Tradition (part 1)

Somehow, I think that I am not a good citizen of Indonesia, particularly of Java island, for my only few knowledge of the traditional culture in this country. Indonesia, indeed, has a loooooot of traditions in which if people get to know closer, they will find the meanings behind them.

I am a Javanese, however, I don't think I know much about my tribe's culture. Java is one of biggest islands in Indonesia, which has the most crowded population. Java itself has several tribes live in which have various culture and tradition. Roughly, there are some influential tribes in this island, Sundanese (West Java), Betawi (DKI Jakarta), Javanese (Central Java), Madura (East java). At this time, I'd like to write about some traditions in my hometown, Central Java.

Living here for the whole of my life, doesn't mean that I know all of the culture and tradition here. I only know some traditional games and the custom of traditional wedding ceremony. Still, I can watch those kind of Javanese culture in my surroundings in a village I live, in the capital of Central Java. As we all know, nowadays, most people don't really have concern about culture and tradition since they are busy with many products of hi-tech and globalization. The change of people's life style affects their living. Below, I'd like to share some traditional culture of Java.

1. Games

There are lots of traditional games of Javanese, such as Cublak-cublak Suweng, Dakonan, Gobak Sodor, Bethengan, Kasti, Jithungan, etc.

Cublak2 Suweng is a game played by several persons making a circle, put their palm forward, then one of the player's hand moves around the palms. The other players sing a particular song for this game. Meanwhile, Dakonan is a game played by a pair of kids, who have to fill out every hole on the "papan dakon" around, with seeds provided. This functions to sharpen one's precision and sportsmanship.

Gobak Sodor and Bethengan are quite similar. The players are divided into two teams. The players have to protect each territory and prevent the opponent team from entering it and grabbing one of the member that make them lost due to the lack of persons. However, Gobak Sodor is different to Bethengan that the players are allowed to go around their territory without any restriction, while the other one's players have to grab or touch a certain thing during the game in order to keep alive.

I remember the last time I played those game was when I was at Elementary School. I used to play with my neighbors, around the houses. We usually played the games at night under the fullmoon in my front yard.

Kasthi and Jithungan are usually played during the day. Kasthi can be compared to Javanese baseball since they both need a tennis-ball-size-like ball and quite similar rules to play. Once, when the player is hit by the ball, then he/she lost. Whilst, Jithungan is what so called hide and seek. We have to search for the hidden players.

Children, lately, do not recognize those kinds of games. They are more likely to play video games, PS, computer, or watching TV instead. They don't get used to play outside, making (real) friends, socialize to their peers. Actually, this may reduce their regards and tolerances to others. Even though they are smarter for being expert in technology, this habit encourages individualism among children. Nevertheless, as Javanese, we are supposed to preserve our culture and introduce it to the kids, since there are many moral values which are fruitful in living.

...to be continued...

Eastern Beaches in Jogjakarta

It was on Sunday, May 8th, 2011. That was not my first trip to eastern beaches in Jogjakarta. It was though a lovely trip with my lovely one! :) We spent the time a day long, taking many photographs, paddling, and enjoying the sceneries, indeed. There were the two of us, but let's just use the subject I. ;)

On the first beach, Baron beach, I got no satisfactory. The water was so dirty like a "chocolate-milk" sea. I wondered if I arrived there too early so that I got no beautiful sceneries. I got a cute photo of a baby-crab though ;)

Going to the next site, in Kukup beach. It was so pretty and wonderful, yet drizzling at that time. The waves looked so tough and dangerous yet so relieving by its whir. It has white sands, rocks, and seems like Tanah Lot in Bali. However I didn't really enjoy with the sand since it was so crowded. Thus, took some photographs were much more delightful.. ^^

Enjoying the wave-whir, letting the wind blows my hair, releasing the burden for a while were easily made by sitting on the seashore. It seemed like many things in mind were crushed as the wave hit the rocks. It was my third site, in Sepanjang Beach. The most beautiful and wonderful beaches of all. The path for reaching there is barely covered by asphalt, but gravels. It is so damn beautiful yet!!

Praise Allah SWT for all of His creatures. Praise Him for all of His blessings for me. Jogjakarta has actually many beautiful sites to visit as in Bali. They just need an attractive advertisement to promote them. On the other hand, the more visitors, the more expenses are used to maintain its facilities.
There was two more beaches visited, namely Drini and Sundak. Sundak was so crowded by many people, families with their children. There was no worry on parents's face for knowing their children playing around the beaches. In fact, they also would like to have the perfect holidays. ^^

The last but the least, Drini was my second favorite one. I was too tired to take the pics so that I was just enjoying the sceneries, though.

A bunch of thanks and love for Ovennevo as accompanied me to refresh mind. Jogja, I'm in love indeed.

Cheers... ^^

Long lonely road

It sometimes comes in mind,

Human live in the world for their own sake,

for their own goal, afterlife..

it suddenly appears in mind,

People live, later, to have a struggle for their aims,

in their own ways, theirselves...

When the dark is coming, and no other places to run..

There is only a way to share, for contemplation

there is nothing appropriate to make reasons

there is none of them who fits for this turn..

Yet, there should be only once

For I realize that love has no reasons

how butterflies fly around in stomach,

happen inexplicably..

like in your sight which is extraterrestrial

look in your total supports which mean a lot

as I love the way you make me laugh..

For every beautiful things occur,

those may always be remarkable..

over and over again..

Next to PH-Jakal, 11.01, 090511

-Happy Anniversary-

Verse Vo Very-best-friends

moments in the past teach me not to fall into again..

memories kept in mind, always remind me not to throw times away..

tears and laughs which have been passed through..

give me strength to stand by still, and show me how precious them all..

never want I put them behind but in mind

never want I put them aside, while keep walking in faith

sometimes, such losing my self, drowning by past reminiscence

which trap into the same comfort zone..

sometimes, regrets run after me when hurts coming

as the reflections

being who I am still..

yet wheels must be rolling still

not that heavy to climb the hill

since life will run as if follows your strong willing

unless it's the best faith, there's nothing about "lucks-mill"

..and..

that's how I be here..

due to my past, for its present, leading to future

till the infinity..

02:11 - 10.04.11

La memoire de juste moi, tui, lui, elle, nous et les

Just don't make a wrong perception of the title. I will just let you make a broad thinking about the title and this blog content. This was made when I was very full after getting "real" dinner with a friend of mine. Our trip was just reminded me about several thinkings that already came to my mind few days ago.

Sometimes we just tell friends, particularly when they're in such kind of any problematic situation. Whether it's about love, life, money earn, etc related to their personal sometimes people need to share. However, as the one to be shared, we also need to share, since it is human that we need to communicate humanly, talking about living. As a good hearer, or particularly what is so called good friend, we are expectedly to give kinda good advice for betterment. Perhaps, later on, if we succeeded in giving advice, our troubled friend may be able to think broader and more calm to face their problems.

Actually, as a human being, we should consider that LIFE IS NEVER FLAT!! Whether you agree or not, I will always believe in that matter. If it's just flat, there will be no color in life as we could see on a rainbow, those make life beautiful. In accordance to that matter, some advice from another one are just necessary. Nevertheless, the ONE who is able to be wise, giving GOOD ADVICE and SUGGESTION is NOT the ONE who is able to APPLY it in life whenever they're trapped in the same situation. That could not be called "MUNAFIK" or "HYPOCRITE". It is a matter of different point of view.

I do believe that a person has their own limit. It is more likely affected by their mood, condition, and feeling. Thus, when later that wise person was caught by that problem, he/she might not be able to stand on their own thinking formerly which was beneficial to friends. Kinda dilemma, although it happens in my real life. When we're facing any troubles, we hardly think which is the best way to solve the problem. We need any other perception and point of view from, of course the one we trust in, thus make us think more obviously.

Somehow, me, myself do the same thing that I was failed in doing my best effort. I was making failure and big mistake that made me feel so embarrassed. Later, I realized that I should not just give in and doing nothing after all. There are still any other life's role play, love, and living to live up. I do believe that my beloved family, lovely besties, dearest friends, and even envy enemy will always color my life. Thank you for the memories that we've been through..hopefully there will be another different story in our life.

..Je vous aime mes amis..

my concern lately

...the more time I've passed my study...the more I realize...

"LITERATURE DEVELOP HUMAN NATURE,,,"

Concern of my beloved country

This was the article which unfaithfully made by me. It was one of the task of pascasarjana student, my mother. Unpredictably, I am able to think of this matter. Later, I thought that in fact, this is the matter I should concern about. Even though Indonesian language is not my major field in the university, I should concern about Indonesia, and all stuff about it. Because of what..? Because I LOVE my country, INDONESIA!!!

Pengajaran Pendidikan Berbahasa Bagi Anak-anak dimulai dari Orang Tua

Bahasa merupakan sebuah bunyi yang memiliki arti. Bahasa digunakan manusia sebagai alat komunikasi dalam kehidupan sehari-hari. Bahasa memiliki banyak ragam jenis, dialek, dan aksen yang biasanya di bedakan secara geografis dan situasi penggunanya. Di Indonesia sendiri, yang merupakan Negara kepulauan terbesar di dunia, penduduknya memiliki bahasa dan dialek lisan dan tertulis sekitar 250 jenis (Asmito, 1988: 48; Poesponegoro, 1984: 283; Alisjahbana, 1988: 203). Ragam bahasa tersebut tersebar luas di sekitar 13.667 pulau. Dengan adanya beragam bahasa tersebut, bangsa Indonesia tetap memiliki satu bahasa pemersatu yaitu bahasa Indonesia.

Akhir-akhir ini telah lahir banyak pengarang muda di Indonesia yang menerbitkan karya-karya sastra modern. Hal itu merupakan kabar gembira bagi dunia sastra Indonesia karena geliat penulis-penulis muda untuk menghasilkan sebuah karya, seperti novel atau cerita-cerita pendek semakin tinggi. Namun, satu hal yang disayangkan adalah dengan banyaknya karya sastra modern bahasa yang digunakan pun semakin menjauh dari yang selazimnya. Tidak seperti penulis-penulis yang lebih dahulu menghasilkan karya sastra di era sebelumnya, bahasa yang digunakan tidak sesuai dengan bahasa Indonesia baku yang telah disempurnakan.

Seiring berjalannya waktu, semakin berkembangnya peradaban dan teknologi, bahasa yang digunakan dalam kehidupan sehari-hari pun berkembang. Sangat disayangkan perkembangan yang dimaksud tidak mengarah ke hal positif melainkan hal-hal yang negatif. Hal ini tercermin dari pergaulan generasi muda sekarang yang banyak menggunakan bahasa Indonesia tidak baku, bahkan terkesan sebagai bahasa gaul di kehidupan sehari-hari. Dengan penerapan bahasa “gaul” tersebut dalam kehidupan sehari-hari, bukan hal yang mustahil jika nantinya generasi muda akan melupakan bahasa Indonesia yang seutuhnya. Sebenarnya bahasa Indonesia memiliki banyak kosakata dan makna yang indah yang dapat digunakan dalam penulisan suatu karya. Namun, beberapa penulis muda lebih memilih menggunakan bahasa-bahasa “gaul” dengan alasan komersil agar lebih mudah diterima oleh pembaca yang kebanyakan berasal dari kalangan remaja.

Jika karya-karya sastra modern berbahasa “gaul” banyak terbit di kalangan masyarakat terutama generasi muda, bukan hal yang tidak mungkin nantinya bahasa Indonesia akan mengalami penyempitan dan penyusutan. Oleh karena itu, orang tua diharapkan dapat berperan dalam menjaga kelestarian bahasa pemersatu kita, bahasa Indonesia.

Mengingat bahwa generasi muda, yang sebagian masih harus duduk di bangku di sekolah, hanya mendapatkan pendidikan bahasa Indonesia selama beberapa jam saja. Pada saat itupun bahasa yang digunakan siswa di sekolah merupakan bahasa pergaulan sehari-hari. Karena itu, peran orang tua dalam pendidikan berbahasa sangat diharapkan. Dalam keluarga, jika seorang anak telah dibiasakan berbahasa Indonesia dengan baik dan benar di rumah, maka anak tersebut akan menerapkan juga di lingkungan. Penggunaan bahasa “gaul” akan menjadi sebuah variasi tersendiri jika hanya sesekali waktu. Lain halnya jika digunakan terus menerus tanpa mengenal situasi dan kondisi lingkungan, serta lawan bicaranya. Seperti yang telah kita tahu bahwa Indonesia merupakan Negara yang mengedepankan tata karma, unggah-ungguh, dan sopan santun. Hal itu berlaku pula dalam berbicara, dan generasi muda seharusnya diberi pengertian dan pendidikan berbahasa sejak dini.

Jika dilihat langsung ke penggunanya, banyak penduduk di Indonesia yang lebih senang menggunakan bahasa ibu atau biasanya merupakan bahasa daerah tempat tinggalnya dalam berkomunikasi sehari-hari. Bahasa daerah juga merupakan sebuah variasi tersendiri untuk ragam bahasa di Indonesia yang juga perlu dilestarikan. Seorang anak dapat dengan mudah belajar bahasa daerah melalui pergaulan mereka sehari-hari di lingkungan sekitar. Namun, sekali lagi, peran orang tua dalam keluarga juga penting, untuk menghindari penerapan bahasa yang tidak sesuai. Terkadang, karena terbiasa menggunakan bahasa sehari-hari dengan teman sebayanya, baik itu bahasa daerah maupun Indonesia, anak-anak pun menggunakan bahasa tersebut untuk berkomunikasi dengan orang lain yang belum dikenal, ataupun yang lebih tua. Tentu saja hal ini bertentangan dengan norma-norma kesopanan di Indonesia. dan yang perlu di garis bawahi mengenai peran orang tua yaitu, jangan sampai orang tua membawa kosakata-kosakata yang kurang sopan dan tidak pantas ke rumah. Hal itu akan sangat berpengaruh terhadap pendidikan berbahasa anak-anak. Selain membawa pengaruh buruk, anak-anak pun dapat berpikir bahwa orang tua mereka hanya bisa melarang, bukan mendidik dan memberi contoh yang baik dalam berbahasa.

Tanpa mengesampingkan bahasa daerah, bahasa Indonesia hingga kini menjadi perisai pemersatu yang belum pernah dijadikan sumber permasalahan oleh masyarakat pemakainya yang berasal dari berbagai ragam suku dan daerah. Hal ini dapat terjadi, karena bahasa Indonesia dapat menempatkan dirinya sebagai sarana komunikasi efektif, berdampingan dan bersama-sama dengan bahasa daerah yang ada di Nusantara dalam mengembangkan dan melancarkan berbagai aspek kehidupan dan kebudayaan, termasuk pengembangan bahasa-bahasa daerah. Diharapkan pendidikan berbahasa yang baik akan menunjang dan melestarikan penggunaannya di masyarakat.