Tantyo captures ethnic values in his picture

Tantyo captures ethnic values in his picture

Bayu Dwi, Contributor, Jakarta

Indonesia is well-known for its rich cultural traditions. But
in this modern era, tradition seems to be increasingly regarded
as an "enemy."

When an individual or a community wishes to modernize,
traditions are often abandoned and sometimes forgotten.

Today, many of Indonesia's various ethnic traditions are on
the verge of disappearance. The atmosphere is further clouded by
the uncertainties as to which values are prevalent.

This theme is prevalent in Tantyo Bangun's solo photo
exhibition entitled Senjakala Tradisi (The Dusk of Tradition),
held at Antara's Journalistic Photo Gallery in Pasar Baru,
Central Jakarta, which runs until Oct. 17.

In his black-and-white pictures, Tantyo attempts to record
traditions of several ethnic groups including the Mentawai,
Dayaks and the Sumba, which are being marginalized of late.

Antara chief editor M. Sobari said that culture can't be
regarded as something linear as modernization and tradition can
coexist through time.

"Everyday we create a new tradition, like this exhibition.
Previously, this activity was almost non-existent, but today it
is in abundance, which means we are continuously creating new
traditions," he said.

Tantyo's photos evoke powerful emotions. And the question that
needs to be asked is; are these truly the obscure portraits of
local tradition? Though not encompassing the country's whole
tradition, he explicitly reminds us of the cultural richness
still present throughout this vast archipelago.

A series of pictures of Mentawai people on Siberut island,
West Sumatra, is one of the examples. The Mentawaians, who used
to have a very isolated culture, are now influenced a great deal
by modernization. Their traditional culture is now only found in
the southern and western parts of the island. Their traditional
ceremonies are becoming increasingly rare throughout the island.

Tantyo captures on film at least one ceremony called Lajo
simagre, a dance involving a boat belonging to an evil spirit,
and performed all night long to enable the kerei agung pageta
sabbau (high priest) to heal sick citizens.

To forecast the future, Mentawaians usually sacrifice a white
rooster to decorate the simagre (the spirit's boat).

Tantyo theorizes that Mentawai traditions have become
marginalized due to local government expediency in carrying out
various programs.

"It (cultural marginalization) is due to efforts intended to
unite Mentawai's clans and enable the local administration's
program on education and health to proceed. Apparently it has
decreased the ritual performances in the clans."

"We also find pictures rarely seen in cities," said Aristides
Katoppo, chief editor of Sinar Harapan evening daily. "For
instance, just look at the longhouses of the Dayak people in
Kapuas Hulu, West Kalimantan."

Tantyo is fond of traveling, not only in Indonesia but also to
other countries, since joining the University of Indonesia's
Students Nature Society (Mapala UI).

With his schoolmates, he once crossed the Tripa river in Aceh
and climbed Cayambe and Chimburazo mountains in Ecuador in 1987.
In 1993, together with Ripto Mulyono, they became the first
Indonesians to reach the snowy peak of Aconcagua mountain in
Argentina. He also has been to Antarctica.

Tantyo is very enthusiastic about exploration, and this
remains his main motivation for each activity, and the underlying
theme of his reports and adventure photography during his five-
year career as a journalist for Matra magazine.

He is also busy with documentary films of Indonesia's national
parks including Kayan Mentarang, Kalimantan, and National
Geographic in Mentawai, Sumatera. Writing is also his other
passion as he has published some books and articles in Time,
Asiaweek, Business Week, GEO and National Geographic. In his
spare time he does work with an adventure magazine, Jelajah,
where he is chief editor.

"Nowadays I'm finalizing a book on Indonesian traditional
medicines. I might be able to get it published in three years,
so please keep your fingers crossed," he said with a smile.