Yogyakarta, 12/06/2025 – The Department of Anthropology held a dissertation proposal seminar on June 12, 2025, featuring Tri Isnani’s research titled “The Existence of the Brandu Tradition Amid the Anthrax Outbreak in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY).”

The brandu tradition is a community-based fundraising practice in which local residents collectively contribute money to ease the financial burden of livestock owners whose animals are either sick or have died. Livestock holds deep cultural and economic significance for the community. The term brandu originates from minterke anak—meaning “to support a child”—highlighting the role of animals such as cows and goats as a form of savings, often used to finance children’s education, weddings, and traditional ceremonies such as rasulan, ingkung sewu, nyumbang, and others.

However, Isnani noted growing public concern over the anthrax outbreak, which has become a serious public health crisis in the region. The issue has drawn the attention of not only the public but also government bodies and health agencies. In response, Isnani proposed a deeper investigation through the lens of medical anthropology.

Prof. Dr. Atik Triratnawati, M.A., as Isnani’s main supervisor, and Dr. M. Choirul Hidajat, SKM., M.Kes., both emphasized the need for anthropological research grounded in an emic perspective, employing ethnographic methods in the formulation of health-related programs and policies. They stressed that such an approach is crucial for effective disease control under the “One Health” framework—a multidisciplinary strategy encompassing both prevention and treatment.

The seminar also featured Dr. Elan A. Lazuardi, a faculty member in the Department of Anthropology with a focus on health studies. He underlined the importance of researcher positionality in fieldwork. Additional discussants—Ahriyadi Sofyan, Rizqi R., Ayu F., and Dyah Ayu—offered constructive feedback to help strengthen Isnani’s research. The event was also attended by students from the Master’s and Doctoral programs in Anthropology, as well as from the Doctoral Program in Humanities.

In closing, Prof. Dr. Atik Triratnawati reminded participants that doctoral research should arrive at a philosophical understanding rooted in community values—specifically, exploring the deeper meaning behind the brandu tradition. Once such a philosophy is grasped, it can shape the direction of the research more profoundly.

Furthermore, Dr. M. Choirul Hidajat, a researcher at BRIN (National Research and Innovation Agency), highlighted the relevance of anthropological perspectives in medical studies. He emphasized that the novelty of such research lies in anthropology’s ability to interpret health phenomena in culturally grounded ways. “This is crucial,” he said. “Perhaps the true contribution of this study is its potential to offer input into health programs that empower, rather than intimidate, the community—ultimately supporting inclusive program development.”

[Cultural Anthropology, Dewi Widyastuti]

Back again from Friday Ceria FIB Sehat, this routine activity is back to realize a healthier and happier balanced life routine. This activity was attended by lecturers, teaching staff, and academic community of Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM. Various types of sports were held in this activity, including healthy gymnastics, line dance, fitness/gym, badminton, table tennis, and healthy walking. Today’s special event was a new sport, Volleyball.

Photo 1: The staff are having fun playing volleyball.

Together with the academic community and educators, FIB UGM filled this activity with excitement. Each participant can choose sports according to their interests and habits. Not only providing physical benefits, apparently this activity also builds togetherness, enthusiasm, and maintains the mental health of each participant. This is part of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences’ commitment to promoting health and well-being among the academic community.

Photo 2: Gym Room Faculty of Humanities

Yogyakarta, Thursday, June 6, 2024 – The Arabic Literature Study Program of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) held an offline Tourism Arabic Lecture at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM. The lecture presented a practitioner from UGM Faculty of Cultural Sciences Alumni, Ghifari Yuristiadhi Masyhari Makhasi, S.S., M.A., M.M., C.H.E. who currently works as a Tourism Lecturer at UGM Vocational School. In this activity, Ghifari shared experiences and practical knowledge on how to become a proficient Arabic tour guide.

The students were very enthusiastic about the lecture, especially because they could directly interact with practitioners and get first-hand insight into the challenges and opportunities in the tourism industry using Arabic. Ghifari also provided a tour guide simulation, where students were invited to play the role of tour guides and tourists. With this lecture, students are expected to be better prepared for the world of work and have additional skills that can increase their competitiveness in the global market.

This lecture is part of the UGM Arabic Literature Study Program’s efforts to improve the quality of education and curriculum relevance to industry needs.

Yogyakarta, June 4, 2024 – The Arabic Literature Study Program of Universitas Gadjah Mada held a National Seminar on “Arabic Language Development in Various Media” held at Soegondo Building S709, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. This event was held by the UGM Arabic Literature Study Program as a form of respect and appreciation for the dedication given by Dr. Moh. Masrukhi, M.Hum., who has devoted himself for 35 years in the world of education.

The event was attended by Suray Agung Nugroho S.S., M.A., Ph.D., as Vice Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (online), Dr. Sudibyo, M.Hum., as Head of the Department of Language and Literature, Dr. Zulfa Purnamawati, S.S., M.Hum., as Head of the Arabic Literature Study Program, lecturers and colleagues of Dr. Moh. Masrukhi, M.Hum., as well as students and alumni.

The event began with the opening by the MC, recitation of the holy verses of the Qur’an, singing Indonesia Raya and Gadjah Mada Hymn, remarks, National Seminar program, delivery of impressions and messages, tumpeng cutting procession, giving mementos, reading prayers together, and ending with closing.

The National Seminar “Arabic Language Development in Various Media” was hosted by Dr. Arief Ma’nawi, S.S., M.Hum. as moderator with three speakers:

• Prof. Dr. Syamsul Hadi, S.U., M.A., discussed about “Form and Meaning in Fi’il Tsulatsi and Ruba’i”. He explained that the meaning and form of verbs in Arabic are very numerous and there are 58 forms that have never been revealed. This research will provide new convenience in the productivity of the formation of fi’il mazid. in terms of form and meaning, as well as in terms of meaning and form.
• Prof. Dr. H. Tulus Musthofa, L.C., M.A., with the topic “The Development of Semantics in Arabic Viewed from Modern Linguistics”, highlighted the development of new meanings in old words, when conditions and situations affect the meaning, and also the many uses of language in different situations and uses.
• Dr. Moh. Masrukhi, M.Hum., who presented on “Verbal and Nonverbal Elements of Egyptian Print Media Commercial Advertisements: Discourse Analysis”, explained that every advertisement contains a message as well as meaning. Advertisements in Egypt besides having a semantic form, also have a semiotic form. Most magazine advertisements in Egypt do not express verbal elements, but express nonverbal elements. Ads also have nonverbal elements that can be interpreted contextually.

Through the National Seminar “Arabic Language Development in Various Media”, it is hoped that the research that has been carried out can be published and widely accessed and individual and institutional research cooperation will be stronger.

The Visiting Professor National Seminar organized by the American Studies Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences on Monday, February 19, 2024 at the Auditorium of the Soegondo building, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, is one of a series of events to commemorate the retirement of Prof. Ida Rochani Adi, S.U. The seminar was named “Seminar on Popular Culture and Literature” led by moderator: Dr. Herman Felani, M.A. with Prof. Ida who acted directly as Keynote Speaker. The National Seminar event also presented two professors, both of whom are alumni of the American Studies Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, UGM, namely Prof. Mister Gideon Maru from Universitas Negri Manado who acted as the first presenter and Prof. Nuriadi from Mataram University who acted as the second presenter. Both Prof. Gidion and Prof. Nuriadi discussed the social society’s view on the phenomenon of American popular culture and literature and its influence in Indonesia.

According to the view of the speakers at the seminar, literature is something that is always synonymous with “fiction”, “the result of fantasy”, “imagination”, and “fabrications” made up by the author. Although not wrong, this view tends to “degrade” literature as a creative work, and a science in the social humanities. In fact, in a deeper sense, literary works are expressions of feelings, thoughts, views on life, character principles, and ideal visions of life that are owned or dreamed of by a writer either in the form of “fiction” (novels, short stories, folklore, legends, etc.), or “non-fiction” (letters, essays, speeches, biographies, autobiographies, etc.). This discussion can be seen from the themes discussed by the speakers: American Literature in the Puritan Era as well as Popular Culture. The extraordinary discussion was closed with comments from Prof. Ida, then continued with the giving of souvenirs and certificates for moderators and presenters as well as group photos.

In addition to the Seminar in Popular Culture and Literature, another agenda that attracted literature enthusiasts in the series of Prof. Ida Rochadi Adi, S.U.’s After-Duty events was the Book Review [R]EVOLUTION OF SASTRA IN THE DIGITAL ERA: Theoretical and Historical Perspectives whose author is none other than Prof. Ida herself. The agenda, which began at 10.30 at the same place and date, was also one of a series of retirement events for Prof. Dr. Ida Rochani Adi, S.U. Guided by two other moderators, Dr. Anna Sriastuti, M.Hum. from Satya Wacana Christian University, Salatiga and Dr. Rif’ah Innayati, M.A. from Trunojoyo University, Madura. Both explained that the book aims to respond to technological developments that are able to change the mature order of one discipline. While trying to capture the lament of a discipline that faces the dilemma of technological change, the book also tries to offer a framework of thought in responding to the development of the digital world in the world of literature using theoretical and historical perspectives. In addition to providing food for thought and contemplation, the book also provides new ideas on the phenomenon of literary works in the development of the digital world in the modern era. Finally, both speakers strongly recommended reading the book because it can really open up thoughts about literature in the digital era.