UNESA Javanese Language and Literature Undergraduate Study Program students teach Malaysian students how to play gamelan.
Unesa.ac.id SURABAYA —A total of 15 students from the Bachelor of Javanese Language and Literature Education study program, Faculty of Languages and Arts (FBS), left for Malaysia to undertake a humanitarian project there. Through this program, the students held gamelan and traditional dance classes in the Land of Indigenous Malay.
Students who departed were divided into two groups. The first group will be on 2-30 October 2024 and the second group will be on 7 October-3 November 2024. All activities will be centered at the Mbah Anang Palace, a cultural center in Malaysia managed by Johar Paimin, the second generation of the founding family of the palace.
This activity not only aims to preserve Javanese art and culture, but also introduces Indonesian cultural values to the international community, especially students at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) or the International Islamic University Malaysia (UIAM).The gamelan class held during October, taught several gamelan compositions such as Lancaran Gambyong Mari Kangen, Ninggal Katresnan, Kebo Giro, Suwe Ora Jamu, Lesung Jumengglung, and Uang Gunung, which involved eight participants IIUM gamelan community.
Apart from focusing on playing techniques, UNESA students also emphasize the expression and nuance of each song to provide harmony that fits the theme. This gamelan performance was then presented at the State Silat Sukan Championship in Muar, providing a unique experience for the audience while strengthening Indonesian cultural values on the international stage.
Traditional Indonesian dance classes present remo dance and gambyong dance which are attended by students and Malaysians.
In addition, in dance classes Traditionally, UNESA students teach the remo dance from East Java and the gambyong mari kangen dance from Surakarta. Before practicing, participants are given an understanding of the background, history and names of the movements in each dance. This dance class was attended by ten participants, four men and six women, who were IIUM students.
Not only introducing Javanese culture, UNESA students also learned the Malay zapin dance guided by Siti Zubaidah, a professional dancer from Johor Bahru. For a week, they rehearsed and performed at a community wedding event in Seri Medan, showing cultural harmony between Indonesia and Malaysia.
The Javanese Language and Literature Education Undergraduate Study Program Coordinator, Latif Nur Hasan, expressed his hope that this program could developing in various regions of Malaysia in the coming years.
Meanwhile, field supervisor or DPL lecturer, Octo Dendy Andriyanto, assesses that this program has a significant impact, both for residents of Javanese descent in Malaysia and UNESA students.< /p>
"This activity opens up space for students to apply knowledge of language, literature and culture at an international level, while strengthening cultural ties between Indonesia and Malaysia," he said.
Through this humanitarian project, UNESA not only to be a cultural ambassador but also a messenger about the importance of preserving traditional art. From the Sukma tune gamelan to the Malay Zapin Dance, it symbolizes the spirit of cross-cultural collaboration that continues to live amidst differences. With this commitment, it is hoped that traditional arts and culture will remain relevant and continue to be passed on to the next generation.[*]
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Reporter: Dewanda Puspita (Internship)
Editor : @zam*
Photo: Javanese Language and Literature Education Study Program Team
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