On Monday, September 23, 2024, Students of the UGM Master of Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Program have carried out Community Service at the Sunan Pandanaran Yogyakarta Islamic Boarding School. The event was attended by the principal of Sunan Pandanaran Islamic Boarding School Yogyakarta, teacher representatives, and class XII students. The principal of Sunan Pandanaran Islamic Boarding School, Dr. KH Mu’tashim Billah, S.Q., M.Pd.I. said that he was very happy to host the community service from the Master of Middle Eastern Cultural Studies Program. This community service activity reflects the spirit of knowledge, togetherness, and care. The materials presented by KBTT students are expected to provide new insights for santri and santriwati in schools related to the Middle East, both from social, cultural, and political aspects.

The event continued with the presentation of material delivered by three students, namely Yusuf Idrus Malik, Vania Aina Sadikin, and Lutfi Nurfadli. The material presented by KBTT students included the countries of Egypt, Jordan, and the features of the Middle East. In the presentation of the three students, it was concluded that demographic diversity in the Middle East is one of the main characteristics of this region, covering aspects of socio-culture, religion, and political government.The Middle East is home to various tribes, languages, and traditions. From Arabs, Kurds, Persians, Turks, to Berbers, each ethnic group has its own unique culture and identity. These cultures are reflected in art, music, food, and customs. As for religion, the Middle East is very diverse, although the region is known as the birthplace of three major religions: Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Islam, with its various sects such as Sunni and Shia, dominates social and political life in many countries. However, Christian, Yazidi, Druze, and Bahá’í communities also have a long history and contribute to cultural diversity.

Santri and santriwati of the Sunan Pandanaran Islamic boarding school were enthusiastic about the material as evidenced by the active forum discussion and souvenir distribution. At the end of the event, the principal of the Sunan Pandanaran Islamic Boarding School expressed his gratitude to PKM UGM students and motivated all students to study hard and practice the knowledge gained to the community. The event was closed by giving souvenirs from UGM to Sunan Pandanaran Islamic Boarding School and continued with a group photo session.

Saturday and Sunday, September 14 and 15, 2024 – UGM Korean Language Student Association held a Fellowship Training event with the theme “빚나는 꿈” which means “Shining dreams”. The Fellowship Training event was held for two days in Lecture Room 707 Soegondo, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM and in Greenland Margono Courtyard. This event was attended by students of Korean Language and Culture Class of 2023 and Class of 2024.

On the first day, the series of Fellowship Training 2024 events were enlivened by Batch 22 students as guest speakers of the Talkshow session. Through this session, the seniors provided information about student exchange opportunities to South Korea and tips and tricks in taking the TOPIK exam. The new students were also able to learn more about the Korean Language and Culture study program at UGM. After the Talkshow session, the Fellowship Training 2024 event was also enlivened by various performances of new students of Batch 2024 which were very entertaining.

The Fellowship Training 2024 event continued on September 15, 2024. The second day of the event was enlivened by gymnastics together, Random Play Dance, and various exciting games such as glass tower, Hangeul writing, Hangeul relay, Telepathy game, Inmul quiz, Tuho Quiz, Tongue twister, and ended with Mystery box.

Fellowship Training 2024 is one of HIMAHARA’s work programs that aims to strengthen the sense of togetherness and introduce the Korean Language and Culture study program to new students of the Class of 2024. In addition, this activity can also be a means to get information about opportunities that can be utilized in the future, as well as creating a good community in supporting lectures.

For more information, please access HIMAHARA’s Instagram account @himaharaugm.

Author: HIMAHARA/Candy Valerie
Editor: Sena Valin

Yogyakarta, Monday night 19th of August 2024, the Faculty of Philosophy, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), organized a shadow puppet show in the framework of the anniversary of the Faculty of Philosophy. The performance featured a special play, Gajah Mada Suci, which was performed collaboratively by UGM students who are members of the UGM Surakarta Style Javanese Arts Unit (UKJGS). One of the important roles in this performance was carried out by M. Rafi Nur Fauzy, a student of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program class of 2023, chosen to perform a play that was collaboratively worked on by the academics community of Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The script for the performance of Gajah Mada Suci was written by Dr. Rudy Wiratama S.I.P., M.A., lecturer of Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program. Gajah Mada Suci tells the story of the scapegoating of Gajah Mada under the pretext of the failure of the Majapahit Kingdom expansion. The expansion also coincided with the kingdom’s internal political turmoil. To make matters worse, Gajah Mada was accused by the elites of trying to remove him from the kingdom. As a result, Gajah Mada felt desperate and afterward he visited the residence of his friend, Mpu Tantular. After a long dialog, Gajah Mada was finally enlightened, that the efforts he had made so far were not in vain. The spirit of Amukti Palapa to unite the archipelago will continue in the next era.

“The performance of the Gajah Mada Suci is a form of depiction of the Indonesian nation that has experienced an identity crisis by winning over an interest and power through any means. Gajah Mada, who was a knight, finally moksa due to the deviant behavior of the Majapahit elite. After that, the Majapahit Kingdom lost its authority and then receded until it reached its collapse,” explained Rafi in an interview (05/09/2024).

As a special play, Rafi and his fellow UKJGS students practiced hard for a maximum performance. “The performance of Gajah Mada Suci has its own challenges for us. We practiced preparing for the performance in only half a month. Plus, this is my first time to play the Gajah Mada puppet, so it must be carefully prepared.”

“With these challenges, Alhamdulillah, the show can run smoothly. It was a great experience for me,” he continued.  Rafi hopes that the Gajah Mada puppet show will be held continuously because it is the work and identity of UGM as well as containing values that need to be socialized.

The existence of the Gajah Mada puppet is a real effort to promote the history and culture of the archipelago while still applying its relevance to the times. Through culture, we are not only ‘displaying’ aesthetics, but also reaffirming the nation’s identity through noble values for a better Indonesia.