SDGs 4: Quality Education

On Friday, February 23, 2024, the Department of Anthropology at Universitas Gadjah Mada, specifically within the doctoral program in Anthropology, held an open seminar on the results of a PhD dissertation research in Anthropology. This seminar served as the final presentation before presenting the full results of the dissertation. The event took place at Soegondo Building, 7th floor, at 13:00 WIB and was attended by Prof. Dr. Paschalis Maria Laksono, M.A. as the supervising professor, Prof. Dr. Bambang Hudayana, M.A., Dr. Elan Lazuardi, S.Ant, M.A., and the students. The dissertation seminar was reviewed by Dr. Pande Made Kutanegara, M.Si., Dr. Mohamad Yusuf, M.A., Dr. Sita Hidayah, S.Ant, M.A. The dissertation research conducted by Prima Dona Hapsari was carried out in Dukuh Penaban, Karangasem, Bali. The focus of this dissertation was to examine Balinese lontar manuscripts from an anthropological perspective. The research aimed to explore the emergence, development, factors, and actors influencing the existence of Balinese lontar manuscripts.

According to Prima Dona Hapsari’s presentation, reading lontar manuscripts has been a tradition in Bali’s customary villages. However, nowadays, some people are beginning to abandon this practice due to certain lontar manuscripts being prohibited from being read by the general public. Despite this, lontar manuscripts are still recited during Ngaben ceremonies to ensure that everyone can hear the ritual even if not everyone understands it, as these texts are considered ritual experiences rather than memorization material. However, there is now a movement to reread Balinese lontar manuscripts emerging from both the Triwangsa (Brahmana, Kesatria, Waisya) and Jaba (intellectual group outside the caste system in Bali) groups.

Chronologically, in 2013, the emergence of the Bali Language Care Activists forced the inclusion of Balinese language into the 2013 curriculum. This step was taken to ensure that students could at least be introduced to lontar manuscripts. It is also stated that important actors influencing the existence of Balinese lontar manuscripts include the Bendesa of Dukuh Penaban and Penedun customary villages, as well as the readers of Balinese lontar manuscripts.

After the presentation, there were several responses from discussants and supervising professors. One of them was from Prof. Dr. Paschalis Maria Laksono, M.A., who focused on the content of the dissertation. He stated that the dissertation is an excellent example for future anthropology studies. “This writing actually aligns with the questions in the last presidential debate about culture, that the condition of community destruction due to village tourism,” he continued. In that debate, the question was raised about what policy would be taken to make the community responsive. According to Prof. Dr. Paschalis Maria Laksono, M.A., the answer to this question can be found in this dissertation. He emphasized that this situation represents a cultural murder. “For example, in the Ngaben ceremony, which should be described in more detail. Because within it, there is an anti-structure where the presence of lontar, which I feel is specifically placed in Ngaben, gives rise to a responsive community,” Prof. Dr. Paschalis Maria Laksono, M.A. concluded.

Author: Bonifacius Edo Wisnu Waskita

SDGs 4: Quality Education | SDGs 17: Partnerships for the Goals

On Tuesday, February 6, 2024, Leiden University conducted a significant visit to the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) to discuss the potential collaboration in a double degree program. Previously, Leiden University had established cooperation with the Department of Archaeology at UGM for the master’s program in archaeology, and this time, the focus shifted to the Department of Anthropology. Additionally, they proposed collaboration with the Language, Literature, and Javanese Cultural Studies Program, particularly in the field of philology.

The double degree program is seen as an initiative to enrich students’ academic experiences, providing them with the opportunity to earn degrees from two leading universities simultaneously. By further collaborating with the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at UGM, Leiden University aims to create broader and high-quality educational opportunities.

In this discussion, academics and representatives from both sides shared their perspectives and ideas, establishing a strong foundation for sustainable collaboration. This collaborative plan is expected not only to benefit students but also to enhance research and publications at both universities.

The collaboration between Leiden University and the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at UGM is envisioned to serve as a model inspiring cross-border cooperation in higher education. The deepening of this relationship holds great promise for further developing academic, cultural, and research potential between the two universities committed to creating an inclusive and innovative learning environment.

The current threat of a food crisis is being responded to by various parties. The development of alternative food such as the processing of konjac is being attempted by the Community Service Team of the Department of Anthropology. The team consists of Dr. Atik Triratnawati, M.A., Prof. Dr. Bambang Hudayana, M.A., Muhammad Zamzam Fauzanafi, M.A., along with two students named Eka Yuniati and Ferdy Azmal Fakhrani. This community service program is a continuation of the previous year’s program with the same theme, “Development of Konjac-based Culinary in Karangpatihan Village, Ponorogo Regency, East Java.” The continuation of the program took place in August 2023 in four hamlets: Krajan, Selodono, Dungus, and Jurugan.

Konjac, or in Indonesia is called porang, was chosen as an alternative food because it is a local Indonesian commodity which has great potential in the international market. For example, what has been done in Madiun, one kilogram of konjac can cost up to Rp. 14,000. One hectare of fertile land can produce around 80 tons of tubers for one harvest within two years. One of the most popular products made by konjac is shirataki rice, which has a high selling price. Konjac grows a lot in Ponorogo and there is one of the programs initiated by the Ponorogo Regional Government which aims to provide stimulants in the form of seeds and supporting the existence of a konjac farmer association. Other than that, Perhutani, which is a State-Owned Enterprise in the Form of Public Company which focuses on the task and authority to manage state forest resources, also provides access to farmers to plant konjac around perennial crops. Based on this fact, the community service team conducted training assistance in processing konjac-based food. In addition, a cooking competition was also held to motivate the locals to be more enthusiastic in creating innovations related to this food recipe. Then the activity was closed with a focus group discussion (FGD) to listen to the aspirations of women who joined the family welfare movement (PKK)  in the four hamlets, Karangpatihan Village, Pulung District, Ponorogo Regency. This program needs to be done because, until now, the society perceives that konjac can cause an itchy feeling. By implementing this community service program, the community will develop a new perspective that konjac has many benefits. Apart from that, we really hope that the dissemination of knowledge and skills can make konjac-based food into an alternative food in Ponorogo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image 1.1: Dawet porang: one of the konjac-based culinary that has been taught to the members of PKK in Karangpatihan Village, Pulung, Ponorogo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image 1.2: Various kinds of konjac-based culinary made by one of the groups who participated in the competition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Image 1.3: The winners of the development of a konjac-based culinary competition.

 

 

Monday, 4th of July 2022 marked the start of the Department of Cultural Anthropology, Faculty of Cultural Studies, Universitas Gadjah Mada’s collaborative tandem Summer School in collaboration with University of Zurich and University of Bern, and in attendance of students from UGM, Chiang Mai University, Royal University of Phnom Penh, University of Mandalay, and Ha Noi University (USSH).

During the Summer School, the students will undertake several classes on Ethnographic Methods and the newest trends and developments in the Anthropology of Work, as this Summer School will upheld After Covid? Work and Daily Life in Indonesia as its main theme. Students are then expected to produce ethnographic products, including visual, text, and audio, offering insight into Indonesians’ work and life in Indonesia in relation with their working lives post-COVID. Their research will be advised and supervised by

• Prof. Dr. Pujo Semedi (UGM),
• Prof. Dr. Annuska Derks (UZH),
• Dr. Laura Coppens (UniBern),
• Dr. Olivia Killias (UZH),
• Dr. Sita Hidayah (UGM),
• Dr. Pande Made Kutanegara (UGM),
• Dr. Realisa D. Masardi (UGM),
• Dr. Elan A. Lazuardi (UGM),
• Dr. Agung Wicaksono (UGM),
• M. Zamzam Fauzanafi, M.A. (UGM),
• Wahyu Kuncoro, M.A. (UZH)

The Summer School will run from the 4th of July, 2022, to the 22nd of July, 2022. Do say hi if you happen to meet our foreign students on campus!