The changing culture of Javanese 'keraton' titles

By Singgih Wibisono

JAKARTA (JP): It is said that if royal titles were to ignite endogenous pride among the today's society, travesty would take on a new meaning. Ancient Javanese culture saw the royal title as a means to address revered nobility and to establish a hierarchy. Times have changed. These days titles are as much for public relations as anything else.

Evolving times demand suppression of traditional bias. Ironically, noble titles provide the polish desired by modern- day entrepreneurs and high-ranking officials, satisfying both psychological and social necessities.

As more titles are bestowed by the Javanese keraton (palace), the number of titled socialites is increasing in both Surakarta and Yogyakarta. Preserving such traditional norms are enactments of a time when noble jurisdiction encapsulated both cultural and political power. With the arrival of the Dutch and then the foundation of the Indonesian republic, the political aspect was eroded. However tradition is preserved through accommodating people's social-climbing aspirations.

To this day, the ceremony of giving titles is as it was centuries ago. Recipients are however no longer confined to the keraton's courtiers but now include worthy community figures and government officials who have served the keraton and helped promote its ethos in local society. They don't even have to be Javanese.

On one hand, this is often seen as unsuitable in our post- colonial era. On the other, the only noteworthy aspect to holding a title are the elevated social status and prestige it brings.

Titleholders change their lifestyles, even surroundings, to comply with the keraton tradition. Building a joglo-fashioned home -- having the upper portion of the roof traditionally edged -- or having a vast open veranda facing the house, are among the most standard changes. They also often adorn their guesthouses with traditional umbrellas, spears and other weapons.

Ritualistic family ceremonies are based on keraton tradition and no expense is spared to mirror the extravagance of yesteryear. The grandeur of marriage outfits is of particular importance, the more regal the better. Title or no title, anybody in search of increased status can hold such weddings as long as they adhere to keraton standards.

Cultural changes

But does holding a title carry influence in the worlds of business and government? And more importantly, is it truly linked to the culture ingrained in the Javanese?

Understanding the culture through which title-chasing emerged is an education in itself.

Often viewed as an abstract concept, the Javanese initially believed their culture not only encapsulated the essence of life, it was a life to be led. An institution of protocol, it set out guidelines on thought, norms, fundamental habits and conduct required within the formidable social structure.

The virtue most admired was that of harmonious living -- having balanced and compatible relationships -- a philosophy totally at odds with the cosmic perception of life, which in contrast to Javanese cultural beliefs, expounds a direct relationship between nature and humankind.

Nature is the bountiful and harmonized manifestation of God's will. Conflicts can only endanger the stability of the cosmic world. Everyone is thought to have been brought into the world for a reason, and preserving stability among interacting beings is what holds everything together.

As the cosmic understanding became more established, people began to grasp its realism and abide by it. Reflecting this cultural change was the attitude to titles. Where once people had lived up to their designations, more and more organizations became rudderless as the leadership positions became filled by status-seekers who shunned the accompanying responsibilities.

Enrollment in such organizations became more about acquiring a new status in society than anything else as the higher the position, the greater the prominence in society.

Competition was often fierce for these positions, but because every aspect of keraton's culture has always been governed by such formal etiquette, conflicts are settled gracefully and with utmost regard to the opposing party's sensibilities. Members of an institution would still rarely question seniors' judgment; but where blind acceptance had been the norm not doubting an order was now considered the rational thing to do.

Cultural intricacies were followed to the letter. As throughout Javanese history, keraton not only dominated society, but proved to be the most efficacious force in it. The sultan was the center around which the world revolved -- the functioning God of his subjects.

Titles like Hamengku Buwono (Owner of the world), Paku Buwono (the nail pinning the entire universe) Mangku Bumi (World supporter), and Amangkurat (Ruler of the world) speak volumes.

The king is the center of life in the universe and whose authority had to be respected. Keraton artists sang praises to them. Such idolatry was reinforced by a kind of surrealism that said the titled controlled the harmony in their lives and everything that happened in their worlds.

Traditional keraton ceremonies were therefore considered sacred, and were strengthened when the Dutch seized the sultans' political power. Trying to maintain its authority, the keraton became a cultural foundation in the lives of the Javanese, and from it stemmed the society's everlasting art and culture. A sultan's status is still dutifully recognized.

The keraton culture is sill utilized in the form of social recognition with the bestowal of titles. On those who do not belong to royalty, are nevertheless bestowed honorific titles such as Kanjeng Raden Tumenggung (an equivalent of Sir). Any contribution to preserving the keraton's imagery, once considered merely commendable, now earns the contributor a suitable title.

As long as society links status symbols to prominence, the keraton culture will be upheld and acknowledged. But as its influence gradually fades, the younger generation are now fighting to gain status by earning respect instead of relying on cultural titles for it.