SDGs 4: Quality Education | SDGs 5: Gender Equality | SDGs 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | SDGs 17: Partnerships for the Goals

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, the Department of Anthropology invited Eric C. Thompson, a lecturer from the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the National University of Singapore (NUS), to discuss his latest book titled The Story of Southeast Asia (2024). The book discussion event, attended by the academic community within the Faculty of Cultural Sciences at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), provided fresh perspectives for the participants on the historical materialism approach in contemporary anthropological studies. On this occasion, Thompson provided a general overview of the book’s content and arguments about several sections he found particularly interesting when discussing the Southeast Asian region.

The book The Story of Southeast Asia uses historical and anthropological perspectives to examine the diversity of traditions and cultures within contemporary Southeast Asian communities, highlighting a long process. Cultural contacts between communities, established since the era of Hindu-Buddhist kingdoms, the introduction of Islam through trade, and the influence of European colonial occupation have uniquely shaped the identity and cultural practices and traditions in Southeast Asia. Through his presentation, Thompson demonstrated how these processes illustrate Southeast Asian people’s agency and the formation of social and economic networks marked by trade. The creation of these networks is considered the beginning of the formation of cultural and social identities in Southeast Asia. After the book’s content presentation by the author, Prof. Dr. Pujo Semedi, acting as the moderator, guided the Q&A session, which received enthusiastic responses from the attendees. Some questions prompted the author and discussion participants to reflect on how the process of identity formation requires sensitivity and critical thinking towards data, documents, and artifacts to provide historical and anthropological interpretations.

SDGs 4: Quality Education | SGDs 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | SDGs 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Yogyakarta (06/03/2024) – After spending the month of Ramadan full of wisdom, it is time to celebrate the blessings and warmth of Syawalan. The Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture Study Program held a Syawalan event with great joy and a spirit of togetherness. This event took place in the hallway of the 4th floor of the Margono building on May 2, 2024, starting at 04.00 PM WIB until completion, attended by students from the 2020-2023 batch along with all the lecturers.

The festivity of the syawalan event was warmly opened by Bagus Ulin Nuha, a student from the class of 2023 who acted as the announcer of the event. Followed by remarks from Gilang Cahyo Nusantara, as the head of the Kamastawa Department Student Association (HMJ), and Dr. Daru Winarti, M. Hum. as the head of the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program. In her speech, Dr. Daru Winarti, M. Hum. expressed her gratitude for the presence and togetherness that was established in this special moment.

After the speeches, it was followed by the reading of the Syawalan pledge led by M. Rafi Nur Fauzy, a 2023 student, and followed by all attendees. The syawalan event was also enlivened with a tausiah delivered by Dr. Rudy Wiratama, S.I.P., M.A., a lecturer in literary studies. The tausiah brought an important theme about the true meaning of Eid al-Fitr, inviting the audience to reflect and interpret the moment of fitri more deeply. After the sermon, the event continued with a joint prayer led by Dr. Rudy Wiratama, S.I.P., M.A. The peak of the warmth of the event occurred during the halal bi halal session, where all attendees jointly expressed their apologies and forgiveness, strengthening the ties of brotherhood among them. The moment of joy was immortalized in a group photo session which was also the closing session of the syawalan activity.

Syawalan is not only a religious ritual, but also a place to strengthen the relationship between students and lecturers as part of the family in the Javanese Language, Literature and Culture Study Program. This syawalan activity is also interpreted to be self-reflective, learn to forgive, and build harmonious relationships. Through this moment, it is hoped that awareness of the importance of good relationships and respect for others will continue to be instilled, become part of the formation of a quality person, and be ready to face a bright and challenging future.

Author: Haryo Untoro

SDGs 3: Good Health and Well-Being | SDGs 4: Quality Education | SDGs 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | SDGs 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Yogyakarta, April 24, 2024 – The Association of Arabic Literature Students UGM (IKMASA) held a Halal Bihalal event on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at Siti Baroroh Building A201, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada. This event is a regular agenda of IKMASA conducted during the month of Shawwal and is mandatory for all Arabic Literature students at Universitas Gadjah Mada.

The event was attended by Dr. Zulfa Purnamawati, S.S., M.Hum., Head of the Arabic Literature Program, Arief Budiman, S.S., M.A., an Arabic Literature lecturer, and the speaker, who is an alumnus of Arabic Literature UGM, Ustadz Ibnus-Sakan Al-Faishal, S.S., M.Sc.

The event began with an opening by the MC, followed by welcoming speeches and the recitation of the Shawwal pledge by the Head of the Program, the Arabic Literature lecturer, the Chair of IKMASA 2024/2025, and representatives of the 2021, 2022, and 2023 cohorts. This was followed by a presentation by the speaker, moderated Q&A sessions, games, the presentation of souvenirs, a documentation session, and concluded with a closing.

The agenda discussed the theme “Weaving Harmony in Togetherness, to Strengthen the Foundation of Unity,” which can be summarized with the following quotes:

“Halal bihalal is a cultural product in Indonesia initiated by Abdul Wahab Chasbullah. It was first held in 1948 at the Merdeka Palace to reconcile DI/TII, Masyumi, Kartosuwiryo, and others to prevent division at that time.” – Ustadz Ibnus-Sakan Al-Faishal, S.S., M.Sc.

“The blessing of halal bihalal is that it can strengthen the bonds of friendship between one another, between students and lecturers, maintain harmony, and reinforce togetherness.” – Ustadz Ibnus-Sakan Al-Faishal, S.S., M.Sc.

It is hoped that through this general lecture with the theme “Weaving Harmony in Togetherness, to Strengthen the Foundation of Unity,” Arabic Literature students will be able to maintain their bonds of friendship, thereby creating a sense of togetherness among each other.