Speak Javanese in Bantul, please

Speak Javanese in Bantul, please

Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta

Surman spoke Javanese while his colleagues smiled, stifling their laughter as they heard him try his best to greet a guest.

"Monggo, wonten ingkang saget kulo bantu. Mlebet langsung mawon (May I help you. Please, come in)," said 47-year-old Suarman with a thick Padang accent.

Surman, the Bantul Regency spokesman, was born in West Sumatra. He was speaking Javanese not only because he wanted to improve his language skills, he was also following the appeal of his boss, Regent Idham Samawi, who called on all his staff to use the language on the 20th day of every month.

"Even though I have a strong Padang accent, I have no problem with speaking Javanese. I am an employee of the Bantul administration so I am a part of the Bantul community and a public servant," he said.

During the speak Javanese day, instead of using the national language, Bahasa Indonesia, all regency employees are expected to speak Javanese among themselves and when they serve the public. As The Jakarta Post observed, it was not easy for many non- natives.

The speak Javanese day program was launched on Jan. 20 in an effort to build a nation with a noble character based on its many cultures, the regent said.

The Javanese were known as people with strong ethical traditions, he said. Speaking the language would help people adhere to these ethics and would also preserve their culture.

He denied the program was reactionary. Every region had its own culture and should preserve it, he said.

"In Bantul, we should pay great attention to Javanese culture, like the Minang (people) who put importance on their culture," Idham said

There was public support for the day -- voiced at a meeting commemorating the 172nd anniversary of the Bantul government on July 16 last year.

While not all civil servants were Javanese and might find it difficult to speak the language, regardless of their tribe or origins, they were now part of Bantul society, he said.

"This is the wish of the people. Therefore, those who can not speak the language, please learn it. Nothing is difficult if one wants to learn."

The language day was not compulsory and no formal sanctions would be taken against those who could not speak the language, he said.

"But because it is the wish of the people, (non-speakers) are likely to be socially sanctioned."

In order to boost Javanese culture, schools in the regency would use the Javanese language in certain lessons, Idham said.

The cultural movement would also involve arts and sports activities. Every month, a shadow puppet show would be held at the hall of the Bantul regency building. The puppeteers would be from the Bantul Puppeteers' Association, he said.

Sukijan, chief of the Munthuk village, in Dlinggo, applauded the moves but said more programs were necessary. The impact of globalization on culture meant efforts to preserve the Javanese way of life should not stop at people learning the language.

"If we don't protect our heritage, we will become mere copies of other cultures, with no traditions of our own," Sukijan said.

He would use Javanese for every official meeting in the village instead of Bahasa Indonesia.

"All of us should develop this region by putting an emphasis on our culture," he said.