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Mengarungi Sejarah Selayar - Inside Indonesia

Essay Argumentative-Sungkeman Culture



SUNGKEMAN? DOES IT DESERVE?
Dian Ariana Junaedi (AG.1)

Have you known ‘Sungkeman’?
Culture is a way of life that is developed and shared by a group of people and passed down from generation to generation. In Indonesia, there are many different cultures obtained from a variety of different tribes, there are Betawi, Sundanese, Javanese, Dayak, Banjar, Bugis ethnic and so on. Each tribes has distinctive or unique features of their cultures. For instance, Java tribe has a cultural tradition that is 'Sungkeman' which means sitting crouch down and kiss the hands of the people who are older. This culture is the local culture, especially from the Java community that has a good meaning to strengthen the relationship each other. This culture perfectly suitable with the identity of Indonesia that always respect and appreciate older people, so it is good to be served as a national culture. In a few words, 'Sungkeman' as the local culture from Javaness can be promoted as a national culture.
‘Sungkeman’ which is the original culture of the Javanese very worthy to become as one of the national culture that must be patented by the society, not only the Java community, but the people of Indonesia as a whole. The culture is important to be patented even preserved becauseSungkeman’ culture is a form of respect and the view of noble character that has been passed down from generation to generation. In addition, ‘Sungkeman’ also describes the values of politeness to the people who are older. These values are very important of Indonesia, especially in terms of identity. The identity of Indonesian society that makes Indonesia different from other countries, some of the identities are the people who still maintain customs, manners, and politeness that can be realized throughSungkeman’ culture.
‘Sungkeman’ as one of the local culture in Indonesia is also meant as an expression of love to the older person, usuallySungkeman’ is attributed to the parents as a form of filial piety to parents. Therefore, ‘Sungkeman’ usually is done on the day like the Eid, Eid al-Adha, even in wedding sacred ceremonies. The things that exist inSungkeman’ is in accordance with the values of Pancasila in the smallest environment within the society. It is in the family because we are required to obey and respect to the parents. Not only that, ‘Sungkeman’ as well as one of the media in intertwine the relationship.
Some people may said that Sungkeman as national culture was not necessary because in strengthen the relationship, we can do it with social media. Social media is now very diverse, fast and even efficient in use. To a Certain extent they are right, but a recent study of longevity revealed that people with a number of close friendships live on average longer than 7-8 years longer than those do not maintain the strong connections. In this study, proving that face-to-face communication is better than communication through social media. In the social media you may connected with people who post frequent updates status but you are most likely missing out on the most important infomation, because people tend to share positive news and minimaze the negative things that can affect directly. Therefore, face-to-face communication even with the use of cultural ‘Sungkeman’ helps to efforts intertwine the relationship.
In conclusion, ‘Sungkeman’ is a culture that is in accordance with the values of Pancasila which suitable with the identity of Indonesian country as a whole so that it deserves ifSungkeman’ culture serve as a national culture in Indonesia. A culture that is no longer a special Javanese culture, but a culture of Indonesian society generally. Therefore, we should keepSungkeman’ cultural even preserve it. So that, it will be not lost in this globalization era by always familiarize the ‘Sungkeman’ culture in everyday life.      

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