We're still here, say Betawi people

We're still here, say Betawi people

JAKARTA (JP): The Betawi (native Jakartans) claim they exist
despite constant development programs and globalization.

Noted Betawi figure S.M. Ardan said it was not true if people
said the ethnic group was becoming marginalized in the capital,
which is to commemorate its 473rd anniversary this Thursday.

"I don't agree with that statement as there are many leading
Betawi figures with a sufficient background in education
nowadays," he told The Jakarta Post in a recent interview.

"Many also live in many parts of Jakarta although there are
also Betawi who live in neighboring cities," he said.

Ridwan Saidi, another noted Betawi figure, shared Ardan's
opinion, saying that there were still many Betawi residents
living in the city.

"Most live in East, South and West Jakarta. However, those who
live in Central and North Jakarta are decreasing," he said
separately.

"But it should be kept in mind that the cultural territory of
the Betawi is not the same with the city administration
territory. There are Betawi settlements in Tangerang, Depok,
Bojong Gede, Bekasi and Cikarang," he added.

Ridwan accused then governor Tjokropranolo of expelling the
Betawi from the capital in 1977, spurred by the political
situation at the time.

"It was because the United Development Party (PPP) won the
largest vote in Jakarta in the 1977 general election. The Betawi
were PPP's staunch supporters," he said.

The Betawi Consultative Body (Bamus Betawi) has estimated that
there are about two million residents of Betawi descent nowadays
in Jakarta. They are living throughout the city's villages,
especially on the outskirts.

Their strongholds are in the Tanah Abang district in Central
Jakarta; Condet, Jati, Klender, Cakung, Pondok Bambu districts in
East Jakarta; Jagakarsa, Pesanggrahan, Pasar Minggu, Lenteng
Agung and Kebayoran Lama districts in South Jakarta; North and
South Sukabumi, and Kebon Jeruk districts in West Jakarta and
Sukapura district in North Jakarta.

The origin of this ethnic group is unclear. The most accepted
theory is that it emerged about 400 years ago as a mixture of
several ethnic groups who dwelled in old Batavia.

One thing for sure is the group was influenced by the Chinese
and Arabs, as well as Indonesia's ethnic groups, such as the
Sundanese and Balinese. Influence also came from the Dutch and
Portuguese.

"There's no real Betawi style, because all of it came from the
Chinese, Sundanese, Balinese and many other ethnic groups. It was
really a mixture," Ardan said, pointing to a Betawi bridal
costume where the bride wears a Chinese gown and the groom wears
an Arabian costume.

"The mixing process continues until now as children who were
born here, no matter where their parents are from, speak the
Betawi dialect," he said.

Ardan cited New York, which is made up of many ethnic groups,
as an example.

"The New Yorkers didn't come from one ethnic group. They were
Italians, Irish and others," he said.

Betawi people are famous for their humorous attitude.

"I have to admit there is an impression that we, as Betawi,
are not serious in many things. It's our lifestyle," Ardan said.

"Some may say we are a bunch of easy quitters because of our
easygoing habits," he added.

Meanwhile, Misbach, a Betawi elder from the Cikoko area in
South Jakarta, said one of the Betawi's characteristics is their
obedience to Islamic rules.

"Most Betawi children can at least recite the principal verses
of the Koran, such as Al-Fatihah," he said.

"Another characteristic is that we'll always feel enough with
what we already have," he added.

Ridwan said: "The Betawi look easygoing not because they are
lazy, but simply because their land is so prosperous that it
doesn't require them to work hard."

"We don't usually carry cash. We prefer to save our money in
the form of land or other assets. There are some wealthy families
collecting sarung for their savings," he added.

Misbach admitted that the Betawi used to have a low level of
education and this led to their inability to maintain their
wealth and they had to move out of Jakarta.

"There were a lot of residents who couldn't save their money
and started to sell their land to buy cheaper land on the city's
outskirts," he said.

"But the younger generation, who have a better education, have
managed to improve their life by saving their earnings," he
added.

In order to preserve the culture, the city administration has
planned to construct a Betawi cultural reservation in the
Srengseng Sawah area of South Jakarta.

"It is the city administration's intention to preserve the
culture and tradition of the Betawi by constructing the village,"
Sutiyoso told the Post recently.

The village is to have lakes and Betawi fruit trees to attract
tourists. It is also expected to become the center of Betawi
culture activities in the city.

But Betawi youngsters rejected the plan.

Secretary-general of the Communication Forum of Betawi
Students (FKMB) Muhammad Ridwan said the Betawi were not some
kind of protected animal.

"We reject the plan to construct a reservation because we
aren't a nearly extinct animal, such as the rhinoceros," he said
recently. (nvn)