Activists move to cleanse Earth through solidarity

JAKARTA (JP): Earth Mother is crying. Her agony is manifested in a series of natural disasters, economic and political turmoil and other catastrophes that befall Earth.

Poet Darmanto Jatman sees Indonesia and its people as the children of Bumi Pertiwi (Earth Mother), and he lays some of the blame for the nation's problems at their feet.

"This explanation clearly portrays the present condition of our beloved country," he said

Mismanagement of natural resources contributes to the extent a natural disaster impacts on a country. Just as the political and economic crisis in Indonesia was driven by careless and unwise handling of the nation, he said.

It is for these reasons that some consider it necessary to hold a special ritual called Ruwatan Bumi, or purification of Earth, to cleanse the planet and expel any evil spirits and impurities.

More than 500 people from different walks of life -- artists, social and human rights activists, lawyers, professionals from various fields, environmentalists, journalists and prominent figures have formed a network called Aliansi Indonesia untuk Bumi dan Kehidupan Bersama (Indonesian Alliance for the Earth and the Community).

The alliance's members include film director Garin Nugroho, movie actress Nurul Arifin, musicians Harry Roesli and Leo Kristi, composer Ben Pasaribu, painters Agus Suwage, Herry Dono, Dadang Christanto, Herry Dim and Endo Suanda, and women's activists Debra Yatim and Julia Suryakusuma.

Traditional and modern theater groups and art organizations have registered with the alliance in addition to a large number of non-governmental organizations including the influential Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi), World Wide Fund for Nature, the Bali-based Wisnu Foundation, and the Yogyakarta women's group Aisyiah, universities and student organizations.

The alliance's membership base now spans from Sumatra, Sulawesi, Java, Bali and the eastern provinces of Indonesia. Some Indonesians living in California, the United States, have also agreed to collaborate.

The alliance plans to hold Ruwatan Bumi on April 22 to commemorate International Earth Day which falls on that date and to promote the Year of Arts and Culture by staging beneficial and meaningful activities to help heal Earth and its people.

"These are some proactive efforts to fill the Year of Arts and Culture with significant activities and to empower people to find solutions to the current problems," Darmanto said.

'Ruwatan Bumi'

The idea of holding Ruwatan Bumi stems from ancient Javanese cosmology. The ritual is held if something is in disharmony, or salah kedaden according to the Javanese term.

A ritual for a child, for instance, is believed to have the power to protect him/her from any calamity and to eliminate negative influences from his/her mind, heart and body.

A coordinator, sociologist and activist, Wardah Hafidz, said the Ruwatan Bumi ceremony was aimed at reviving the creative energies of individuals and Indonesians in general.

"People's willingness to cooperate and to trust each other is going nowhere," she said. "They have lost their confidence in many things."

Currently, the nation is going through a multitude of crises, she said. Skepticism, mistrust and frailty have already absorbed people's energy and creativity is needed to overcome the present situation.

"We have to do something to heal the people, to heal the country and to create a better living environment."

The organizing committee has coordinated more than 100 activities which started earlier this month and will continue until mid May.

The activities comprise art events, symposiums and workshops on various issues, social gatherings for the distribution of basic commodities to the poor, rural and slum improvement projects, health campaigns, and religious and spiritual activities such as mass prayers and meditation.

"This collaboration is the first step toward establishing a strong and solid multi-sectorial network which involves all members of society," poet Afrizal Malna, a member of the committee, said.

In Bandung, West Java, Ruwatan Bumi will be dedicated to Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Abdul Latief.

Artist Herry Dim, coordinator of the Bandung events, said Latief would be invited to attend one of the ceremonies.

"I am not sure whether he would be able to attend it but, at least, we have already informed his ministry which is responsible for any artistic activities in this country."

Afrizal said the organizing committee would not seek a government permit to stage artistic events or other activities held nationwide to celebrate Ruwatan Bumi.

Bans on art and cultural events have long hampered Indonesian artistic development and have threatened the artists' creativity and freedom of expression.

Many art performances dealing with "sensitive" issues have been subjected to government's bans. In 1995, a government decree allowed local artists to perform and display their works without a government permit.

"Authorities should not be too suspicious. These activities are implemented to benefit people, to increase their awareness about the importance of working hand in hand," Afrizal said. "Therefore, these efforts will likely have a positive impact on people's lives."

Yogyakarta artist Sutanto Mendut once said that in a critical situation, people must make an all-out effort to resolve the problem.

He said many people, including artists and other prominent figures, were in doubt over whether the ceremonies and events would work during the current political and economical upheaval.

In fact, that is the best time for Indonesians to make a show of strength and explore their talents and creativity to help the country and to help themselves out of the predicament, the artist said.

"If Earth Mother is sad, then her children must make extraordinary efforts to make her happy." (raw)