Celebration of Nusantara Cultures / Gelar Budaya Nusantara 2012
“Nusantara Cultures Food-crops Rituals”
27 to 29 October 2012
Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Jakarta

In the beginning, Indonesia was a spirit of togetherness. On 28 October 1928, young people from different regions pledged themselves to unite. Indonesia was the form that they chose, with full awareness that they each had differences – not only differences in geographic origins, but also in cultural roots.

However, now, more than eight decades later, this spirit of togetherness is no longer felt. Differences that truly underlie Indonesia in fact are now seen as something strange, old-fashioned, even in many cases disturbing. Cultural attacksfrom outside, often ridden with hidden interests, are raging and making the Indonesian culture that is so rich in noble values, erode and slowly disappear. We are no longer the host in our own country.

This is the main reason that the Ministry of Education and Culture initiated this event with the topic of Gelar Budaya Nusantara to be held on 27, 28, 29 October 2012 at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah. With the idea source of reviving customary societies’ education systems to be cultured toward the nowadays. As we know, these customary societies’ education systems gave birth to monumental creative works that are acknowledged by the world, such as batik, wayang kulit, keris / swords, dances, architecture among others. Also, this Gelar Budaya Nusantara will not merely present their existence, but also that they actually ‘have’ and ‘can’ – which will be used as a site of fellowship for replanting a feeling of mutual cooperation among customary societies across the Nusantara to develop Indonesian-ness.

By involving academics, culture specialists, artists and practitioners, this program intends to be a reminder that the cultures that formed Indonesia are actually so full of traditional knowledge as well as artistic expression that must be maintained as part of the nation’s heritage. Not just as a label, but understood as the source of life for the growth of Indonesian culture.

The theme of this first Gelar Budaya Nusantara is “Nusantara Cultures Food-crops Rituals”. The choice of this theme is very much related to Indonesia’s macro condition, which is still far from food self-sufficiency. Yet, actually, in many regions that are still thick with a culture of respect for crops and harvests – there has never been a term ‘food shortage’.

This event will feature food-related ceremonies by eight customary communities from Kasepuhan Cisitu and Cisungsang – Banten; Paninjauan – West Sumatera; Tutup Ngisor – Mt. Merapi, Central Java; Dayak Kayan Bahau – East Kalimantan; Osing Banyuwangi – East Java; Manggarai – East Nusa Tenggara; and Ngata Toro – Central Sulawesi. These eight communities will conduct ceremonies in a rice field-shaped art installation built around the Tugu Api Pancasila Monument.

In addition to presenting rites made to resemble their original context as closely as possible, Gelar Budaya Nusantara will also present a variety of traditional art forms from various regions in Indonesia, food rituals from various friend countries (Philippines, Mexico, U.S.A. and Venezuela), pasamuan (discussion), as well as workshops and a photography contest that may be attended by all levels of society. It is planned that Gelar Budaya Nusantara will be convened in a different place in Indonesia annually.

Gelar Budaya Nusantara 2012 will be held in the area of the Tugu Api Pancasila monument and area of the Museum Indonesia at the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah cultural park in Jakarta.

SATURDAY, 27 OCTOBER 2012

11.00–11.30
Nusantara Food-Crops Prayer
accompanying the Opening of Gelar Budaya Nusantara

by the Director of Guidance for the Arts and Film
with Customary Societies Leaders

11.30–13.30
Food-crop Ritual from Manggarai – East Nusa Tenggara

13.30–15.30
Food-crop Ritual from Dayak Kayan Bahau – East Kalimantan

15.30–16.00
Kirab Gelar Budaya Nusantara

16.00–16.30
Customary ritual procession by Seren Taun Elders of Cisungsang – Banten

16.30–16.40
Scattering Seeds in the Nusantara Earth procession together with leading customary figures, government leaders and the entire community

16.40–17.00
Topeng mask-dance Purification

17.00–17.10

Hopes for Gelar Budaya Nusantara

by Dr. Wiendu Nuryanti (Deputy Minister for Culture, Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture)

17.10–17.20
Praying and Greeting the Nature for World Harmony and Peace by religious and societal leaders

17.20–17.30
Closing with Hudoq arts (Kalimantan) accompanied by Angklung Paglag (Osing, Banyuwangi) and Calung Renteng (Banten, Kidul)

19.30–22.00
Artistic Performances
• Ritual for the Corn, Mexico
• Universitas Mercu Buana Choir, Jakarta
• Tembang Pribumi ethnic music group, Jakarta
• “Human Nature Time”, United States
• Vocal Arts from Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara

22.00 until dawn
Wayang Golek Menak from Indramayu, West Java

SUNDAY, 28 OCTOBER 2012

11.00–13.00
Food-crop Ritual from Paninjauan – West Sumatra

13.00–15.00
Food-crop Ritual from Tutup Ngisor – Mt. Merapi, Central Java

15.30–17.30 at the Museum Indonesia
Pasamuan (discussion among customary communities and practitioners from various fields) with the theme of “How can the Wisdom of Customary Societies’ Face the Challenges of Food Culture Changes”

19.30–22.00
Artistic Performances:
• Music and Dance Collaboration of Indonesia and the Philippines
• “Kuno Kini” ethnic music group, Jakarta
• Minang Randai arts from West Sumatra
• “Pring Sedhapur” Calung music group, Banyumas

22.00 until dawn
Wayang Kulit Purwo with the Sudha Mala story

MONDAY, 29 OCTOBER 2012

09.00–11.00
Food-crop Ritual from Ngata Toro – Central Sulawesi

11.00–13.00
Food-crop Ritual from the Osing of Banyuwangi – East Java

13.00–15.00
Food-crop Ritual from the Kasepuhan Cisitu – Banten

15.00–17.30 at the Museum Indonesia
Pasamuan (discussion among customary communities and culture specialists reflecting on Indonesia’s condition now related to the issue of food) with the theme “Nusantara Food Culture”

19.30–22.00
Closing of Gelar Budaya Nusantara by Drs. Sulistyo S. Tirto Kusumo
(Chairperson of the program)

Artistic Performances:
• Food Ritual from Venezuela
• Tokesi music and dance from East Nusa Tenggara
• Angklung music from Banten
• Rego arts from Central Sulawesi
• Wayang Kampung Sebelah

CONCEIVED BY:
Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture
Suprapto Suryodarmo
Rizaldi Siagian
Nano Riantiarno
Sari Madjid
M. Cahyo Novianto

INFORMATION:
Ms. Devy Sukowardhani - Media Relations
SEKRETARIAT GELAR BUDAYA NUSANTARA 2012
Jl. Cisanggiri II No. 8 – Kebayoran Baru
Jakarta 12170 Indonesia
Tel: +62 217222192
Fax: +62 217222194
Mobile: +6281335080078
info@gelarbudayanusantara.com
www.gelarbudayanusantara.com