Yogyakarta, October 4, 2026 —The Cultural Anthropology Department’s orientation program for new undergraduate students (BERKAWANT), which had been running for 5 (five) weeks, finally reached its final day—the culmination and closing event of the series—held at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM, attended by the academic community of the Cultural Anthropology Department.
BERKAWANT began on August 23, 2026, as an orientation to introduce the dynamics of Cultural Anthropology at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, under the theme “Jumpa Maba” (New Student Gathering), led by Cultural Anthropology faculty members, including Dr. Agung Wicaksono, S.Ant., M.A., Head of the Department of Anthropology at UGM, followed on August 29 by a seminar titled “Rembukant,” which explored the scope of Anthropology as both a discipline and a practice, featuring Dr. Sita Hidayah, S.Ant., M.A., Chair of the Cultural Anthropology Undergraduate Program. Also related to the world of literature, on September 12, a “WKP” Writing Workshop was held, facilitated by Dr. Muhammad Zamzam Fauzanafi, S.Ant., M.A. The insights gained over the following weeks were applied through field research on campus and showcased at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University, as part of the BERKAWANT series—specifically the “Pamerant” exhibition, which ran for five consecutive days with a shift system organized by research theme groups. The event concluded with the BERKAWANT culminating ceremony.
The BERKAWANT culminating event featured a program meticulously prepared by the organizing committee, comprising various activities aligned with reflective cultural studies—one of which was a journey through “ant” stations themed around the 10 cultural elements identified by Prof. Drs. Heddy Shri Ahimsa -Putra, M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D. There was also a symbolic induction of new students through a ritual depicting the journey of life, followed by an awards ceremony to recognize specific participants throughout the BERKAWANT event. Participants included not only new students and committee members but also several alumni and faculty members.
Author: Syafina Kamilya
