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)