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

Yogyakarta, 12 July 2024 – The Office of Public Relations, News, and Protocol of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) successfully held a sharing session themed “Strategic Content Development of Universitas Gadjah Mada” today. The event which lasted from 12.00 to 16.00 WIB was attended by UGM public relations, news, and protocol staff in Multimedia Room 1, 3rd Floor of the North Wing, UGM Central Building.

The speakers who attended this session included Dr. Tirta Mandira Hudhi, M.B.A., Winda Pratiwi, Farchan Noor Rachman, and Mohamad Ryan Saputra. They provided various insights and strategies in strategic content development for UGM such as recognizing audiences through data interpretation, as well as content planning and development. 

Previously, the organizers had invited all relevant staff to participate in this activity, which aims to strengthen the public relations function on campus. The University Secretariat would like to thank all participants for their attention and participation.

Bali is an island with a continuously growing tourist appeal recognized internationally. The glittering tourism industry brings significant economic benefits but often obscures tourism practices that involve children, a well-known issue. Unfortunately, in recent times, the involvement of children in tourism has been linked to sexual tourism practices, and the cases are often hidden from social dynamics.

This prompted four interdisciplinary students from Universitas Gadjah Mada to explore the topic of Child Sex Tourism (CST) in Bali. They are I Ketut Aditya Prayoga from the Tourism Study Program, Ni Luh Feby Riveranika from the Sociology Study Program, Putu Daryatti from the Psychology Study Program, and Adi Surya from the Law Study Program, guided by Dr. Fahmi Prihantoro, S.S., M.A., who has an interest in tourism policy. This research is conducted under the Student Creativity Program in Social-Humanities Research (PKM-RSH), which received funding on April 20, 2024. The team’s success in the PKM-RSH process involved a lengthy selection process, from faculty and university levels to national selection.

The urgency of the topic is quite sensitive as it involves sexual and child-related issues. However, the projected benefits of this research are substantial for creating an environment that better supports the rights and freedoms of children. During the research process, the researchers faced difficulties in finding survivors of CST cases in Bali due to restricted access. Despite this, the research serves as a platform to analyze CST cases more deeply, from factors leading to victimization, the trauma experienced by survivors, to protective measures that can be implemented to minimize future cases through policy briefs and scientific journal publications.