Silent Symbol as a Reminder of Diversity

KOMPAS/HERU SRI KUMORO

A monument depicting the struggle of ethnic Chinese and Javanese combatants against the VOC in 1740-1743 in the Chinese Garden, Taman Mini Indonesia Indah, Jakarta, Saturday (29/12/2018). The monument was erected by the community of Lasem, Rembang, Central Java, as a tribute to the nation\'s warrior heroes.

A number of structures or peace monuments, even murals, have been erected in a number of regions in the archipelago. The silent symbols were built as a reminder of the importance of knitting and maintaining tolerance.

One of the silent symbols used as a reminder of diversity is found in the city of Lasem in Rembang district, Central Java, known for its ethnic and religious diversity. In Lasem, the people, who are mostly of Javanese and Chinese descent and followers of Christianity, Catholicism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism, live together peacefully.

The diversity established hundreds of years ago is symbolized in the Monument of the Struggle of Javanese and Chinese Warriors, which was built in the Gi Yong Bio Temple in Babagan, Lasem. A similar monument can also be seen at the Chinese Culture Park at the Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) miniature park in Jakarta.

The monument, which tells the story of the yellow war "Geel Oorlog" in 1740-1743, features four cross-ethnic and religious figures and leaders of Javanese and Chinese troops. The four figures were Panji Margono, Oei Ing Kiat, Tan Kee Wie, and Kiai Ali Badawi. They fought together against Vereenigde Oost Indische Compagnie (VOC), the Netherlands. Although the Javanese and Chinese warriors in Lasem lost the battle, the spirit to maintain diversity continues until now.

During religious holidays, the Lasem people visit each other. During day to day activities, they usually meet in the market. It is also normal to find the santri (students of Islamic schools) drinking coffee in a coffee shop in the Chinatown. The people also patrol together at night, guarding each other\'s places of worship, and mourning each other if a resident dies.

"The Monument of the Struggle of Javanese and Chinese Warriors in La Sem was officially opened on Nov. 14, 2015. The monument was built from the reflection of the history and diversities of the Lasem people which still exist until now, and is expected to be a reminder of Lasem\'s spirit of mutual respect for diversity," said Heritage Lasem activist Pop Baskara recently.

Don’t repeat the conflicts

In Palu, Central Sulawesi, there is a city monument in the form of a four-story tower, which is dominated in white and golden colors. The 2.5 meter high pole stood up with a tip of a burning fire. On the east side, there is a large golden gong overlooking the Palu Bay. In the gong, archipelago islands are drawn. Then, on the flat surface near the moon, there are symbols of religions in Indonesia. Outside the circle of the gong, there are names of 34 provinces, with the symbols of districts / cities in the country.

That is the complex of the Gong Perdamaian Nusantara (Nusantara Peace Gong) which is located in Tondo village, Mantikulore district. The complex which has become a tourist attraction has two main icons, namely the Nosarara Nosabatutu Tower and the Peace Gong. Nosarara nosabatutu is a phrase of the Kaili language widely used by the Kaili community, a tribe that originally lived in the Palu Valley.

Central Sulawesi literacy activist, Neni Muhidin, said, Nosarara comes from three words, namely no, sa, and rara. The first two words have no meaning other than assertive, while Rara means \'heart\'. Batutu means \'container or place\', a kind of a bag made from woven bamboo. The item is usually carried when going to the market.

"Nosarara nosabatutu means \'one heart, one container\'. It\'s a symbol of brotherhood and unity," Neni said.

The Gong Perdamaian Nusantara complex was built in 2014. The goal is to strengthen diversity in "Earth of Celebes". Central Sulawesi has a dark story about the breakup of the unity of the people during sectarian conflicts in Poso regency in 1999-2001. On a small scale, conflicts between villages also occurred in the past decade. Scores of people were killed.

The Peace Gong complex has now become one of the tourist icons in Palu and its surroundings. On weekends, many tourists visit the complex. "Gong Peace is a reminder to all about the importance of brotherhood and peace even though we are different," said Wayan Darma, 45, guardian of the Gong Perdamaian Nusantara.

From the peace gong, the spirit to maintain the diversity of the nation through Nosabatutu is echoed to the corners of Sulawesi and the archipelago.

The symbol of peace also exists in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara. It is called Tugu Merpati monument in the form an open palm welcoming the arrival of pigeons, as a symbol of peace. Kupang where the majority of the population are Christians and Catholics is referred to as the "City of Love". Tugu Merpati is the work of the late Ngefak brothers, namely Chris, Mola, and Paul.

The NTT cultural observer, Felixianus Sanga, said the Tugu Merpati was the monument of the Penfui War which erupted in the 1700s. It was the war between the Portuguese and Dutch in order to rule the island of Timor. "Penfui literally means \'flying wild\'. "It means the Dutch sporadic attacks on the Portuguese in the Penfui region," said Felix.

Felix said, Tugu Merpati is not only a monument marking the outbreak of war in the Penfui region. The meaning of the wild flying is symbolized in the form of animals. For Timorese, birds are an expression of freedom and joy. The movement and maneuver of birds are also then used as movements in local dances in Timor. "Over time, doves are interpreted as a sign of love. The meaning is in accordance with the slogan of Kupang as the City of Love," he said.

Kupang residents believe open palms with flying doves as a symbol of love. The local people embody the spirit of love and the spirit of tolerance through simple things. One form is on the dining table. Socially, it has taken root that brothers with different beliefs must be included, involved in various events or

celebrations, both happiness and grief. They will be involved in cutting animals, such as chickens, cows, or goats. "By cutting animals with halal method according to belief, we can sit and eat together in a sense of brotherhood at one table," Felix said.

Young people living in Kupang city interpret Tugu Merpati as a circle of love. Slamet Tryono, 26, a young man from Klaten, Central Java, consides Kupang as his home. He was born and raised in that city.

"The Tugu Merpati is not only a symbol of peace. Patience symbolizes love, solidarity in the company. As in Kupang city and NTT, we live in harmony without questioning differences," said Slamet.

Sculpture or fine arts in cities are not just city markers. The art of sculpture is also a silent symbol that conveys various messages of history, life, to the spirit of the city. It is a symbol to remind about tolerance and diversity. (HENDRIYO WIDI/ VIDELIS JEMALI/E17)