Indonesian epic 'La Galigo' takes world stage

Indonesian epic 'La Galigo' takes world stage

Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar, South Sulawesi

La Galigo, probably the world's longest epic, that describes the
values of life and heroism in the Buginese community, will go
international as a colossal theatrical performance under the same
title.

The performance, which will be directed by Texas-born Robert
Wilson, a famous name in experimental theater, will take the
stage in a number of cities in Asia, Europe and the United
States. The series of performances -- slated to be held between
February and December 2004 -- will commence in Singapore and
finish in Indonesia. Two inaugural performances will be held at
Het Muziektheater, Amsterdam and Teatro Liure at the Forum
Universal de Les Cultures.

Researchers and observers have dreamed of the revisited fame
of the epic -- which is estimated to have been written between
the 14th and 17th centuries -- especially since in its place of
origin, South Sulawesi, it has virtually sunk into oblivion.
Fewer and fewer people have a copy of the epic or participate in
the once popular storytelling method of singing it.

Twice as long as the Mahabharata epic or the story about the
adventure of Ulysses in Homer's Odyssey, La Galigo -- also called
Sureq Galigo among the Buginese community, has drawn the
attention of Rhoda Graeur and Restu Imansari Kusumaningrum of
Bali Purnati Art Center. Both were assisted in their exploration
of the epic by La Galigo experts and observers like Nurhayati
Rahman, Andi Anthon Pangerang, Muhammad Salim and Fahruddin Ambo
Enre.

"Sureq Galigo is about the creation of the world and the first
six generations to inhabit the planet. The main characters'
incredible adventures relate the cosmology of the ancient
Buginese. Many of these features are still apparent in the music,
customs, architecture and rites of the Buginese community," said
Kusumaningrum.

She and Grauer conceptualized the performance and arranged for
Robert Wilson to direct it. They have also established the
cooperation of the Change Performing Art of Milan, Italy.

Written in the ancient language of the Buginese language in
Lontara characters, the epic is composed of several episodes,
each telling a different story. The stories develop from relating
how man was created, to the heroic adventures of the main
character, Sawerigading. They convey the attributes of good
leadership, the fundamentals of democracy, the values of the
Buginese community and the skills of the Buginese people in
making voyages.

As many as 300,000 verses of Sureq Galigo have been collected
and re-written, amounting to an impressive 2,859 pages. The
Indonesian translation of this epic will consist of 12 volumes.
Although, thus far, only two volumes have been published.

The upcoming theatrical performance of La Galigo attempts only
to relate the story of how the world was created. For, to explore
La Galigo in full, would be a mammoth task indeed.

In the production, the story will be retold in a traditional
narrative form but will feature more contemporary aspects in
terms of dance and music.

To lend an authenticity and originality to the performance,
most of the cast -- including dancers and musicians -- will be
recruited from South Sulawesi.

As the director, Robert Wilson, says he is always open to
input. He realizes that this performance, which will surely be a
great theatrical achievement, must honor the work from which it
has derived. Some La Galigo experts and observers have already
begun to criticize the not-yet-staged performance.

They fear that the performances will fail to live up to the
awesome qualities of La Galigo.

But, Wilson -- far from the dictatorial director -- has said,
"basically, I'm ready to learn." He is advised by Puang Matoa
Saidi and script consultant, Muhammad Salim. But big challenges
lie ahead.

To ensure that La Galigo will be flawlessly performed,
rehearsals already began late last year. The rehearsals have been
held in Bali and also in locations in South Sulawesi, like
Makassar.

Extreme care will be taken over the staging of sacred elements
of the story, or those concerning rites or ceremonies.

"Wilson is very serious about the production. He ensures that
everything is as authentic as possible. Take, for example, the
sound of a thunderclap. To produce this sound, an iron sheet will
be used, as composer Rahayu Supanggah cannot find this sound
among her musical instruments," said Yusi Avianto Pareanom, the
project's media relation officer.

Elizabetta di Mambro of the Change Performing Arts, a producer
who has worked with Wilson for some time, confers Wilson's
commitment to La Galigo.

She said, she was most encouraged to see that the play was
being meticulously prepared from the bottom level up.

The rehearsals for La Galigo have been divided into three
workshops. The last workshop will be held for three weeks in
Singapore, prior to the inaugural performance.

Unlike Hamlet, for example, La Galigo is unknown to theater
buffs. As his most important theater project in the last few
years, Wilson says he hopes the production will make La Galigo
famous, not only in Indonesia but also abroad.

It is hoped that, in sharing their marvelous cultural
heritage, South Sulawesi's young people will find renewed
interest in the stories themselves.