BANGI, SELANGOR — Three Master’s students in Literary Studies from the Department of Language and Literature, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM)—Priyo Joko Purnomo, M. Aufal Ghufron, and Maulana Nurul Izza—participated as paper presenters at the 4th International Seminar on Malay Manuscripts (Seminar Antarabangsa Manuskrip Melayu/SEMALU IV) 2026.

At the international seminar, organized by the Malay World Manuscript Research Centre (Pusat Penyelidikan Manuskrip Alam Melayu/PPMAM), Institute of the Malay World and Civilization (Institut Alam dan Tamadun Melayu/ATMA), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), the three researchers presented a study entitled “Fortune-Telling: The Dynamics of the Abajadun Numerical System in Malay and Javanese Manuscript Traditions.”

SEMALU IV 2026 was held at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia, on July 21, 2026. The seminar carried the theme “Preserving the Heritage of Malay World Manuscripts through Research and Innovation” and brought together scholars, researchers, academics, and the general public to discuss the richness of Malay manuscripts and the intellectual heritage of the Malay world.

Through their research, the three UGM students examined the dynamics of the adaptation of the Abajadun numerical system within Malay and Javanese manuscript traditions, particularly in the manuscripts Syair Raksi Macam Baru (SRMB) and Kitab Mujarrabat Pegon (KMP). The study highlights how a numerical system that assigns numerical values to Arabic letters underwent processes of adaptation, negotiation, and localization as it interacted with Malay and Javanese cultures.

The study demonstrates that Abajadun is not merely a system of calculation or fortune-telling. Within the manuscript traditions of the Nusantara, the system developed into a cosmological technology that connects human beings, time, nature, and God within a network of meaning. Through calculations involving letters, names, days, and various other elements, communities sought to understand future possibilities and determine appropriate courses of action.

In the Malay tradition, the study of Syair Raksi Macam Baru reveals the use of the Abajadun system to determine compatibility between couples through the calculation of names. Meanwhile, Kitab Mujarrabat Pegon demonstrates the intersection between the Abajadun numerical system and the Javanese tradition of petungan, including the use of the concept of neptu—the numerical values associated with days and market days—for various purposes, such as determining auspicious times for trading, medical treatment, and marriage.

The study also emphasizes that Malay and Javanese manuscripts serve as spaces for the production and negotiation of knowledge. Numbers, letters, names, days, and fate are woven together into a cultural mechanism that helps communities understand uncertainty and organize various decisions in social life.

Drawing on Stuart Hall’s perspective on cultural representation and E.J. Aarseth’s concept of ergodic literature, the study views Abajadun as a sign system whose meanings are not always directly available in the text. Readers must perform a series of operations, beginning with converting letters into numbers, calculating particular values, and interpreting the results. In this process, readers play an active role in discovering the meanings contained within the manuscripts.

“Abajadun serves as a navigator that guides readers from letters to numbers, from numbers to interpretation, and from interpretation to social decisions,” reflects the central idea proposed in the study.

The participation of UGM Master’s students in SEMALU IV 2026 forms part of broader efforts to expand research on Nusantara manuscripts while demonstrating the relevance of traditional knowledge heritage within contemporary academic discourse. The study of Abajadun also shows that Malay and Javanese manuscripts reflect a creative encounter between Islamic traditions and local cosmologies, giving rise to distinctive knowledge systems in the Nusantara.

Through the SEMALU IV forum, the study further strengthens efforts to preserve the manuscript heritage of the Malay world through research and innovation. Manuscripts are not merely viewed as historical relics, but also as sources of knowledge that can continue to be studied, interpreted, and introduced to new generations.

Author: Khotibul Umam

Yogyakarta – The Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), held the Mangayubagya Ceremony for Postgraduate Graduates, Period IV of the 2025/2026 Academic Year on Wednesday (July 22) at the Auditorium of the Poerbatjaraka Building, FIB UGM. The event served as an occasion to honor graduates for completing their studies while highlighting inspiring stories from among the graduating class. Among them were Nabillah Faisal Azzahra, the first graduate of the Master of Arts Program to complete her studies through the Fast Track scheme, and Wanda Andres Saputra, one of the program’s fastest graduates.

For Nabillah, pursuing a master’s degree through the Fast Track Program stemmed from her passion for Japanese literature. A 2021 graduate of the Japanese Language and Culture undergraduate program at FIB UGM, she continued her studies in the Master of Arts Program in 2024 after learning about the Fast Track scheme from her academic advisor.

“I enjoy reading and analyzing Japanese literary works, especially to understand the social and cultural phenomena and issues they present through various theoretical approaches. When my academic advisor introduced the Fast Track Program, I felt it was the perfect opportunity to deepen my interest while continuing my studies more efficiently,” she said.

Entering graduate school, Nabillah experienced a significant shift in the pace of learning, requiring greater independence. She had to engage more extensively with academic literature, think more critically, and develop stronger scholarly arguments. Rather than seeing these demands as obstacles, she viewed them as exciting opportunities to broaden her perspective on literary studies.

“At first, I was surprised by how much more in-depth the theories and research methodologies were. But that was also what made the experience so fascinating. Every course introduced a new way of thinking and made me enjoy the learning process even more,” she explained.

As part of the first cohort of the Fast Track Master’s Program in Literature, Nabillah also had to develop her own academic strategy without the guidance of senior students who had previously gone through the same program. Nevertheless, she believes the Fast Track Program offers numerous advantages, from saving time and costs to allowing students to maintain the academic momentum they built during their undergraduate studies.

“The Fast Track Program certainly has its challenges because the pace is fast and intensive. However, it also offers many benefits for students who already know they want to pursue graduate studies. It has also strengthened my aspiration to become an academic, given the opportunity,” she added.

Another inspiring story came from Wanda Andres Saputra, a graduate of the Master of Arts Program with a concentration in English Literature, who completed his studies as one of the program’s fastest graduates. Wanda began his master’s studies in February 2025 with the goal of deepening his expertise in English literary studies while preparing for a career in academia.

Despite earning recognition as one of the fastest graduates, Wanda admitted that completing his studies quickly had never been his primary goal.

“At the beginning of my studies, I never aimed to become the fastest graduate or even the best student. My focus was simply on conducting research that was relevant and needed to be completed. That’s why I was both happy and surprised to be recognized as one of the fastest graduates,” he said.

During his studies, Wanda completed all of his coursework within his first two semesters. By the third semester, he devoted his full attention to writing his thesis. While balancing his responsibilities as an English academic staff member and a TOEFL ITP tutor, he consistently set aside time each day to work on his thesis.

According to Wanda, graduating on time is not the result of extraordinary strategies but of consistency and a clear commitment to one’s academic interests.

“There was no special strategy. I simply stayed focused on the field of knowledge I wanted to master. I worked on my thesis every day before work, during lunch breaks, and again at night. The most important thing is to maintain your momentum and stay consistent,” he explained.

His academic journey was not without challenges. Wanda revealed that he revised his research title several times and refined his theoretical framework before ultimately producing a thesis that met rigorous academic standards.

He also encouraged current master’s students not to focus solely on graduating quickly but to develop a clear academic direction.

“Focus on the field you truly want to explore. Once you know what kind of expert you want to become, your learning process becomes much more focused, and you can complete your studies effectively without compromising academic quality,” he advised.

Both Nabillah and Wanda agreed that their academic achievements would not have been possible without the unwavering support of their supervisors and families. They expressed their gratitude to the lecturers and the entire academic community of FIB UGM for guiding them throughout their studies, as well as to their families for their constant encouragement and prayers.

Through the stories of these two graduates, FIB UGM reaffirms its commitment to fostering an academic environment that enables students to reach their full potential. The Fast Track Program provides students with the opportunity to accelerate their academic journey without compromising educational quality, while the achievement of graduating on time demonstrates that focus, consistency, and a passion for learning are essential to success in higher education. The experiences of Nabillah Faisal Azzahra and Wanda Andres Saputra are expected to inspire other students to pursue academic excellence, produce meaningful research, and contribute to both academia and society.

Author: Khotibul Umam

JAKARTA – Academics from Gadjah Mada University (UGM) have once again achieved a prestigious milestone on the national stage. Fitrilya Anjarsari, a doctoral student in the Humanities at UGM, was officially named First Prize Winner of the Jakarta Arts Council (DKJ) 2026 Literary Criticism Competition. The announcement was made during the “2026 DKJ Literary Criticism Contest Awards Night,” which took place in a solemn ceremony at the Small Theater Building, Taman Ismail Marzuki, on July 23, 2026.

Fitrilya succeeded in outshining 141 other entries that had passed the administrative screening with her essay titled “The Collapse of Humanity as the Center: Post-Human Tendencies in Contemporary Indonesian Literary Aesthetics.” This victory is not only a source of personal pride but also reflects the depth of intellectual tradition and the sharpness of critical analysis fostered within UGM’s doctoral program.

This year’s contest is held under the overarching theme “The Long Journey of Indonesian Literature.” Fadjriah Nurdiarsih, Chair of the DKJ Literature Committee, explained that this event represents a consistent effort to foster a healthy ecosystem of thought and scholarly tradition. Since its inception in 2007, this competition has served as a vital platform for the emergence of new literary critics capable of offering fresh perspectives on the development of literature.

In his remarks, DKJ Executive Chair Bambang Prihadi emphasized that literary criticism acts as a bridge, enabling works of art to be discussed and appreciated more deeply by the general public. In line with this, Harry Sanjaya, Head of the Management Unit of the Jakarta Arts Center Taman Ismail Marzuki (UPPKJ TIM), stated that a vibrant tradition of criticism is the foundation for the nation’s cultural progress.

The manuscript written by Fitrilya Anjarsari caught the jury’s attention for its bold exploration of post-humanism in Indonesian literature after the year 2000. In the jury’s statement, read by Areispine Dymussaga Miraviori and Asep Subhan, Fitrilya’s work was deemed capable of transcending conventional readings that typically focus on the human subject.

Fitrilya employs cutting-edge references to analyze four literary works as her subject matter, namely:
1. O (2016) by Eka Kurniawan;
2. Semua Ikan di Langit (2017) by Ziggy Zezsyazeoviennazabrizkie;
3. Aroma Karsa (2018) by Dee Lestari;
4. Gentayangan: Pilih Sendiri Petualangan Sepatu Merahmu (2017) by Intan Paramaditha.

In her analysis, Fitrilya demonstrates how non-human elements in these novels are no longer merely background or supplementary elements, but have transformed into story drivers with agency (both material and non-material). The author skillfully weaves together theoretical foundations and formal analysis using simple language that maintains a rigorous scientific structure through the division of subsections, which enhances overall readability.

The judging process was conducted via “blind reading,” in which the judges evaluated the manuscript without knowing the author’s identity or regional origin. This ensures objectivity in determining the winner based on craftsmanship, readability, and the novelty of the arguments.

Although named the winner, the judging panel still provided critical feedback as part of a healthy academic tradition. The judges highlighted the opening section of Fitrilya’s manuscript, where she presented various humanistic trends in the interpretation of contemporary literary works as the basis for her argument. According to the judges, this section lacked concrete examples, leaving room for doubt as to whether these trends actually exist within the current critical landscape or are merely the author’s imagination.

However, these shortcomings were offset by Fitrilya’s keen ability to weave narrative elements into a highly compelling contextual interpretation. The judges concluded that Fitrilya’s manuscript is a highly versatile work that demonstrates the skill of a master reader in charting a new direction for Indonesian literary aesthetics.

Fitrilya Anjarsari’s first-place victory, followed by Cindy Wijaya (2nd place) and Ridwanul Hakim Authonul Muther (3rd place), demonstrates the dominance of the younger generation on the national literary criticism scene. Bambang Prihadi noted that the majority of this year’s contest participants were from the millennial and Gen Z generations, proving that the critical thinking skills of Indonesia’s youth remain strong.

As a doctoral student in the Humanities at UGM, Fitrilya’s achievement serves as tangible proof of the university’s academic community’s contribution to charting a new course for literary studies beyond the ivory tower of academia. This essay will be published on tengara.id, a literary criticism website operated by the DKJ Literature Committee, so that it can be widely accessed by the public and other researchers.

The awards ceremony concluded with the hope that the winners would continue to inspire critical thinking. With this victory, Fitrilya Anjarsari not only took home a tangible award but also solidified her position as one of the future critics poised to guide “The Long Road of Indonesian Literature” with a sharp and relevant academic perspective.

Penulis: Islahuddin Ibrahim

Sumber dokumentasi:

https://www.youtube.com/live/sJnTES3fXr8?si=ySQ6Kf1tXQDfXq-W 

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)

“Gamelan Mahasiswa Sastra Nusantara,” better known as Gamasutra, once again enlivened the Gamelan Festival organized by the Faculty of Philosophy on Saturday, July 18, 2026. This festival is an annual event held as part of the Faculty of Philosophy’s anniversary celebrations. This year’s festival featured 52 gamelan groups, both from within and outside Gadjah Mada University. The event took place over two consecutive days, Saturday and Sunday, July 18–19, 2026.

Gamasutra performed six gendhing pieces: “Ladrang Sumyar,” “Lagon Emplek-emplek Ketepu,” “Lagon Kembang Jagung,” “Lancaran Aku Duwe Pitik,” “Ketawang Manggung Sore,” and “Ayak-ayak Pamungkas RRI.” “These gendhing pieces were performed with the intention of reviving a repertoire that hasn’t been performed in a long time, and to reintroduce traditional children’s songs,” said Yanuar, a student in the Department of Javanese Language, Literature, and Culture at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences who initiated this repertoire.

Each of these pieces has a different meaning. “Lagon Emplek-emplek Ketepu,” “Lagon Kembang Jagung,” and “Lancaran Aku Duwe Pitik” are children’s songs with cheerful rhythms. “Ladrang Sumyar,” which serves as the main piece in Gamasutra’s performance, is presented with a distinctly different feel. “Unlike Ladrang Sumyar, which is usually performed in the laras pelog pathet barang, we perform it in laras slendro pathet manyura,” said Yanuar. These pieces are also reconstructions of old recordings from RRI Yogyakarta, RRI Kraton Yogyakarta, SMKI Yogyakarta, and Karawitan Condong Raos.

Gamasutra’s participation in the Karawitan Festival is part of the efforts by students at the Faculty of Humanities, UGM, to continue revitalizing, preserving, and reintroducing the richness of Javanese karawitan to the wider public. Through a repertoire ranging from classical gendhing to children’s songs, Gamasutra demonstrates its commitment to maintaining the continuity of the karawitan art tradition amid the changing times.

[Humas FIB, Maylafaizza Nafisha Zifa]