Rimbun Daha

Just returned from Rimbun Daha (www.rimbundahan.org), a private arts centre located about an hour outside of KL, which is also the home of Hijjas Kasturi, one of Malaysia's most successful and respected architects. Rimbun Daha has a residency programme for visual artists, writers and dancers, and has hosted a fair number of Indonesian painters in recent years for residencies of a few weeks to a few months, including Eko Nugroho. They organise a KL exhibit or performance for their artists at the end of the residency and have purchased work from many of their artists as well.

In the 1990s Rimbun Daha also hosted Balinese gamelan musician I Wayan Rajeg and his dancer wife, who taught a community gamelan group on the premises and Balinese dance. The gamelan, a gong kebyar set, and Rajeg and his wife subsequently taught at USM, with salaries paid for by Rimbun Dahan. Rajeg left USM around 2005 and the gong kebyar was returned to Rimbun Dahan. It is currently sitting unused in the property. Angela Hijjas says she is keen for it to find a new home in Malaysia, where it can be used for teaching. Any takers?

Fatwa banning kuda kepang in Johor

Kuda Kepang, the horse trance dance, is today the most significant performing art associated with Javanese and people of Javanese descent living in Malaysia. There is no official count of Javanese in Malaysia, but most scholars agree that it is the largest population outside Indonesia, numbering several million perhaps. Most of the majority Javanese kampung (rural communities, hamlets) are to be found in the state of Johor, where there are also many migrant Indonesians working kelapa sawit plantations.

I learned earlier this month from a colleague teaching in Johor that the state of Johor has issued a fatwa banning all Muslims from 'being involved' with the performance of Kuda Kepang. A google search confirms this.

The fatwa (http://www.e-fatwa.gov.my/mufti/fatwa_search_result.asp?keyID=2140) state that kuda kepang is haram (forbidden) as it runs against Islam. The fatwa's 'explanation' or keterangan (http://www.e-fatwa.gov.my/mufti/fatwa_warta_hujah_view.asp?KeyIDv=2140) indicates that this is due to performers using non-Islamic magical formulae (jampi), being possessed by jin, going into trance (mabuk, the same word used for being drunk) and also cites as well audience behaviour, including not wearing red clothing.

Similar fatwa issued in the past in the northern state of Kelantan banned Muslims from performing or watching wayang kulit, mak yong and other traditional arts. These bans seem now no longer to be in place. A series of wayang kulit performances I attended at the Gelanggang Seni cultural centre in Kota Bharu attracted a mostly local audience.

So far, there has been very little attention paid to the kuda kepang fatwa. One blogger points to a TV9 television show broadcasting a local carnival with kuda kepang post-fatwa (http://pemudabukitkatil.blogspot.com/2009/07/tarian-kuda-kepang-haram-tetapi.html).

A kuda kepang troupe leader I spoke to said that the fatwa doesn't concern him - he believes that what he is doing is consistent with Islam, performing an art form introduced by the wali sanga that led to the conversion of millions of Javanese.

However, the fatwa has meant that all instruction of and about kuda kepang has ceased in Johor schools and universities. The future of the art form here in Malaysia is uncertain.

Gema Merdeka: Muzikal Tun Abdul Razak

Another slightly off topic post. This time on Gema Merdeka: Muzikal Tun Abdul Razak, which I saw at Istana Budaya, Malaysia's national theatre, on the last night of a 5 day run (20 August).

This was an ASWARA musical production, featuring mostly students from this ministry-run arts academy, but buttressed by some Malaysian pop stars, with professional direction and choreography and a pop score by Ruslan Mohd Imam. With funding from the 1Malaysia government initiative, this was as much a bio of politician Tun Abdul Razak (1922-1976) as a piece of government propaganda about the necessary rise of Barisan Nasional in the wake of the 1969 race riots.

Indonesia features in two scenes. One scene represents Konfrontasi: paratroupers are seen descending from the sky in a video backdrop as soldiers do dance manouvers in front. In a second, Tun mediates a post-konfrontasi treaty between Indonesia and Malaysia. All the Indonesians are dressed in batik-- batik skirts, pants, shirts, head coverings-- and the women take on stereotypical Javanese dance postures.

More interesting perhaps is the use of the gamelan. The orchestra features a full Terengganu style gamelan (kendang, gong, saron, peking, penerus, gambang, and 2 kromong) which plays at the opening. Thereafter the gamelan comes in occasionally as ethnic 'colour' in conjunction with other instruments. Orchestration of the gamelan is very simple - mostly all the instruments play in unison. Repeated gong strokes also features in one moment of the musical to illustrate a sense of urgency. Gamelan is of course part of the ASWARA curriculum and was elevated to a national Malaysian art form in the 1970s. But it has no real connection with Tun's life and times. I wonder what dramatic function gamelan take on in this musical. Clearly it is NOT to signal Indonesia....

The Keris history - the result of art and culture from the Nation of Indonesia

Museum functions including collecting, treating and expose the evidence of cultural and natural relics in order to promote sustainable and beneficial to human civilization.

Keris Name as a result of cultural nation that typical, and also appear enriched museums as a collection of objects.

Background
Keris, also often called duwung, suspicious or tosan charm. Keris function changes, as a weapon and then have become sacred objects, inheritance, which glorified, the symbol of family ties, service marks, badge or department, then as the last item of art and souvenirs.

Each region has figured a special kris. For example, Java with the size of the keris are short and round; Keris Bali with ornaments and gay stranglehold gems from the human form; Keris Madura with pendok berhiaskan mask; kris Sumatra with the handle of a bird-shaped; Keris with the grip shaped Sulawesi sea birds and at the end gandarnya there is a connection.

History
Regional distribution of the keris mesh with the existenceof kingdoms in the past, especially in the kingdoms of Java. This can be dititi from history, horoscope, and the book of genealogy as follows. Master perekayasa kris as a specialist, has a history past. Master of life in most any environment and the palace under the supervision of the palace, thus making the keris as a cultural palace said.


Keris can be classified in accordance with the produce, such as the following:

1. Period purwacarita
At this time, other than Mpu Gandring great Singasari in history, also appear Mpu Ramayadi that make kris Pasepati.

2. Period Pajajaran
According to history, this is the beginning of the light. At this time there is the famous master Mpu Keleng that make kris Kyai teat.

3. Indonesian
In the chronicle referred to as Donegal, which produces kris kitchen and straight into the grip of the wilahan. Master of the famous at the time this is Mpu Ki Supa Mandrangi (Prince to me).

4. The period of Demak
This is the development of Islam in Java, so many kris ordered by the guardian. Master of the time this is the descendants of the Majapahit. For example Mpu Ki sKROP Growah son Prince to me, that became the ancestor master-master in the Islamic kingdom next. Him brother, namely Ki jaka Supa become master appointed by the palace Demak Sunan Kalijaga, to be fortunate to make weapons as the strength of the country, which is then given the name of the keris interpersonal Belt.

5. Period Pajang
Period end of the period Demak is not showing the influence of the Majapahit. The famous master at this time, namely Mpu Ki Umyang that make kris Kanjeng Kyai Pandetan.

6. The period of Mataram
The definition of this period is the period before the agreement was held Giyanti (1755). Because of the agricultural kingdom of Mataram, namely that is not open to outside influences, the trust of the keris is very large and the history of the keris is more developed. The famous master at this time is that Kyai Anom make kris Pulanggeni and Nagasasra.

7. The period of Yogyakarta and Surakarta
Although the arts and the procedure is different from the second kingdom, but will have the color and beauty to the interests of the keris virtually the same. There is a master of the famous Palace of Surakarta, namely Ki sKROP Sukatga that make kris Kanjeng Kyai Elephant Satrubanda.

8. Period and the National Independence Movement
This is making the keris pamornya begin to decline. Although there but not on the magic, just merely complementary fashion or only as a souvenir.

Now, the keris is also often used in a traditional cultural event. Or other events in Indonesia

About Other ACEH

Located on the northem tip of Sumatera,

aceh has a diverse topography which,

combined with it,s tropical climate, makes for a

paradise of flora and fauna.

from the sea gardens of Weh island and colourful archipelago of

banyak island, to the in land mountainous lauser ecosystem, aceh

offer the disceming traveler an array of unbeatable attractions.

Sabang Beach

Sabang is a small island, this region belong to Aceh province. They laid in the northest part of Indonesia. From this island, the Republic of Indonesia has started to count from zero kilometre, and streched straight over 12.000 island to the east.

From Banda Aceh, we need to catch up the speed boat at Ulee Lhee harbour. The destination, we heading to Sabang island. Sabang or also known as Weh Island are one of the favourite destination for divers from all of the world. The wonder of Sabang not only from the beautifull landscape, buat also under the sea. So, if we have a trip here, better you packed the diving stuff: googles, fins, and also under water camera. Its a heaven at the land and under the sea. The speed boat are not bad. A large high speed vessel with capacity more than 40 passeger, fully air condition, clean, and looks like manintained well. I was see only half the totall capacity has already booked. Some of the passanger has take one seat for one person, and take a nap. Actually from Banda Aceh we also can get a shuttle ferry. If we ride a car, we better take ferry boat. Slow, but it carry people, trucks and auto mobile. I cant enough patient with a slow boat So my choice goes to high speed boat. It cut half of the totall time trip from Banda Aceh to Sabang.
After 2 hour trip accross wide sea, we see Sabang island from a distance. The sea surface was calm and we got a nice cruising under the bright morning sun. Blue sky above my head like the giant blue umberella. My eyes rolled all over watching the island. Its unpopulated island, and not really a small one. Sabang quite big i think. The size maybe a half size of Bali island. But compared with Bali, this island are less populated, really a quite island by means.

Favourite spots:

Sabang island itself offers a great scenic area. From the harbour, just prepared your camera gear. Stop a while at Aneuk Laot up hill (Aneuk Laot means: Son of the sea). The best view i think close with 15.00 at noon because the sun goes directly from right sides. If you have a chance, try to make a short tour into Aneuk Laot village. Up there we can see a large beautifull and peacefull bay loaded with bright sun.

What’s really great :

Soon we hit the Sabang harbour, and my rent-car has already take us away. From harbour, we have riding 30minutes to get into the city with slow speed. Along the trip, i ve been thinking, my god the street are so empty and quiet! I only see a few motorbike or car passing. And thats all. Where other people? The Sabang city are the only one city in this island. Small town, really. We cant see super mall here. But the town itself really nice and facing to the sea, going up the the hill. At city downtown, i started to see ‘a real life’. Motorbike everywhere, but i swear no traffic jammed. The weather are so clean. We cant get this fresh air in other populated city and Sabang offers a healty fresh air, and also a peacefull state of mind.
Sights :

Theres one famous monument in Sabang called: “Titik Nol Kilometer”. Starting from this monument, they start to count “a zero kilometre”. This point are important part to meassure how long the Republic of Indonesia when it streched from west to east over 12,000 island. Hmmm… really really long. (Java island itself measured about 1500 km from west to east)

Accommodations:

Sabang offers smal and cheap hostel. There’s five and more hostel, placed arround the city downtown. Rate only $US 3 until $US 10/ night. Because it cheap, so dont expected more of luxury. No restaurant, no telephone cable connected to the room, and no 24hours room service, just help yourself.
But Sabang not just a buck of cheap hostel. They got a fine hotel, called: The Sabang Hill Hotel. For one night stay, they charged arround Rp.500,000 (or $us 50) to $US 100. What i like to stay here, because the location are trully great! The view from upper hill are breath taking! Very quite and a bit far from the city centre. I recommended this place because i didnt regret to stay here again.
The other best place are, GAPANG beach cottages. Located almost 15 km away from the city, really far away from civilization. The price almost the same with Sabang Hill Hotel. This cottages usually loaded with divers from all over the world.

Nightlife :

This island have discos, gogo’s club whatsoever. Even, karaokes club in public area.
This is a really good news for clubbers, dont you :-))

Restaurants :

No fancy and good restaurant. But in GAPANG beach cottages and SABANG HILL hotel, we can ordered european food.

Dont forget to try the Aceh Coffee.
Tastefull and really deliciousssss. I love it!
Acehnesse are really loves coffee. We see hundreds of kedai kopi or coffee shop, open daily, some are open 24 hour. This is a home for coffee enthusiast, like myself :-))

Other recommendations :

This note are not really a recommendations. Because i recieve so many question about tsunami, so i need to put short notes here.

Sabang city were free from giant waves when tsunami strike at Decembre last year. The other part of the island were hit bad, but that area was absolutely unpopulated. So no people die, and no damage building. Thank God.

Bandung : this is where we start

First of all, i would thank Allah for giving me this opportunity. And all of my friends who encourage me, giving me many ideas and comments, whether it's good or bad. I appreciate that. Right now, I'm still building this blog alone, but in the future, sooner maybe, i hope that helps will come to me. Because i don't think i can handle this blog alone.hahaha.. :)

Ok. By now, you might be wondering, "what the hell is this blog? what's on it?" hahaha. This blog is about Bandung. The capital of West Java, Indonesia. Maybe many of you have heard Bandung. what's it's like, or what's on Bandung. But maybe some other don't really know what's Bandung like, things that you can find in Bandung. And maybe that's because you don't have enough information about it. so here i am, writing this blog, just for you, provide you everything you should know about Bandung