Preserve culture, don't 'fossilize' Betawi people<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A city councilor urged the municipality
\nyesterday to rethink its strategy for conservation of the Betawi
\n(native Jakartans) culture.<\/p>\n
Soeparmo, the head of Commission E for welfare affairs, was
\nresponding to the municipality's plan to construct several
\nkampongs in a bid to maintain the Betawi culture.<\/p>\n
Under the plan, a cultural hall and other related buildings
\nwould also be built at the site in Situ Babakan, Jagakarsa, South
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
Soeparmo told The Jakarta Post there were many ways to
\nsafeguard traditions and the municipality must decide the most
\neffective method.<\/p>\n
\"What the municipality has to do now is to break down the
\naspects of Betawi culture and preserve them in a way that is
\nuseful for the present and the future.<\/p>\n
\"Many people still think that Betawi people must be protected.
\nThis is the wrong approach. What we have to cherish is their
\nculture.<\/p>\n
\"And culturally speaking, the Betawi people cannot be
\nconsidered an ethnic group. They don't fulfill the necessary
\ncriteria to be considered as such. So, what is there to preserve?<\/p>\n
\"Moreover they don't have their own language. They speak
\nBahasa Melayu with a Betawi dialect.\"<\/p>\n
Their culture, in particular their theatrical, musical and
\nliterary artistry, has also been influenced by different ethnic
\ngroups and nations, he said.<\/p>\n
\"That is why all of their works are considered folk art and
\ncan't be classified as an ethnic style,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"We have to admit that Betawi people do not have special
\nfeatures in their culture. And with the rapid development in
\nJakarta, the municipality has to be realistic in its preservation
\nplan.\"<\/p>\n
A spokeswoman for the Betawi Cultural Organization, which made
\nthe preservation proposal, Emma Agus Bisrie, said last week that
\nSitu Babakan was chosen as the prospective site because it is
\nconsidered an untouchable green area.<\/p>\n
Tourist attractions<\/p>\n
\"We are planning to build new Betawi kampongs with artistic
\nhouses and a cultural hall in the area. In the long run, this is
\nexpected to become one of the city's tourist attractions,\" she
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Governor Sutiyoso has also pledged to help protect and
\npreserve Betawi culture, she said.<\/p>\n
Soeparmo objected to the idea of constructing new Betawi
\nkampongs in the city.<\/p>\n
\"That is crazy. The conservation is intended mainly for the
\nculture itself, not for human beings. We can preserve physical
\nartifacts but we cannot cage, for example, a group of people in a
\ncertain territory just because we want to maintain their
\nexistence,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"We can't limit the dynamics of people's movements. Betawi
\npeople are not a kind of puppet show. If the municipality agreed
\nto that idea, it's the same as having a living fossil.<\/p>\n
\"It's better for the municipality to build them a cultural
\nhall and convention center so they can meet and run special
\nevents, but don't 'exile' them in some kampongs.<\/p>\n
\"I think if the idea transpires it will be an insult.\"<\/p>\n
Soeparmo said a similar idea was proposed for the preservation
\nof Betawi people living in Condet, East Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"I strongly opposed the idea at that time. How could we give
\nthem free scope? People have to socialize,\" he said. \"Condet
\npeople, for instance, can marry other people from different
\nethnic groups and backgrounds.\"<\/p>\n
Condet has since been earmarked for the preservation of
\nfruits, such as duku and salak, and is considered one of
\nJakarta's green conservation areas.<\/p>\n
\"I think the same concept can be implemented here. Give the
\nBetawi people room to express themselves but don't 'exile' them
\nin the name of preservation,\" he said. (07)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/preserve-culture-dont-fossilize-betawi-people-1447893297",
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