The changing culture of Javanese 'keraton' titles

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.