W. Javanese culture becoming extinct

BANDUNG, West Java (JP): Governor Nuriana disclosed recently that at least 32 types of West Javanese traditional arts had become officially extinct.

"We're very concerned with the development of arts in West Java...people here are unaware of their own art and culture," Nuriana said during a meeting with councillors.

The provincial administration, Nuriana said, has tried to preserve traditional arts by helping to establish various arts groups.

There are now some 1,311 traditional music groups, 340 theater groups; 808 puppeteer groups, 1,213 musical groups and 665 traditional dance workshops.

Councillor Yudi Widhiana Adia pointed out that the vanishing traditional art forms was, in part, due to a lack of socio- cultural experts in the field.

But a Sundanese culture expert from Padjadjaran University, Ganjar Kurnia, said the extinction is because West Java, unlike Yogyakarta and Bali, does not have a center for cultural development.

"Administration simply doesn't pay enough attention to art and culture. It's never been progressive in conserving the arts such as providing adequate funds and space," he told reporters on Friday. (25/hdn)