On October 31, 2023, Prof. Dr. Inajati Adrisijanti received a very prestigious award, namely the 2023 Cultural Award. This award was given directly by the Governor of DIY, Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X, in a ceremony held at Bangsal Kepatihan. Prof Inajati is one of 25 figures selected to receive this award in the Conservation or Cultural Actor category.

The 2023 Cultural Award is an appreciation and thanks from the DIY Regional Government on behalf of all the people of DIY. This award is given as a tribute to the commitment, dedication, real action, and consistency of cultural actors and local wisdom preservers in DIY. This is concrete evidence that DIY always appreciates and supports efforts to maintain and preserve regional culture, which is a valuable asset in building identity and sustainability of the social and cultural life of the DIY community.

Prof. Dr. Inajati Adrisijanti feels very honored to receive this award. He expressed his deep gratitude. In his confession, he revealed that he never dreamed or expected to receive an award of this magnitude. For him, the 2023 Cultural Award is a form of appreciation that should be given to cultural conservationists, artists, and cultural figures in DIY. He also with strong determination promised to continue the duties and activities he had carried out to honor the good name and advance the culture of DIY.

According to Prof. Dr. Inajati, this award is not only a personal achievement but also a reminder for him to continue working and be an inspiration for future generations. For him, this role is very important, considering the potential danger that the younger generation may be more tempted by foreign cultures and forget their own. However, he emphasized the importance that one can understand and appreciate foreign cultures without forgetting one’s cultural roots. This award, thus, strengthens his determination to be a pioneer in preserving and developing the richness of DIY culture and making it an irreplaceable source of inspiration for future generations.

The Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University (UGM) is proud to announce the latest achievement achieved by one of its lecturers. On the peak night of the 2023 Indonesian Cultural Awards (AKI) which took place in Jakarta on Friday, 27 October 2023, the Minister of Education, Culture, Research and Technology (Mendikbudristek) Nadiem Anwar Makarim represented President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). ) to give the Cultural Satyalancana award to the FCS UGM Archeology lecturer, namely Prof Dr H Timbul Haryono, MSc.

AKI is a prestigious event held by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek) to appreciate individuals, communities, and institutions who have achieved achievements or made extraordinary contributions to advancing Indonesian culture. The theme of the 2023 edition of AKI is “Nursing Harmony”. This theme is very relevant and has deep meaning because it emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between humans and nature through the cultural work that has been carried out.

The Satyalancana Culture Award given to Prof Dr H Timbul Haryono, MSc, is a recognition of his dedication to the field of culture. Prof Dr H Timbul Haryono, MSc, has made a significant contribution to the development, maintenance, and preservation of various aspects of Indonesian culture. In addition, the theme “Nurse Harmony” promoted in AKI 2023 emphasizes the important role of all levels of Indonesian society in caring for and maintaining harmony between humans and nature, through cultural practices that preserve local wisdom values.

Teaching staff of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Gadjah Mada University (FIB UGM) took part in an English course organized by the FIB UGM Language Center on October 9, 2023. This course aims to improve the quality of FIB UGM staff so that they are more qualified in English, especially in daily conversation matters related to work.

This course was attended by around 30 FCS UGM staff from various work units, such as administration, library, security, and others. This course lasts for one hour, starting from 09.00 to 10.00 WIB on Mondays and Thursdays, in the FIB UGM classroom. This course uses interactive and fun learning methods, involving games, discussions, and simulations.

One of the course participants, Mr. Risky as Driver, said that this course was very useful for him and his fellow students. “The course is useful for insight into my English vocabulary,” said Mr. Risky. (24/10/2023)

Mr. Siswanto as Security also said, “The English course for students is quite fun and is a new experience for me.” (24/10/2023)

The UGM FIB Language Center plans to hold English language courses for students regularly every month. This course is a form of support from the FIB UGM Language Center for the development of human resources within the FIB UGM environment. Further information about this course can be seen on the official website of the FIB UGM Language Center: https://pusatbahasa.fib.ugm.ac.id/

Wednesday, October 25, 2023, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences held another Postgraduate Program graduation. The FIB UGM Postgraduate Mangayubagya Graduates/Graduates event was opened with a celebration by Suray Agung Nugroho, S.S., M.A., Ph.D. as a representative from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. The series of graduation events was also enlivened by Buchaechum, a Korean Traditional Fan Dance Group from the Korean Language and Culture study program. This graduation event closed with a procession of handing over certificates and cum laude graduate certificates from each department followed by a photo procession with the graduates with the ranks of deans and heads of study programs from each department.

The Faculty of Cultural Sciences congratulates the graduates who have completed their education. Hopefully what has been obtained can provide benefits and result in success in preserving nature.

Yogyakarta, which is nicknamed the City of Students, has excellent quantity and quality of education. Many students make Yogyakarta a destination to continue their educational studies, including Batak youth. Continuing life with the aim of education in one of the big cities which is also known for its strong culture, requires Batak youth to adapt to new environments more quickly and effectively in various areas of life so that Batak youth are successful in achieving what they strive for. Problems such as cultural dissimilarity are a big challenge that must be resolved immediately with good adjustment by Batak youth, especially those who are migrating for the first time. Thus, knowledge from your hometown is needed to be able to survive in the overseas world.

Based on this adaptation problem, the UGM Student Creativity Team for Social and Humanities Research (PKM-RSH) recently conducted research. The team consisting of Geraldo Situmorang (Forestry 2020), Julian Dwi Efendi (History 2020), Fahri Reza (Literature 2021), Hendra Prasetya (Public Policy 2022), and Iqbal Sinulingga (Agricultural Industrial Technology 2022) has successfully researched the topic “Dalihan Na Tolu: Life Survival System for Overseas Batak People in the Toba Yogyakarta Batak Student Community.”

From the results of the research that has been carried out, it is revealed that the Dalihan Na Tolu philosophy, which is a kinship system, is capable of bringing change in the adjustment of Batak students overseas. The existence of clans is the basis for the system to bring students into the community, both inside and outside the campus. The existence of a community of Toba Batak students is an implication of the adaptation problems faced by Batak students plus interactions between Batak people who are overseas.

Dalihan Na Tolu is defined as three stoves consisting of Manat Mardongan Tubu, Somba Marhula-hula, and Elek Marboru. These three constitute the core trilogy which serves as the basic theme of Dalihan Na Tolu. Dalihan Na Tolu’s role in making it easier for Batak students to adapt to Yogyakarta is implemented with tarombo. Tarombo is a system formed on the principle of kinship which shows a person’s rights and obligations towards his family by underlining a person’s role and function in the family structure, namely through part speech (greeting). That way, students are taught how to behave, to whom, for what reasons, and not just limited to family structure.

The Dalihan Na Tolu system, which teaches social interaction in Batak culture, has an impact on the formation of Batak communities on and off campus. Several communities such as the Batak Student Community (Atma Jaya University Yogyakarta), Imbada (Duta Wacana University Yogyakarta), Sada Pardomuan (Sanata Dharma University Yogyakarta), and Marga Sumut (Gadjah Mada University) in Yogyakarta help students in social adaptation. Motivations for joining a community vary, and activities held by the community can help maintain Batak’s cultural heritage.

Outside campus, clan-based communities such as Situmorang and Parna as well as church youth groups also provide support and expand students’ social networks. However, there are several shifts from the Dalihan Na Tolu system, such as the use of the Batak language calling system which is limited to fellow Batak communities, and a decrease in understanding of the Partuturan system. Students felt embarrassed or lacked education in using the Batak language, and the traditional address system began to shift to using common language such as “Mas” and “Mbak.” This indicates a change in learning Batak culture among overseas students.

In implementing the Dalihan Na Tolu concept, there are two factors that influence Batak students in Yogyakarta. Internal factors are influenced by a lack of knowledge inherited from the closest family, a lack of concern for traditional traditions, a high curiosity about local culture, and a lack of participation in traditional events overseas. External factors are influenced by cultural differences between Toba Batak and Yogyakarta City, which are dominated by Javanese culture and other cultures. The diversity of students from various regions also contributes to a mix of cultures.

Thus, the Dalihan Na Tolu system and tarombo as its implementation help Batak students adapt. Batak clans and communities inside and outside campus become a forum that facilitates the adaptation process and allows students to build social relationships. However, the research results identified a shift in the application of Batak culture, especially in the use of the Batak language and the spoken system. Internal factors, such as a lack of knowledge inherited from the family, and external factors, such as the dominance of Javanese culture, influenced this change. In a deeper analysis, shifts in language use and speech indicate a cultural adjustment that occurs among Batak students in Yogyakarta. Although Dalihan Na Tolu remains the guide, its implementation can change according to the cultural environment faced.