Indonesia is rich in intangible cultural heritage (ICH). Nusantara oral tradition as one of the manifestations of ICH is a product of culture associated with life and owner of life. Nusantara oral tradition is a source of policy and a tool to build a pluralistic culture.
This was said by UGM anthropologist, Prof. Dr. Heddy Shri Ahimsa Putra, M. Phil., Thursday (15/10), on UGM campus in connection with the plan to hold the “Nusantara Oral Tradition†seminar and the leather puppet performance on Monday and Tuesday.
According to Heddy, so far the efforts to increase appreciation of this oral tradition have not been made to the optimum. In making policy, the government should also give support for the intangible cultural heritage in order that this type of cultural heritage has a place to live. The academic community has not contributed many ideas and findings that can be used as a pilot-project as well as a reference for government's policies.
One way to raise the image of the Archipelago's oral tradition is to bridge people's understanding of this tradition. For this purpose, the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UGM will hold a shadow puppet show entitled "Rama Tambak ", which will be spontaneously translated into English. Performances will be held on Monday, October 19, 2009, between 19.00-24.00 at FIB, UGM. Kathryn Emerson from the Jakarta International School will be the translator for the whole event.
The next day, Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 09.00 am, the "Imaging the Oral Tradition" seminar will be held at FIB Auditorium, UGM. The seminar will present Prof. Dr. Heddy Shri Ahimsa Putra, M. Phil., Prof. Paula Richman, Ph.D. (Department of History - Oberlin College, Ohio, USA), and Prof.Dr. Timbul Haryono, M.Sc. (The Head of Performing and Fine Arts Department, Graduate School of UGM).