Research collaboration is encouraged by the Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada recently. One such research collaboration is a research project between the Department of Anthropology UGM and the Department of Cultural Anthropology Udayana, which took the topic of “Balinese Local Genius: Key to Stunting Reduction in Pedawa, Bali.”. This research was funded by the Faculty of Cultural Sciences UGM and is part of an implementation of SDG Goal 2: Zero Hunger.

The research was conducted by four researchers: Atik Triratnawati and Novitasari Ardianti from UGM, and Aliffiati and Azzahra Alivya Prasetio from Udayana University. The research was conducted in Pedawa Village, Buleleng, a Bali Aga village that maintains traditional lifestyles and parenting practices. The research was conducted in June, August, and September 2023.

The research findings showed that Balinese local genius, which is still strongly held by the Pedawa community, positively impacts the health of mothers and babies. This is evident in the community’s adherence to adat or the culture, such as following a series of birth ceremonies, using local ingredients as the main food source for toddlers, and the emergence of gender equality in the family. The success of stunting reduction in this village is also supported by modern medical services, including midwifery agencies, the success of the Family Planning program (Keluarga Berencana Program), and the strong empowerment of cadres. 

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.

 

UGM celebrates its 74th anniversary on 19 December 2023. This year’s theme is Digital Transformation: Harmonising Innovation and Humanity, which highlights how humankind shall live side by side with the ‘digital life’ that seems more and more inevitable. Various activities were held to enliven this annual event. One of these events is Nitilaku.

The Nitilaku event is seen as a historical cultural symbolism in the form of a parade as a symbol of the establishment of Universitas Gadjah Mada. It started from a patch of land in Siti Hinggil of Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat Palace to became the UGM campus now in Bulaksumur. Over time, Nitilaku has transformed into a cultural event that combines various potentials from UGM, society, community, private sector, and government by highlighting historical elements of struggle and nationalism.

This year’s Nitilaku carries the theme “Kenduri Kebangsaan Merajut Tenun Ke-Indonesiaan” intending to maintain a good relationship with the Creator of the Universe. This event is carried out as a form of prayer for safety, avoiding disasters, and preventing all forms of badness that might occur due to human negligence. In addition, Nitilaku also serves as a medium for mutual awareness to maintain friendship among all nation’s citizens.

The Nitilaku event took place over two days, on 16-17 December 2023. In addition to the main event of Kenduri Kebangsaan, which includes speeches and interfaith prayer readings as well as the national carnival, Nitilaku also features various interesting activities. Art installations, kangen markets, MSME markets, and art stages will enliven the two days by involving various art and cultural communities. All of this is per the spirit of Nitilaku which mobilises broad participation from the community, especially the people of Yogyakarta.

Participation of Staff and Lecturers of FIB UGM

On Sunday, 17 December 2023, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences team participated in Nitilaku -which is one of a series of UGM 2023 Anniversary events-. On this occasion, the staff and lecturers of FIB UGM jointly participated in the parade with the route determined by the Dies committee. In line with the name of the faculty, the contingent of staff and lecturers from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences compactly wore traditional clothing from various regions. The contingent members also sang yells that ignited the spirit and made the atmosphere throughout the parade more exciting.

Sleman, (17/11/2023) – Faculty of Cultural Sciences Universitas Gadjah Mada (FIB UGM) held a Culture Day event to strengthen the bond between lecturers, teaching staff, and students. The Culture Day event is held once a month, every Friday in the third week.

“Culture Day has various events ranging from music performances, singing, and sports together. Some of the sports offered include ping pong, badminton, aerobic exercise, fitness, and healthy walking. (“The students also participated,” said Vice Dean for Research, Community Service, Cooperation and Alumni of the Faculty, Dr Mimi Savitri, M.A., at the Faculty on Friday (17/11/2023).

The Culture Day event held by FIB UGM has a special dress code, with a white basic t-shirt paired with any kind of pants. The event began with the registration of participants at 7 AM. After that, it was followed by remarks and the launching of a healthy juices program for FIB UGM residents by the Dean of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. Furthermore, the Culture Day event was closed with sports and music for one hour from eight to nine in the morning.

“Singing accompanied by music and followed by breakfast and drinking juice so that (Culture Day participants) are healthy,” concluded Mimi.