Sunday, July 31, 2022, Dr. Sukarjo Waluyo M.Hum., the head of the Indonesian Literature study program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Diponegoro University, was invited as a speaker at the cultural gathering at the Jamasan series of events and the Jipang Palace heritage exhibition. The event was organized by a group of youth activists for heritage (Paguyuban Tosan Aji Kuntul Ngantuk) in Kentong Village, Cepu District, Blora Regency. The activity, which was held with the Jipang Palace, Lesbumi Padangan Bojonegoro, Lakpesdam Cepu, and the PBN Korwil Blora is expected to be an effort to preserve culture. Apart from Dr. Sukarjo Waluyo, also attended by Agung G Wisnu as Director of the SNKI Professional Certification Institute and Barik Barliyan Surowiyoto who is considered to have a lineage with Arya Penangsang.
In the cultural workshop, Dr. Sukarjo Waluyo, M. Hum. agreed that the event held was an effort to preserve culture. Furthermore, Dr. Sukarjo Waluyo, M. Hum. emphasized the importance of cultural preservation efforts so that Jipang is not claimed by other districts.
“There are many examples, such as the Soreng dance, it is clear that the Soreng troops are Jipang troops, but were adopted by the Magelang regency government, the Soreng dance became the national champion of Nusantara dance, and was even finally invited by President Jokowi to the State Palace,” he explained.
Dr. Sukarjo Waluyo, M. Hum. on the same occasion also mentioned that the existence of the Jipang palace could support the people’s economy. This is based on the tourism potential inherent in the Jipang palace as a unique cultural product from Blora Regency.
Regarding historical truth, Dr. Sukarjo Waluyo, M. Hum. states that historical truth depends on the perspective used. “Whether Jipang is a kingdom or a duchy, it’s just a matter of who says it. The point of view there (the counter group) will be different from the point of view here (which is pro). What is certain, there was a political vacuum of power at that time after Demak (recessed), and there is a territorial (power) struggle between Jipang and Pajang. We learn from historical fragments, how we stay solid (within the Indonesian framework),” he said.
As a researcher who studies more deeply about Jipang and its central figure—Arya Penangsang, Dr. Sukarjo Waluyo, M. Hum. has discussed this in his book entitled “Arya Penangsang: Portraits of the History of the Battle of Coastal Java vs. Inland Java”. Coastal culture with all its richness has also become one of the focuses of study in Indonesian Literature, Diponegoro University, which is now managed by Dr. Sukarjo Waluyo, M. Hum. as head of the Study Program. (Marta/Didit)
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