Cultural preservation is not only carried out by maintaining the continuity of living traditions but also by reviving arts that are beginning to be abandoned. This effort is being undertaken by Ghibran Arsha Daffa’ Musaffa’, a 2024 student in the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM). His interest in oral traditions, which began through his coursework, inspired Ghibran to take the initiative to revive the Gejog Lesung art tradition in Karang Tengah Hamlet, Bantul Regency, Special Region of Yogyakarta.

Gejog lesung is a traditional art form that uses the rhythmic sounds of a lesung as musical accompaniment. A lesung is a wooden vessel used to pound unhusked rice into rice grains. Over time, the pounding activity produced rhythmic sounds that were subsequently incorporated into artistic performances. In an online interview conducted on 22 September 2026, Ghibran explained that Gejog Lesung performances typically combine the rhythmic pounding of the lesung with traditional songs, such as Gugur Gunung and Prau Layar. In Karang Tengah Hamlet, this art form is represented by the Gejog Lesung Ngudi Lestari group.

According to Ghibran, the existence of the lesung is closely connected to the history of Karang Tengah Hamlet. A stone pounding tool known as watu lumpang was discovered in the area and is estimated to have existed since around 1632 CE. The tradition of pounding has also been practised for a long time, one aspect of which is associated with the role of the Karang Tengah community in providing food supplies for the abdi dalem who built the tomb complex of the Mataram kings in Imogiri. At that time, pounding was carried out to process unhusked rice into rice grains. Over time, stone pounding tools were replaced by wooden lesung, which were considered more flexible to use. The activity of pounding with a lesung produced interesting, rhythmic sounds. These sounds not only accompanied the work but could also boost people’s enthusiasm while working and serve as entertaining spectacles. From this practice, Gejog Lesung developed into a form of cultural expression within the local community.

The Gejog Lesung Ngudi Lestari group was established in 1965, with performances involving people pounding the lesung and singers performing traditional songs. Later, in 2000, the group began incorporating dancers to visually interpret the songs being performed. For example, when performing Gugur Gunung, the dancers portray activities associated with gotong royong (mutual cooperation). The combination of the sounds of the lesung, singing, and dancing made the performances more diverse.

Throughout its history, Gejog Lesung Ngudi Lestari has frequently performed at various community events, ranging from village anniversary celebrations and community gatherings to cultural events. The group was also once invited to perform at Kanjengan, Imogiri, as part of the Kirab Siwur tradition, a procession in which a siwur is carried as part of the nguras enceh ritual series. The ritual involves cleaning the water vessels and filling them with water at the tomb complex of the Islamic Mataram kings in Imogiri.

However, over time, this artistic activity entered a state of “suspended animation” due to the absence of generational succession. This situation encouraged Ghibran to take part in efforts to preserve the art form in his area. His interest grew further when he took the Oral Tradition course in the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program at FIB UGM. The course marked one of the starting points for Ghibran to gain a deeper understanding of the gejog lesung tradition while encouraging him to engage directly in its preservation. “Thanks to the Oral Tradition course, I was encouraged to learn more about this tradition, and it also strengthened my motivation to bring it back,” Ghibran explained.

In addition to being a university student, Ghibran is active in the youth organization Angkatan Muda-Mudi Islam (AMMI) Karang Tengah, particularly in its literacy and education division. Through his involvement in the organization, he initiated the formation of Gejog Lesung Ngudi Lestari New Generation as an effort to continue the artistic tradition that had previously ceased. This initiative involved local young people while also inviting the elders to share their knowledge and skills related to the gejog lesung art form. “We started from scratch and also invited the elders to teach us. They were happy because this art form now has successors,” he added.

Rebuilding the artistic group was not without challenges. In the early stages, Ghibran faced difficulties in encouraging young people to get involved. Nevertheless, the gradual approach he adopted began to foster enthusiasm among the members. “At first, it was somewhat difficult, though manageable. Some felt inferior, while others were embarrassed to take part in preserving this tradition. However, Alhamdulillah, with strong efforts, my friends became enthusiastic and even expressed plans to hold regular weekly practice sessions,” Ghibran explained.

Gradually, these efforts began to bear fruit. Gejog Lesung Ngudi Lestari New Generation performed again, combining the rhythmic pounding of the lesung, singing, dancing, and ketoprak performances during the celebration of the Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia on 17 August. The performance served as a step towards reintroducing gejog lesung to the community while fostering greater interest among young people in local arts. This effort also attracted the attention of the Bantul Regency Cultural Office and the Deputy Regent of Bantul. Going forward, the art form is planned to be featured in various cultural programmes or events.

Ghibran’s initiative demonstrates that cultural preservation can begin within one’s immediate surroundings and develop through the active involvement of young people. Through the knowledge gained at university, support from youth organizations, and the involvement of elders in passing down traditional knowledge, a tradition that had previously ceased can once again find room to develop. The efforts of nguri-uri ‘preserving’ and ngurip-urip ‘reviving’ culture demonstrate that cultural preservation is not merely about safeguarding identity; it also creates opportunities for culture to bring benefits to the community itself.

Author: Haryo Untoro

Javanese as one of the cultural riches of the Nusantara has regained its living space through the creativity of the younger generation. The Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), held an unusual final semester exam. In the Creative Spoken Javanese course, students were challenged to create a short film in Javanese, as a form of preserving and reactivating regional languages ​​amidst the current of modernization.

Three groups of students successfully produced three short films titled Cumawis, Ana Apa Dhik Cinta?, and Pitutur Kinasih. Each film contains a story full of meaning and depicts the dynamics of contemporary Javanese society with the mother tongue as its main medium.

The film Cumawis presents a narrative about the struggles of a simple family in facing a financial crisis, leading them to deeper problems. The film Cumawis can be accessed by the public through the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6CqL_lC2bg. Meanwhile, Ana Apa Dhik Cinta? raises the inner conflict of a student named Cinta who is faced with a choice between loyalty to friendship, demands of the organization, and the turmoil of personal feelings. Anggit Galuh, as Galuh’s character in this film, explained that the film Ana Apa Dhik Cinta? was inspired by the film Ada Apa Dengan Cinta (AADC) by adjusting the concept of the setting, cast, and plot of the story without leaving its essence. The film Ana Apa Dhik Cinta? can be accessed by the public through the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiZ3BgXgmfY. As for Pitutur Kinasih, it presents a reflective journey of the character Alfon who tries to rise and rebuild his life after experiencing a misfortune. The film Pitutur Kinasih can be accessed by the public through the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tT4Byr1uH4k. 

This creative approach provides space for students to not only hone their oral language skills, but also to understand the cultural context and local values ​​contained in learning Javanese. Mr. Bima S. Raharja, S.S., M.A., the lecturer of the Creative Spoken Javanese course, emphasized that language is not only learned, but also brought to life, optimized, and appreciated through a creative process. 

This activity reflects the spirit of supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), especially point 4th on Quality Education and point 17th on Partnerships for the Goals. In this context, collaboration between educational institutions and students creates real contributions to the preservation of regional languages.

Language is the identity and soul of a nation. Therefore, maintaining the existence of the Javanese language also means maintaining the sustainability of Javanese culture itself. Through film media, the younger generation is invited to make Javanese a living, relevant, and ever-evolving language. Such efforts need to receive attention and support from various parties so that Javanese remains an active part of the lives of Indonesian society.

[Javanese, Language and Literature, Maysa Putri Fatihah]

The National Library and École française d’Extrême-Orient (EFEO) collaborated and held an international intensive course in Old Javanese on July 01-10, 2024. This activity took place at The Cangkringan Jogja Villas & Spa, Umbulharjo, Cangkringan, Sleman, Yogyakarta, and was attended by 25 participants from various backgrounds. Experts in the field of Old Javanese were present to train the participants to understand the intricacies of the Old Javanese language.

The Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM), participated in this activity. Two lecturers of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, namely Nurmalia Habibah, S.S., M.A., and Zakariya Pamuji Aminullah, S.S., M.A., attended as lecturers. In addition, Haryo Untoro, a student from the same study program, became one of the participants in the intensive course.

For 10 days, the participants practiced the Old Javanese language. In the first five days, the first thing to understand was the morphosyntax of the Old Javanese language. The next five days, the participants began to explore works that use the Old Javanese language, such as Adiparwa, Kakawin Ramayana, Pararaton, Landa Inscription, and others. In addition, participants also participated in an excursion program to several ancient sites of the Hindu-Buddhist period, namely Sewu Temple, Plaosan Temple, and Ratu Boko Temple.

The intensive course in Old Javanese aims to train philologists in the field of Old Javanese and encourage international collaboration in this rare field. The field of Old Javanese plays an important role in revealing various treasures of the past, both in culture, knowledge, history, and other matters. Exploring these treasures is an effort to reveal the identity of the nation and improve the quality of education. To achieve these goals, cooperation from various parties is needed to realize the sustainability of the Old Javanese field and be relevant to the times.

Author : Haryo Untoro

Yogyakarta 16th of May, 2024 – The second day of Gugur Gunung 13, precisely on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, became an unforgettable moment for all residents of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM). Not without reason, because students of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program collaborated in a team called ‘Turangga Sastra Nuswantara’ to perform Jathilan Dance Drama on the peak day of Gugur Gunung 13.

The Jathilan Dance Drama performance was held at 04.00 PM –05.30 PM WIB on the stage located in Greenland. Each side of the stage was packed with members of the academic community who were interested in the Jathilan Dance Drama performance. The performance of popular art became livelier with the presence of Lala Atila as the sinden of the Jathilan Dance Drama.

Jathilan Dance Drama is a performance of Jathilan dance, an art that is closely related to the use of jaran kepang, or lumping horse, and contains drama about Javanese mythology. The legend of Javanese mythology is the legend of Ajisaka and his battle with Dewata Cengkar, a giant king in the kingdom of Medang Kamulan. The production of the Jathilan Dance Drama was led by R. Raga Budi Panuntun, a student of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program class of 2021, and directed by Yulian Kethus from the Kidung Cakrawala Art Studio.

Before the performance began, at 03.00 PM WIB, the performers and staff held a jaran bath and prayer together at Wisdom Park. Afterward, a cultural procession was carried out along the route from Wisdom Park to FIB through the north door. The folk-art performance was opened by R. Sukoco, an alumnus of the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, as the narrator. There were various speeches delivered by Idharul Huda, as the chairman of Gugur Gunung 13, Dr. Daru Winarti, Head of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, and Prof. Dr. Setiadi, S.Sos., M.Si, dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. The event continued with the traditional ceremony of kupat luwar or luwaran kupat, as a form of releasing all things that are not good so that the event can run smoothly. The next event was the presentation of the Jathilan Dance Drama which managed to amaze the entire audience. The audience seemed to really enjoy it, even dancing to the music of the Jathilan dance. The highlight of this presentation was the scene of the battle between Aji Saka and Dewata Cengkar. The thrilling battle and Aji Saka’s stunning victory drew thunderous applause from all directions.

The end of the Jathilan Dance Drama performance also marked the end of the 13th Gugur Gunung. Various beautiful and fun moments have occurred during Gugur Gunung 13. We would like to thank the enthusiasm and support from the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program, sponsors, mahadaya, and the entire academic community of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. May the culture of the archipelago be preserved and continue to live from time to time. See you at Gugur Gunung 14!

Yogyakarta, 20th of May 2024 – Wayang kulit, a traditional art recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Human Cultural Heritage, has high historical, philosophical, and artistic value. The art of puppet is considered one of the pinnacles of Javanese culture, so it is important for the younger generation to recognize, understand, and preserve this noble heritage.

In order to deepen the understanding of shadow puppets, the Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program organized a field study for the Puppet Literature course on May 16, 2024. This activity was held at the Sonobudoyo Museum in Yogyakarta, giving students the opportunity to see puppets and manuscripts related to puppets.

This field study was attended by students participating in the Puppet Literature course and guided by the lecturers, namely R. Bima Slamet Raharja, S.S., M.A., and Dr. Rudy Wiratama, S.I.P., M.A. During the activity, students had direct access to observe various puppet collections and manuscripts related to wayang kulit. The enthusiasm of the students was visible throughout this activity, showing their interest in knowing more about the cultural wealth of the nation.

The output of this field study is not only a presentation of what has been learned but also an introduction and growth of love and pride for the nation’s culture. In addition, this activity is expected to add experience and become a means of developing the scientific competence of the participants. Thus, the field course is in line with the fourth point of the sustainable development goals, namely improving the quality of education within the scope of the preservation and development of the nation’s culture.