Human Resource Improvement Based on Community-Based Tourism Framework to Achieve Independence, Inclusivity, and Sustainability on Nusi Island, Padaido District, Biak Numfor Regency, Papua.” In implementing this program, Davina found that there was no active tourism awareness group in the Padaido Islands. The last one was in Samberpasi, formed by the Biak Elok KKN Team in 2019, but it is no longer active. This shows that public awareness of the importance of sustainable tourism management is still very limited.

Additionally, Davina also found that community knowledge about waste management is very lacking. In Nusi and several other islands such as Samberpasi, Pasi, and Auki, garbage bins are rarely found in residents’ homes. Organic waste is usually given to their pets such as dogs and pigs, while other waste is collected and burned. Therefore, one of their KKN programs focuses on educating about better and sustainable waste management.

Despite the social issues they face, Nusi Island has extraordinary natural wealth. The sea water, which is still relatively unpolluted, is a clear blue. Additionally, there are many World War II relics both on land and in the sea, such as the foundations of war vehicle runways in every house on Wundi Island.

The culture of sirih pinang here becomes a social interaction medium. Additionally, traditional dances like Yospan and various musical instruments such as tifa are part of the rich culture. The community also has interesting Christian worship traditions; if there is grief or a send-off of children for education, it is celebrated with worship from night until dawn. Furthermore, they believe that Sunday is God’s day, so they are not allowed to work. Children attend Sunday school every Sunday at 8 a.m., followed by church service at 9 a.m.

Socially, the people of Nusi Island are very friendly. There is a market day, which is a day when the market is held. Market days are held three times a week, namely on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, they usually go fishing, and their catch will be sold the next day on market day. Because not all residents have boats, they often hitch rides to the market in the city, which adds to the closeness among the residents.

After several weeks living in Nusi, Davina experienced the simple and full-of-struggle life of the community to meet their daily needs. Limited infrastructure and electricity make it difficult for the community to explore new things that could support their livelihoods or improve their quality of life. One of the challenges they face is that electricity is only available for 12 hours a day, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. As a result, ice blocks are very difficult to find. In fact, ice blocks could be used to preserve their catch, which could create new business opportunities such as making shredded fish, fish sticks, etc.

In addition to having the opportunity to explore the easternmost region of Indonesia, Davina also learned that economic and educational disparities still exist. People on the other side of Papua still really need help, both in terms of funding, accessibility, infrastructure, and knowledge expansion. However, despite living in simplicity, they can still be happy.

The KKN experience on Nusi Island provided many valuable lessons about the lives of Papuans, especially those on Nusi Island, Padaido Islands, Biak Numfor Regency, Papua. With enthusiasm and hard work, Davina and her team hope that this KKN program can contribute positively to the development of tourism potential and human resource improvement in the Padaido Islands, Biak Numfor Regency, Papua.

On July 4-7, 2024, the Department of Anthropology held a Mega-Infrastructure Workshop with the main speakers, David Fernando Bachrach from University Boulder Colorado and Professor Pujo Semedi. This activity aims to open interest in anthropological research on mega-infrastructure. Mega-infrastructure refers to infrastructure projects that have a large scale and high complexity such as the construction of toll roads, bridges, ports, airports, power plants, mass transportation systems, and other projects that play an important role in supporting the economic growth of a country or region. While providing great benefits in the long run, mega-infrastructure projects often face challenges and controversies. Some of them can have significant environmental impacts, such as deforestation, land degradation, or pollution. In addition, these projects can also affect local communities, either positively or negatively, such as population displacement or changes in traditional living patterns.

The workshop provided a deep insight into the social, economic and cultural complexities involved in mega-infrastructure development. David Fernando Bachrach discussed the impact of globalization and technology on modern infrastructure, while Professor Pujo Semedi highlighted the role of infrastructure in social transformation and local identity. The discussions and presentations from both presenters provided a strong basis for participants to develop research interests in anthropology related to how mega-infrastructure directly and indirectly affects people’s lives. This workshop is expected to be the start of further collaboration between researchers and practitioners to delve deeper into the challenges and opportunities associated with infrastructure development in a changing global context.

The Department of Language and Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada held an Expert Lecture on Literature with the theme “Literature in Digital Age” on Thursday, July 18, 2024. This event took place from 12.30 to 15.30 in Sogeondo Room 709 FIB UGM and virtually through Zoom Meeting. The lecture is an open forum for the general public, although offline attendance is limited. The speakers include Prof. Angus James Nicholls, Ph.D. from Queen Mary University of London, Dr. Pujiharto, M.Hum. from Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, and Miguel Escobar Varela, Ph.D. from National University of Singapore. The moderation of the event was conducted by Alvanita, S.S., M.Ed. from Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM.

Digital literary works include various formats such as e-books, literary blogs, literary websites, interactive stories and digital poetry. Some digital literary works also utilize multimedia elements such as images, audio and video to enhance the reading experience. This shows the development and adaptation of literature in the digital era, where technology becomes a means to express ideas and emotions in a more dynamic and interactive way. A new phenomenon in the literary world emerges with the existence of works created by robots or machines such as ChatGPT. Martin S.’s book “Poet as Machine” highlights this phenomenon. In the concept of the poet as machine, the use of language is managed entirely by the machine, and the resulting literary work is able to create its own narrative world through the use of carefully programmed language. This illustrates a new evolution in the way we understand creativity and the relationship between technology and art, as well as how algorithms can be a tool for creating impressive and original works.

The phenomenon of digital literature not only includes works created by writers but also involves the active participation of readers in the writing process, which then leads to the development of the study of fan literature. The history of this study can be traced back to Damono’s contribution in 1978 which introduced the importance of the study of popular literature, especially from the perspective of literary sociology. This study highlights how literature, especially in digital form, has changed the way readers interact and contribute to the creation of literary works. Discussions on this subject continue among modern literary scholars, exploring the role of technology in shaping and influencing contemporary literary discourse. This event is expected to be a means to explore and understand the development of literature in the growing digital era.

What comes to mind when you hear the word jamu? A traditional drink? A drink brought by mbok jamu? Or perhaps the popular phrase ‘beras kencur’? True, jamu is widely known as a traditional medicine in the form of a drink that is a manifestation of Javanese culture. However, what if jamu or Javanese traditional medicine methods are not only drunk? Does mahadaya know about it?

Referring to Wulandari (2011) in her scientific article entitled Serat Primbon Jampi Jawi Koleksi Perpustakaan Dewantara Kirti Griya (Taman Siswa): Sebuah Dokumentasi Pengobatan Tradisional, there is an ancient manuscript in printed Javanese script that records the medical knowledge of the elders. The manuscript is entitled Serat Primbon Jampi Jawi. The manuscript of Serat Primbon Jampi Jawi discusses medicine, from various kinds of diseases, how to treat them, and to various plants and their properties. This book was published by Tan Khoen Swie Publisher in 1933 and is a manuscript from the Taman Siswa Library collection.

In the manuscript of Serat Primbon Jampi Jawi, there are several methods of traditional Javanese medicine with uses other than drinking. Here is the description:

1. Tapel

Tapel is a form of jamu or medicine that can be used by rubbing it on the stomach (Poerwadarminta, 1939, in Wulandari, 2011).  There are 16 diseases that can be cured by this method. However, the author will mention only five in this article, namely a child with diarrhea, a child with worms, an elderly person who feels tight in the stomach, and an elderly person who cannot pass gas or urine. The following examples are related to diseases and treatment with tapel, as follows:

Tiyang sepuh seneb padharanipun; Cangkok tigan ayam ingkang sampun netes, jae, kapipis kaemoran lisah sulung, kaangge napeli padharan.

Translation:

(A poultice for an old man who feels tight in his stomach): The shell of a hatched chicken egg, ginger, mashed and mixed with sulung oil, is used to rub on the stomach.

2. Boreh

Jamu boreh is similar to tapel, the difference being that the herbs are liquefied and then rubbed all over the body. The following are some of the illnesses that can be cured, including a child who has sawan, a child who has sawan in any place, a child who has a fever and worms come out, someone who has a cold fever, etc. An example of a disease and its treatment is as follows:

Lare sawanen sadhengah sawan: ron wungu, santen kapipis kangge amborehi badan sakojur.

Translation:

Children affected by sawan in any place: wungu leaves, coconut milk, mashed and applied all over the body.

 3. Cekok

Some mahadaya might be wondering if this jamu is served by force or not. The answer is yes. The presentation of jamu cekok is by forcibly squeezing the jamu with a cloth over the mouth, usually for small children (Compilation Team, 2002, in Wulandari, 2011). The function of this jamu is for health or an attempt to cure disease. Some of the things that are treated include children with diarrhea, children with fever all over the body, children with internal heat, children with sawan, etc. An example of an explanation of jamu cekok for an illness is:

Lare sakit kenging sawan; dringo bengle, kunir, jinten cemeng, mesoyi, kemukus, brambang kapipis kacekokaken.

Translation:

A child who is sick (with) sawan,: dringo, bengle turmeric, black cumin, mesoyi, kemukus, shallots mashed and choked.

4. Sembur

Jamu sembur? That’s right, Mahadaya didn’t read it wrong. Although it sounds ‘out of the ordinary’, it is. Some of the diseases that can be treated in this way include, among others, children affected by sawan, children sick with cough, children who often cry at night, someone who has chest pain and tightness, etc. The following is an example of an explanation of an illness and its treatment with sembur, namely:

Lare sakit watuk: sekar blimbing wuluh, jinten, mesoyi, kencur, kabenem, kamamah kasemburaken padharanipun.

Translation:

A sick child coughs: belimbing wuluh flowers, cumin, mesoyi, kencur, chewed, and sprayed in the stomach (sick child).

 

Author: Haryo Untoro

 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Wulandari, A. (2011, December). Serat Primbon Jampi Jawi Collection of Dewantara Kirti Griya Library (Taman Siswa): A Documentation of Traditional Medicine. Jurnal Manuskrip Nusantara, 2(2), 30-56. https://doi.org/10.37014/jumantara.v2i2.135

LIST OF IMAGES

Kemenparekraf.go.id. (t.t.). Jamu, Ramuan Herbal Khas Indonesia yang Mendunia. Accessed from https://kemenparekraf.go.id/ragam-ekonomi-kreatif/jamu-ramuan-herbal-khas-indonesia-yang-mendunia