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Imagining Modern Indonesia via Autobiography

Susan Rodgers

in Telling Lives, Telling History: Autobiography and Historical Imagination in Modern Indonesia

This book presents English translations of two childhood memoirs from Sumatra, Indonesia: P. Pospos's Aku dan Toba: Tjatatan dari Masa Kanak-Kanak (Me and Toba: Notes from Childhood Times) and ... More

This book presents English translations of two childhood memoirs from Sumatra, Indonesia: P. Pospos's Aku dan Toba: Tjatatan dari Masa Kanak-Kanak (Me and Toba: Notes from Childhood Times) and Muhamad Radjab's Semasa Kecil di Kampung (Village Childhood). It explores the role of autobiography in Indonesian and Malay historical traditions. This chapter explains that interpenetration of autobiographical memory and public history appears to be particularly acute for Indonesians who were born during the first two and three decades of the twentieth century.Less

Me and Toha

Susan Rodgers

in Telling Lives, Telling History: Autobiography and Historical Imagination in Modern Indonesia

This chapter presents the English translation of P. Pospos's childhood memoirs Aku dan Toba: Tjatatan dari Masa Kanak-Kanak. The twenty-four chapters of these memoirs relate the author's experience ... More

This chapter presents the English translation of P. Pospos's childhood memoirs Aku dan Toba: Tjatatan dari Masa Kanak-Kanak. The twenty-four chapters of these memoirs relate the author's experience in growing up in Toba, Sumatra, and discuss his observations about village traditions and the governance of the Dutch colonial government. The memoirs criticize various aspects of village life and shares the author's vision for future Toba.Less

The Treasures of Asia

Rudolph J. Vecoli and Francesco Durante

Donna R. Gabaccia (ed.)

in Oh Capitano!: Celso Cesare Moreno - Adventurer, Cheater, and Scoundrel on Four Continents

This chapter chronicles Celso Cesare Moreno's exploits in Asia, beginning with his decision to take to the sea like other Italian missionaries, explorers, and traders before him, such as Marco Polo ... More

This chapter chronicles Celso Cesare Moreno's exploits in Asia, beginning with his decision to take to the sea like other Italian missionaries, explorers, and traders before him, such as Marco Polo and Vasco da Gama. Moreno's initial zone of activity was the Mediterranean, but he later made his way to the Cape of Good Hope, the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea, and finally, India. Arriving in Calcutta in June 1859, Moreno became entangled in a bitter dispute with Giovanni Casella, a successful merchant, and Father Vincenzo Bruno, a missionary. The chapter also considers Moreno's role in the Sepoy Mutiny during his time in India; his “discovery” of Sumatra; his sojourn in China, where he became involved in the Taiping Rebellion; his failed attempt to convince the Italian government to establish a colony in Sumatra; his efforts to sell Sumatra to Napoleon III; and his travel to Indochina to explore scantly known regions, among other objectives.Less

The Challenge of the Pacific

Rudolph J. Vecoli and Francesco Durante

Donna R. Gabaccia (ed.)

in Oh Capitano!: Celso Cesare Moreno - Adventurer, Cheater, and Scoundrel on Four Continents

This chapter focuses on Celso Cesare Moreno's failed Pulau Weh project during his voyage to North America that commenced in 1868. It first considers the various reactions to Moreno's presence in ... More

This chapter focuses on Celso Cesare Moreno's failed Pulau Weh project during his voyage to North America that commenced in 1868. It first considers the various reactions to Moreno's presence in America before discussing his efforts to sell Pulau Weh, an island off the northeast coast of Sumatra for which he claimed ownership, to the U.S. government. It then examines Moreno's 1869 publication of the pamphlet American Interests in Asia in which he cast Asia and most of the ethnic groups there—particularly the Chinese—in a positive light. It also describes Moreno's attempt to engage America in the economic development of China and his proposed transpacific submarine cable between America and Asia. Finally, it explains why Moreno was unable to realize his two objectives: the sale of his Pacific island or the construction of the transpacific cable.Less

Nonadaptive Systems: 2001 Bhuj, Gujarat, India, Earthquake; 2004 Sumatra, Indonesia, Earthquake/Tsunami; And 2010 Haïti Earthquake Response Systems

Louise K. Comfort

in The Dynamics of Risk: Changing Technologies and Collective Action in Seismic Events

This chapter outlines the findings and analysis for nonadaptive systems. Specifically, it looks at the three nonadaptive seismic response systems developed following the 2001 Bhuj, Gujarat, India, ... More

This chapter outlines the findings and analysis for nonadaptive systems. Specifically, it looks at the three nonadaptive seismic response systems developed following the 2001 Bhuj, Gujarat, India, earthquake; the 2004 Sumatra, Indonesia, earthquake; and the 2010 Haïti earthquake. In practice, each system adapted to the shattered context in which it was operating to some extent. Indeed, some adjustments were made, but none altered the operational environment substantially. In Gujarat, the shadow of hostility with neighboring Pakistan curbed the flow of information between jurisdictional levels to support rapid response and recovery. In Sumatra, the earthquake and tsunami led to the resolution of the long-standing civil conflict with the Free Aceh movement, a very positive outcome, but the organizational networks and communications channels among national, provincial, city, and district jurisdictions that had been ruptured for decades needed to be rebuilt. In Haïti, the existing government was overwhelmed by the enormous tasks confronting the small nation, which, in most cases, involved full-scale redesign and development. In each case, the international community gave generously in humanitarian assistance to meet the immediate needs of the affected populations, but the local capacity to carry out the longer-term tasks needed to be developed.Less

Ground Work: Legalization and Land Struggles in North Sumatra

Christian Lund

in Nine-Tenths of the Law: Enduring Dispossession In Indonesia

This chapter examines the longue durée reproduction of the material agrarian structure and the violently and radically changing political regimes. It operates at two levels. First, on the large scale ... More

This chapter examines the longue durée reproduction of the material agrarian structure and the violently and radically changing political regimes. It operates at two levels. First, on the large scale of time and space, the chapter shows how the political contexts over time have supported and undermined various land claims at different junctures — from the first Dutch land acquisition in the 1860s in North Sumatra through Japanese occupation, social revolution, “guided democracy,” the “New Order,” and reformasi. It also demonstrates how the patterns of claims and counterclaims, acquisitions and evictions, occupations and retreats, have emerged. Second, the chapter provides a detailed analysis of a single, emblematic, enduring conflict. The local case shows how legalization, in connection with the other nine-tenths of the law, allowed plantation agriculture to hold off smallholder challenges for decades. Some claims in this land struggle challenged the status quo, but proved to be ephemeral and short-lived. Other claims, however, reproduced effectively. They hardened and institutionalized, propped up by statutory law, regulation, force, and other practices.Less

At Sea: The Pilgrim Sails for the Holy Land

Donald S. Lopez Jr.

in Hyecho's Journey: The World of Buddhism

This chapter describes sea travel by Buddhist monks, such as Hyecho’s journey from China to India, stopping in Sumatra and its kingdom of Śrīvijaya along the way. Because of their close association ... More

This chapter describes sea travel by Buddhist monks, such as Hyecho’s journey from China to India, stopping in Sumatra and its kingdom of Śrīvijaya along the way. Because of their close association with the merchant class, Buddhist monks traveled widely, with many stories told about adventures at sea and miraculous rescues from shipwrecks and sea monsters. Several of those stories, from both India and China, are recounted here. The chapter includes two works of art, a statue of the Medicine Buddha (Bhaiṣajyaguru) and sculpted head of the Buddha from Java.Less

Malayu Antecedents

Leonard Y. Andaya

in Leaves of the Same Tree: Trade and Ethnicity in the Straits of Melaka

This chapter discusses how the Malayu were one of the earliest and most influential groups in the Straits of Melaka. As an ethnonym, “Malayu” initially referred to the communities living in southeast ... More

This chapter discusses how the Malayu were one of the earliest and most influential groups in the Straits of Melaka. As an ethnonym, “Malayu” initially referred to the communities living in southeast Sumatra and later came to include those settled along both coasts and in the central and northern interior areas of the island. However, most studies overlook an emerging culture in the northern portion of the Straits of Melaka that formed the antecedents of Malayu culture. The settlements in northern Sumatra and in the Isthmus of Kra and the Malay Peninsula were part of an extensive network of communities, named the “Sea of Malayu.” The chapter explores this exchange network, depicting how the long and profitable interaction within this common “sea” produced a shared cultural idiom that helped shape Malayu identity.Less

Connections across Sumatra

Margaret Kartomi

in Musical Journeys in Sumatra

This concluding chapter highlights some of the connections between the traditional styles and genres of the performing arts across Sumatra, paying attention to the impact of indigenous religions and ... More

This concluding chapter highlights some of the connections between the traditional styles and genres of the performing arts across Sumatra, paying attention to the impact of indigenous religions and Islam as well as classification of the musical instruments and ensembles. It also considers how the musical arts are linked to myths and legends, and how myths and art forms are related to indigenous religious beliefs. Finally, it discusses Hindu myths and art forms; Muslim-associated myths and legends and art forms; Chinese myths and art forms; dances and music-dance relationships; connections between the performing arts in Sumatra's Malay subgroups and social classes; gender factors; signal items of Sumatran identity and local uniqueness; and major changes in the performing arts since around 1900. The chapter suggests that more research into the whole of greater Sumatra is needed in order to elucidate the extent to which an understanding of these connections can contribute to a concept of Sumatra's performing arts as a unified whole.Less

Sumatra’s Performing Arts, Groups, and Subgroups

Margaret Kartomi

in Musical Journeys in Sumatra

This book examines the traditional musical arts of Sumatra, with particular emphasis on the ethnographic, cultural, and historical contexts of the performing arts that contain music as well as some ... More

This book examines the traditional musical arts of Sumatra, with particular emphasis on the ethnographic, cultural, and historical contexts of the performing arts that contain music as well as some of the changes in their style, content, and reception from 1971 when the author began her field travels. The musical arts, or performing arts containing music, include the vocal, instrumental, and body percussive music, the dance and other body movement, the art of self-defense, the bardic arts, and the musical theater performed at domestic ceremonies. The book considers the musico-lingual groups and subgroups of Sumatra—population groups and subgroups that are primarily distinguished from one another on the basis of the lingual attributes of their vocal-musical genres (including songs, ritual/religious chanting, song-dances, and intoned theatrical monologues or exchanges). This chapter provides an overview of some of the major themes that recur throughout the book—identity, rituals and ceremonies, religion, the impact of foreign contact on the performing arts, the musical instruments and pitch variability, the dances and music-dance relationships, social class, gender issues, and arts education.Less

South Sumatra: “The Realm of Many Rivers”

Margaret Kartomi

in Musical Journeys in Sumatra

This chapter examines the historical distribution of two musico-lingual groups living in South Sumatra: the Besemah in Tanjungsakti and Kayuagung, and the Ogan-Komering Ilir (OKI) people in Burai. ... More

This chapter examines the historical distribution of two musico-lingual groups living in South Sumatra: the Besemah in Tanjungsakti and Kayuagung, and the Ogan-Komering Ilir (OKI) people in Burai. South Sumatra's network of rivers and tributaries—known as the Batang Hari Sembilan—has governed its peoples' travels, worldviews, adat, legends, and musical arts for well over 2,000 years. This chapter explores how South Sumatra's environment and associated cosmology, adat customs, and the history of religion and foreign contact have shaped its musico-lingual groups and music, dance, and theater more generally. It first considers the Besemah's bardic legends and their classical and social dances and ensemble music, vocal music, and solo instrumental music before turning to the Anak Dalem people. It also describes the Ogan-Komering Ilir (OKI) river basins, the dance called tari tanggai, Palembang, and musical arts with a Muslim theme or flavor in the uplands and lowlands.Less

The Wartime Creation of “Gending Sriwijaya”: From Banned Song to South Sumatran Symbol

Margaret Kartomi

in Musical Journeys in Sumatra

This chapter examines South Sumatra's official musical symbol, “Gending Sriwijaya,” a single song-dance created in 1945 and was first performed with its accompanying dance “Tari Gending Sriwijaya” as ... More

This chapter examines South Sumatra's official musical symbol, “Gending Sriwijaya,” a single song-dance created in 1945 and was first performed with its accompanying dance “Tari Gending Sriwijaya” as an ironic joke at the expense of the Japanese invaders, but was actually intended to serve the cause of the Indonesian independence movement. The chapter begins with a discussion of the wartime politics behind the first performance of “Tari Gending Sriwijaya” on August 4, 1945. It then considers how “Gending Sriwijaya” evolved from a provincial symbol to an Indonesian regional song after the war of independence (1945–1949). It also describes the development of the “Gending Sriwijaya” dance into a new, more elaborate and theatrical version called “Tari Penguton,” as well as Ibu Erna Nun Tjik Aladin's life experience and ideas about South Sumatran dance in terms of their significance to her versions of “Tari Gending Sriwijaya” and “Tari Penguton.”Less

The Island of Bangka

Margaret Kartomi

in Musical Journeys in Sumatra

This chapter focuses on the performing arts of four main musico-lingual groups in Bangka, South Sumatra: the Malays, the Suku Lom forest-dwellers, the Suku Sekak sea-boat-dwellers, and the Chinese ... More

This chapter focuses on the performing arts of four main musico-lingual groups in Bangka, South Sumatra: the Malays, the Suku Lom forest-dwellers, the Suku Sekak sea-boat-dwellers, and the Chinese Indonesians. According to some performing artists and community elders, today's Malay people are descendants of former Bangka Malay chiefdoms, while the Suku Mapur or Suku Lom people are animists who prefer to live in relative isolation in the forests. The Suku Sekak people are also animists who prefer to live in boats at sea when the weather permits. The Bangka Malays, the Suku Lom, and the Suku Sekak speak varieties of Malay, while the Chinese Indonesians normally speak varieties of Hakka or Hokkien in addition to Malay. To understand how Bangka's four musico-lingual subgroups came into being as well as their musical arts, the chapter examines the history of foreign exploitation of their tin and cash crops by the sultans of Palembang (seventeenth–eighteenth centuries), Britain (1812–1816), Holland (ca. 1817–World War II), and Indonesia (1949 to present).Less

The Village and the Marketplace: The Moral Structure of a Minangkabau City

Gregory M. Simon

in Caged in on the Outside: Moral Subjectivity, Selfhood, and Islam in Minangkabau, Indonesia

The particular economic, religious, and political history of Minangkabau society in West Sumatra has fueled a moral tension between autonomy and social integration. Minangkabau society, and the city ... More

The particular economic, religious, and political history of Minangkabau society in West Sumatra has fueled a moral tension between autonomy and social integration. Minangkabau society, and the city of Bukittinggi, developed in the image of an Islamic trading society, forged during the social disruption and rapid expansion of trade that accompanied colonial intrusion. In this context, Islam was embraced as a unifying moral framework desperately needed in a fracturing society, but also as one that legitimized individual endeavor. With a social structure rooted in village and neighborhood kinship ties, and an economy emphasizing the competitive marketplace, the resulting moral tensions have carried into subsequent eras of Indonesian statehood, the New Order regime, and the period of reformasi. An overview of daily life in Bukttinggi also reveals these tensions as manifest in a conceptual division of the city—moral as much as geographic—into “the village” (kampuang) and “the marketplace” (pasa).Less

Epilogue

Su Fang Ng

in Alexander the Great from Britain to Southeast Asia: Peripheral Empires in the Global Renaissance

This Epilogue narrates an incident in which the Islamic Alexander became a rallying cry for the anti-kafir (infidel) movement in Sumatra. It considers how Ahmad Shah bin Iskandar, a claimant to ... More

This Epilogue narrates an incident in which the Islamic Alexander became a rallying cry for the anti-kafir (infidel) movement in Sumatra. It considers how Ahmad Shah bin Iskandar, a claimant to Sumatra’s Minangkabau throne in Palembang, professed the status of a saint to wage holy war against the Dutch, and turned to the legend of Alexander the Great to inspire his resistance. As a leader of the anti-kafir movement, Ahmad Shah garnered support from various chiefs in the region and sought to build an archipelagic alliance. An analysis of Ahmad Shah’s uses of the Alexander legend reveals how the Alexander Romance was turned to religiously motived politics in European encounters with Southeast Asia. Ahmad Shah’s exegesis of Iskandar Zulkarnain’s name emphasizes the latter’s dual role as king and prophet, and in laying claim to an Alexandrian descent of Palembang provenance, Ahmad Shah pretended to sacral kingship.Less