September 27, 2002
It is not Only Indonesian Myth
Tired of being read any news about terorism, i glad to let you know about another thing of Indonesia. It's a little part, but, (in my opinion) it seem had a great part to shape the thinking of any Indonesian ever after. It's about Indonesian myths.Surely, if you had read more articles about Indonesia, whatever it does, i guess you would be noticed about a thing that plenty clear of somewhat connected to a myths. Wherever, whatever, and whenever of you're talking about. It's never been measured though, but i really sure that anywhere you take you fingers pointing to Indonesian spot, they must be have a myths. Like how that place happened, how the people could talk in their recent language, etc. It's really beautiful to explore, and we had a beautiful thinking at all. So, i really ever been surprised if the outsider seemly looking Indonesian is uncivilised people. But we really don't (surely cause I Indonesian).
An example to be taken is a myth about Arok - Dedes. I had re-read a Pramoedya Ananta Toer's novel titled by the same word, Arok Dedes, which has a part of stories of a myth. To shortly write, the myth told a story about Arok, an ordinary guy who convinced himself to take a role (and proved) to be a new Akuwu (district leader) by killing its former leader. The role of the myth (excluding its fact stories) is about the Keris which used by Arok in his coup de 'etat. The Keris, created by Mpu Gandring, a blacksmith that also has been killed by Arok, ever he has been cursed the Keris before his death. The Keris next greatly did the job by killed all seven soul (as written at the verses cursed by its creator before dead). The question come to mind is, which is comes first, is it the curse or the killing then the story about this cursed sword (keris)?
The main focus is, Indonesian (in my humble thought), is a very great imaginator. Another word to say, Indonesian is very creative people. Even by lack of tools and applications, they geniously could create another way to solve the problem (generally). That is why, it still believed (it really not a myth) that only armed with elbowed bamboo, the patriots bravely fight with European riffleman in pre-freedom fighting. What a desperate stories huh? But it's really, it's not a myth anymore.
Posted at September 27, 2002 03:39 AM | Indonesia
