As part of the implementation of experiential learning, students in the Master’s Program in Anthropology at the Faculty of Humanities (FIB), UGM, conducted a field trip on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 to the Bonokeling Indigenous Community in Pekuncen Village, Jatilawang Subdistrict, Banyumas Regency, Central Java. This activity was a field component of the “Traditional Governance Systems” course taught by Dr. Sita Hidayah, M.A. The objective was to deepen students’ understanding of traditional governance practices, community management, and the dynamics of the relationship between traditional systems and formal government through an ethnographic approach.

The students were welcomed by Ki Soemitro, Chair of the Village Customary Council, and Pak Narso, Head of Pekuncen Village. The meeting served as a forum for dialogue on the history of the Bonokeling community, the structure of customary leadership, and the community’s close connection to their ancestors through the concept of anak-putu—a spiritual and genealogical bond that forms the foundation of both the identity and social system of the Bonokeling community. Ki Soemitro explained that the survival of the indigenous community depends not only on written rules but also on the moral adherence of all anak-putu to the values inherited from Kyai Bonokeling. This system has proven capable of preserving traditional governance across generations amid the tide of modernization.

In addition to discussions, the students observed the architecture of traditional houses, communal spatial arrangements, and the conduct of traditional rituals. These observations and discussions revealed that indigenous communities possess the capacity for effective collective governance without relying entirely on formal bureaucratic structures. The Village Head explained that the formal government and traditional institutions do not compete with one another but rather complement each other. Village development policies are always consulted with traditional institutions to preserve and respect sacred spaces and the community’s cultural values. Conversely, various internal community issues—such as family disputes, social conflicts, or violations of customary norms—are resolved through customary deliberation before resorting to state legal mechanisms.

The Bonokeling community is open to technology, such as cell phones, yet remains vigilant to ensure that the values of individualism and consumerism do not supplant the principles of collective living inherited from their ancestors. Amid the tide of globalization, they face various challenges, ranging from adapting to state administrative regulations to the pressure of cultural commercialization through the tourism industry. In response, Ki Soemitro explained that the Bonokeling community employs a strategy of cultural resistance through a process of prudent negotiation. They comply with state administrative requirements to ensure the civil rights of their citizens, while still preserving Kejawen spiritual practices and value systems in their daily lives. Furthermore, traditional institutions strictly limit the commercialization of rituals to ensure that the sacred nature of traditions does not degenerate into mere tourist spectacles.

This activity provides a learning experience that goes beyond classroom instruction. Through direct observation, dialogue, and reflection with the indigenous community, students gain a more comprehensive understanding of traditional governance practices as a living, dynamic social system that continually adapts to the changing times.

Author: Dewi Widyastuti

Two students from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Muhamad Rafi Nur Fauzy and Meifira Arini Pitaloka, have successfully been selected as recipients of the Undergraduate–Master’s (S1–S2) Fast Track Program at FIB UGM. The announcement was made on Friday (17/7/2026) through the official social media account of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. Through this program, students have the opportunity to pursue undergraduate (S1) and master’s (S2) studies concurrently, allowing them to complete their study period in a shorter time. Both students chose to continue their studies in the Master’s Program in Literature at FIB UGM.

In an online interview conducted on Monday (20/7/2026), both students expressed their gratitude and enthusiasm for being selected as recipients of the FIB UGM Fast Track Program. For Muhamad Rafi Nur Fauzy, the program serves as an opportunity to deepen the knowledge he has acquired during his undergraduate studies. “I aspire to gain a deeper understanding of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture so that the knowledge I acquire can later benefit society,” he explained. Likewise, Meifira Arini Pitaloka viewed the opportunity to continue her studies through the Fast Track Program as a chance to further develop her academic interests while broadening her knowledge. “I want to continue exploring what I am passionate about by making the most of every opportunity and determination I have,” she said.

Regarding their prospective research at the master’s level, the two students have different academic interests. Rafi hopes to further explore Javanese literature and culture, particularly the existence of the Panji stories in Central Java. “I am interested in further studying Javanese literature and culture, for example, the existence of the Panji stories in Central Java, while the world of Panji itself is more widely associated with Malang,” he explained. Meanwhile, Meifira plans to explore a broader range of literary studies. “I want to try not to limit myself only to Javanese literature. My planned research will still be related to images, perhaps in areas such as comic literature or children’s literature,” she shared.

Both students have also prepared themselves to face the challenges of participating in the Fast Track Program. According to Rafi, the greatest challenge lies in managing his time effectively in order to balance undergraduate and master’s studies. “I want to be more disciplined, make better use of my time for my studies, and set aside time for field research,” he said. On the other hand, Meifira believes that mental preparedness is an equally important aspect. In addition to striving to do her best, she also emphasized the importance of prayer and self-awareness throughout the academic journey. “I will do my best, never forget to pray, and continue building self-awareness in facing the challenges ahead,” she explained.

Concluding the interview, both students shared messages for their fellow students, encouraging them to remain enthusiastic and consistent throughout their academic journey. Rafi encouraged students to consistently pursue what they are genuinely passionate about so that the learning process becomes more enjoyable. “Consistently pursue what you truly enjoy. That way, the learning process will become more enjoyable. Stay motivated, and go through it with ease. Melu ilining banyu ning ora nganti keli (go with the flow of the water, but do not let yourself be carried away by it),” he said. Meifira also shared a similar message. According to her, every choice that has been made should be pursued wholeheartedly and with full responsibility. “Do what you love and love what you do,” she said.

The achievement of Muhamad Rafi Nur Fauzy and Meifira Arini Pitaloka in becoming recipients of the FIB UGM Fast Track Program is expected to inspire other students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program to continue developing their academic potential and make the most of the opportunities available to them. It is hoped that their journey in pursuing master’s studies will contribute to the advancement of knowledge, particularly in the fields of Javanese language, literature, and culture.

Authos: Haryo Untoro

The Korean Language and Culture Study Program at FIB UGM, in collaboration with Chung-Ang University (CAU), held the opening ceremony for the “2nd CAUGM” on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. The opening ceremony took place in the Poerbatjaraka Building Auditorium. This cultural exchange program will run from July 20 through August 1.

The event was attended by 24 students from Chung-Ang University and 70 students from the Korean Language and Culture Program at FIB, UGM. Over the course of two weeks, participants will take part in various activities, such as cultural exchange classes, language exchange sessions, and collaborative activities designed to strengthen cross-cultural understanding between Indonesian and South Korean students.

At today’s opening ceremony, students from both countries presented lively cultural performances. Students from Chung-Ang University performed K-Pop dances and songs, a taekwondo demonstration, and traditional Korean musical instrument performances. Equally captivating, UGM students also presented traditional Indonesian cultural performances, including the Edan-edanan dance, the Sintren dance, singing, and pencak silat.

In addition, one of the main events in this series of collaborative activities is the Korean Festival, which will be open to the public on July 25. The general public and the campus community are invited to attend and experience Korean culture firsthand.

Through this series of activities, students not only gain academic experience but also have the opportunity to interact directly with participants from other countries. This type of cultural exchange is expected to broaden their global perspective, improve their cross-cultural communication skills, and strengthen ties among students from both institutions.

Author: Juleha (朱殷萱Chu Yin Hsuan)

Yogyakarta, July 17, 2026 — On Friday, July 17, 2026, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at UGM held an informational session on IoT scales as part of the 2026 UGM Sustainability Campus Action program. The event took place in the Multimedia Room of the Margono Building and featured Dr. Ir. Thomas Oka Pratama, S.T., M.Eng., IPP, from UGM’s Sensor and Controlled Systems Laboratory. This session served as training for educational support staff on managing the faculty’s waste using IoT scales.

IoT scales are devices that measure the weight of waste generated at collection points (pick-up points) in real time, integrated with the Internet of Things (IoT) system. The weight data is used for digital monitoring, evaluation, and planning of waste management policies. During the session, participants were instructed on how to use the IoT scales to manage waste generation. FIB support staff were also asked to practice using the IoT scales.

Through the implementation of IoT scales, FIB UGM aims to strengthen a waste management system that is more accurate, measurable, and data-driven. The use of this technology is expected to enhance the capacity of support staff to support sustainable waste management while also contributing to UGM’s Sustainability Campus Action 2026 commitment. This initiative aligns with efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs point 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and also supports SDGs point 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDGs point 13: Climate Action.

[Humas FIB, Maylafaizza Nafisha Zifa]

In commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), the Undergraduate Program in Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture, Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM, organized an International Workshop entitled Rereading Wayang: Remembering the Past, Looking Toward the Future on Thursday (9/7/2026). The event invited academics, students, and the general public to revisit the art of wayang, not only as a cultural heritage of the past but also as a tradition that continues to develop and remains relevant in responding to present and future challenges.

To comprehensively explore the theme, the workshop featured three speakers with expertise in their respective fields: Prof. Matthew Isaac Cohen, Ph.D., Alan H. Feinstein, Ph.D., and Dr. G.R. Lono Lastoro Simatupang, M.A. The discussion was moderated by Zakariya Pamuji Aminullah, S.S., M.A.

The event commenced at 09.00 WIB with opening remarks by Dr. Rudy Wiratama, S.I.P., M.A., Chair of the Organizing Committee, followed by remarks from Dr. Mimi Savitri, M.A., Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation, and Alumni of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. Following the opening session, the international workshop officially began.

As the first speaker, Prof. Matthew Isaac Cohen, Ph.D., discussed the life of wayang art in the virtual sphere, particularly its development, which became increasingly visible during the pandemic. According to him, the presence of wayang art in the digital world had actually begun long before the pandemic through live-streamed wayang kulit performances. “The life of wayang art in the virtual world had actually begun before the pandemic era, with the emergence of live-streamed wayang kulit performances,” he explained. He further elaborated that the existence of wayang in the virtual sphere has continued to transform through various forms of innovation, ranging from the establishment of communities such as Posko Dalang Nusantara, the publication of the book #Dalang Goes to Twitter, the emergence of Wayang Jemblung during the pandemic, to the development of wayang in the form of artificial intelligence (AI)-based animation.

The second speaker, Alan H. Feinstein, Ph.D., presented the topic of the historiography and documentation of Javanese wayang stories. He explained that efforts to document wayang stories have been carried out since the colonial period, both through documentation projects of lakon carangan and through the collection of various ancient manuscript sources. According to him, wayang can be studied from various scholarly perspectives; therefore, documenting facts, data, documents, and various other forms of evidence is essential. This is necessary because wayang performances are ephemeral and leave no trace once the puppeteer concludes the performance.

In the final session, Dr. G.R. Lono Lastoro Simatupang, M.A., discussed the existence of women in wayang performing arts from the perspectives of female puppeteers, wayang characters, women’s representation, and the stories performed. He explained that women’s participation in the world of wayang has shown positive development, although it still requires further strengthening. “I recommend increasing the number of female puppeteers, enhancing women’s skills in wayang performing arts, and creating lakon carangan that are in accordance with contemporary developments,” he stated.

Through this workshop, Javanese wayang was understood not only as a performing art but also as a reflection of continuously evolving social and cultural dynamics. The presentations demonstrated that the existence of wayang has always been intertwined with the context of its era while continuing to transform without losing the cultural values that form its foundation. In line with the theme Rereading Wayang: Remembering the Past, Looking Toward the Future, the workshop demonstrated that the preservation of wayang is carried out not only through the transmission of tradition but also through documentation, critical reinterpretation, and various innovations that maintain its relevance amid contemporary developments.

Author: Prodi Bahasa, Sastra dan Budaya Jawa