How to Utilize Indonesian Mythology?
Myths, just as Christine Downing said, do not stay in the myth books. They seek us, find us, and play with us.
The term of “Indonesian mythology” itself is pretty inaccurate. Indonesia is a country that politically formed; it gathered many regions, people from a lot backgrounds, and cultures into one identity. Because it’s not ethnic-based or culture-based country, the term “Indonesian mythology” is less precise. For example, in genesis-trope mythology; we have Sawerigading by Celebes people, Hainuwele by Seram Island inhabitants, Kameloh by Dayaknese people, Mulajadi Nabolon by Bataknese people, and others maybe still not codified yet.
In general, Indonesia is a strange country that established modern country yearning for multiculturalism. If US established it by created a new value from scratch, called universality, modernity or whatever; Indonesia need to adapt its status-quo which traditional value is still holding most of aspects of life. So, the “universality” is just mere concept in Indonesia. Though we have Pancasila as a ideal foundation and way-of-life, almost nobody concern about it or yearn for it in right way.
Because it has been located on most strategic area since then, Indonesia experienced a lot of cross-culture interactions. Historically, Indonesian culture, especially in western part like Bali and Java; can’t be identified without India’s influence of Hinduism or Buddhism. It’s hard to not tell that most of Javanese and Balinese folklores and myths are derived from Hinduism lore such as concept of deva and bhuta. Many deities in Hinduism like Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma, Prithvi, Narada, Shri, and many others got adapted and reformed into local wisdom. People back then did it in order to compromise external and internal belief and seek for stability.
Utilize Mythology
Zeus and his fellow deities (and Titans) in Greek Myth are great, they inspire people to create fictional works fulfilled by heroism and menacing intrigue; so are Odin, Thor, and other Nordic deities. Japanese kami and other spirits shown impressively in anime and manga. But, how about so-called Indonesian mythology?
We have problem that traditional Indonesian people tend to treat mythical knowledge as if it’s real: depending on such deities to relieve themselves from the harsh reality; or in more dishonorable way, practicing quackery and deceive others. I don’t say that mythical things are bad or delusive, it can be useful for some purpose e.g. suggest people to protect environment by promoting some taboo. But, we, Indonesian don’t so. What we have is only the probem I told first.
Nevertheless, a few of intelectuals treat Indonesian mythology in proper way. The classic pattern of using it in fresh form often depicted at Mahabarata and Ramayana epic, with additionally-original character e.g. Punakawan members. It mostly performed in wayang puppet. In a bit modern way, Raden Ahmad Kosasih create a comic version of it. The next generations of Indonesian comic artist also give some credit to Indonesian mythology. Yet, after all of those, the such comics didn’t gain huge amount of popularity in a long-term.
I think, we as Indonesians are just too embarassed to recognize that we have those timeless stories about deities, demons, fairies, spirits, and phantoms. We feel so, then we’re trying to find new identity look more understandble or cooler because the identity we have, always treated poorly either by government or society. In short, that stories doesn’t has spirit at all.
Therefore, here I am trying to express my fidgety and seeking for newly-fresh way how to utilize Indonesian mythology.
