Just heard from Institute for International Education (IIE) that my Fulbright application has finally been approved. That means I will be heading to Indonesia this August for a year. Yes, I am psyched! For the first time in 13 years I'll be spending winter in the tropics, and also for the first time since 2000 I'll be in Malaysia for the first day of Idul-fitri. I'm not sure yet where I'll be based in Indo but most likely I'll be in either Java or Sumatra. So people, do feel free to visit me in Indo if you get the chance. I'll take you putar-putar and give you a personal guide to all this enchanted land has to offer.
I am feeling more affinity toward Indonesia as I bury myself deeper into its politics, culture, and history. It's one thing to objectively study the country as a purely academic pursuit, but it's another to fully immerse oneself in every facets of its life. But then the line between the two has always been blurred and one cannot adequately study a country without being profoundly passionate about it. For the past several years I have found myself absorbing more and more of Indonesian culture, namely speaking the language, playing gamelan, and having a much deeper appreciation for its illustrious yet tumultous socio-political history.
A cursory read of Indonesian history is enough to explain why Indonesians are in general very nationalistic and have deep-abiding love for their country. I know this is a sweeping statement to make without much empirical evidence, but then this is just my impression. Being from Malaysia, I do envy this ardent spirit of Indo nationalism since the much touted "Bangsa Malaysia" project is nothing but just empty sloganeering. For basic illustration simply compare the two countries' national anthem and see which one moves you. By the way, this only applies to Malaysians who know the lyrics to Negaraku, and FYI, I do memorize the lyrics to both national anthems. Below are the lyrics to Indonesia Raya, which was composed at the height of the nationalist/anti-colonialist fervor in 1928 by WR Soepratman. Compare the egalitarian and spiritually-uplifting Indonesia Raya with the overtly royalist and melodically enfeebled Negaraku.
p/s: It helps to also have the music, and I'll try to embed one in this post when I get the chance.
Indonesia Raya
Indonesia tanah airku,
Tanah tumpah darahku.
Disanalah aku berdiri
Jadi pandu ibuku.
Indonesia kebangsaanku,
Bangsa dan Tanah Airku.
Marilah kita berseru
"Indonesia bersatu."
Hiduplah tanahku,
Hiduplah negriku,
Bangsaku, Rakyatku, semuanya.
Bangunlah jiwanya,
Bangunlah badannya
Untuk Indonesia Raya.
CHORUS:
Indonesia Raya, Merdeka, Merdeka
Tanahku, negriku yang kucinta.
Indonesia Raya, Merdeka, Merdeka
Hiduplah Indonesia Raya.
Indonesia Raya, Merdeka, Merdeka
Tanahku, negriku yang kucinta.
Indonesia Raya, Merdeka, Merdeka
Hiduplah Indonesia Raya.
4 comments:
hey congrats! i knew you'd get it. anyway, berapa lama kat indon nanti? jom gi TB sekali. haritu aku gi sorang2 sangap siot. kena ada member gak ah. nanti aku kasi full story. ahaks.
aku ada kat sana dari bulan 8 sampai hujung bulan 5 tahun depan. tak sure lagi kat mana pasal main responsibility aku mengajar english.. so depends kat mana la diaorang hantar aku tapi most likely kat jawa atau sumatra.
kau gi TB sorang2 mmg la sangap. justeru itu deh harus punyain cewek yg lagi asik ngobrol, yg lagi keren... nanti la citer kat aku..
you are on my stalk-list not because you know Indonesia Raya and call yourself setan gondrong.
Keep it up.
Juria: I'm so honored to be on your highly coveted list. What are the perks? Knowing that someone is keeping an eye on me from afar makes me feel so safe and special!!
Btw, in the spirit of reciprocity, you are also on my stalk-list.
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