Capital City Young People Wear Kebaya? No need to worry!

Kartini and kebaya have something in common, namely uniting and promoting women's independence and freedom of expression.

KOMPAS/FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

The parade participants carried banners for the Kartinian CFD parade on MH Thamrin Street, Jakarta, on Sunday (21/4/2024). Indonesian Traditional Dress Women and Dancing Kebaya organized the Kartinian CFD parade.

A beautiful walk wearing kebaya is a surefire way to re-echo this Indonesian literature to young people. Kebaya contains noble philosophical values, namely unity, prioritizing polite behavior and freedom of expression for its wearers.

Aurora Raisa (25) glides around the Hotel Indonesia (HI) Roundabout, Central Jakarta, using roller skates, Sunday (21/4/2024). What was unique was that at that time he was not wearing sports clothes, but was wearing a kebaya with batik cloth underneath.

"The kebaya can be worn anytime. Not only for formal events, but it is also comfortable to wear for exercising and even working," said the graduate of the Industrial Engineering Department at the University of Indonesia.

Not only roller skating, Aurora has even worn a kebaya when paragliding.

Aurora started to enjoy wearing kebaya since 2014. It was her mother who first introduced her to kebaya. The "kebaya virus" has since influenced her up to this day. She is still able to express herself freely and engage in activities while wearing kebaya amidst the trend of her peers who are less comfortable wearing it in their daily activities.

"There are still many young people who think kebaya is only appropriate to wear at formal events," he said.

It is still vividly remembered how her friend reacted when she came to campus wearing a kebaya. Many of her friends thought Aurora had just attended a wedding. "Actually, at that time, I just wanted to wear a kebaya," said Aurora.

Also read: Kartini

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CFD Kartinian participants dance at the Hotel Indonesia (HI) roundabout, Jakarta, during motor vehicle free day (HKBK), Sunday (21/4/2024).

On the occasion of Kartini Day, Aurora joined dozens of women from six kebaya activist communities. They wore white kebayas combined with batik patterned cloth at the bottom. With the theme "Jalan Cantik Berkebaya", they strolled beautifully from the Sarinah Building to the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout and back again to the Sarinah Building.

The types of kebaya worn are diverse, ranging from kutubaru, kebaya kartini, to kebaya encim betawi. Occasionally, they also dance while wearing kebaya, accompanied by the song Lenggang Puspita.

The solidarity of Nusantara's female warriors managed to attract the attention of thousands of residents who were exercising during the car-free day. Often, some of them were asked to take photos together.

Kebaya is a cultural product that develops dynamically, lives and grows along with the lives of its people.

Until now, at least 50 members of the Kebaya Menari Community regularly conduct activities at Sarinah, Jakarta. Through dancing, Yanti hopes that more Indonesian women, especially the younger generation, will be interested in wearing kebaya.

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Yung Intan Mheutia (38), one of the runners from Runjani, a running community in Lombok, wore a kebaya during the Lebarun event held at Loang Baloq Beach area, Mataram City, West Nusa Tenggara, on Sunday (21/4/2024). Several female runners in the event wore kebaya to commemorate Kartini Day which falls on every April 21st.

"Through dance, I hope that the traditional kebaya attire will be elevated, not only in the domestic sphere but also spread to the world stage," she said.

According to Yanti, the tradition of wearing kebaya is important to preserve the identity of Indonesian women who hold noble values. One of the figures who has inspired Indonesian women in wearing kebaya is Kartini. She wore kebaya from childhood until the end of her life. In fact, one type of kebaya in Indonesia is named after Kartini.

By wearing kebaya, it is hoped that Indonesian women will also remember Kartini's struggle in advocating for gender equality and independence for women in national life. "Remember Kartini, remember Kebaya," she said.

Kebaya is global

Collaboration is also consistently applied to register the culture of wearing kebaya in the list of intangible cultural heritage to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). In this effort, Indonesia is collaborating with four neighboring countries, namely Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, and Thailand.

According to Rahmi, with this registration, it is hoped that the enthusiasts of kebaya will continue to flourish. Not only in Southeast Asia but also in the world. "Even now, there are already kebaya enthusiasts in 12 European countries. Hopefully, this phenomenon is a good sign," she said.

The submission of kebaya as an intangible cultural heritage has been underway since March 2023. It is expected that in December 2024, kebaya will be included in the list of cultures that will be reviewed by UNESCO.

Also read: Kebaya that is timeless

KOMPAS/FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

The CFD Kartinian dancers danced together at the Hotel Indonesia roundabout (HI) in Jakarta during car-free day on Sunday (21/4/2024).

Indah Marsaban, a member of the Indonesian Kebaya National Team, believes that kebaya is a traditional Indonesian fabric that contains very valuable noble values. By wearing kebaya, Indonesian women are invited to exercise more self-restraint in their behavior.

On the other hand, kebaya also symbolizes the freedom to express oneself. There are hundreds of variations of kebaya originating from several regions, each with its own distinct characteristics. This is where it is evident how kebaya serves as a vessel for women's freedom of expression.

"Kebaya is a cultural product that develops dynamically, lives and grows along with the lives of its people," said Indiah.

That's why, said Indiah, currently kebaya is categorized into two parts, namely traditional kebaya and contemporary kebaya. Traditional kebaya involves wearing kebaya while still maintaining customary norms. For example, in traditional ceremonies, kebaya is usually combined with a bun hairstyle and wearing selop sandals.

Meanwhile, contemporary kebaya can be mixed and matched with other types of clothing. For example, kebaya can be paired with skirts, fabrics, and even jeans. Some even wear sports shoes with it. Thus, the use of kebaya clothing is more flexible.

KOMPAS/FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

Participants of the CFD Kartinian parade ran along MH Thamrin road in Jakarta on Sunday (21/4/2024). The Indonesian kebaya-clad women and dancers organized the CFD Kartinian parade.

In addition, kebaya also symbolizes the disappearance of social barriers. This is because kebaya can be worn by everyone, from herbal medicine sellers, farmers, ministers, to the First Lady.

Because, fundamentally, kebaya unites people. Just like Kartini, who united Indonesian women to be able to live independently by upholding emancipation. Therefore, young generations in Indonesia do not need to hesitate to wear kebaya.

Young people from the capital wearing kebaya? No need to worry!