11/05/2024

Banjarmasin – A number of lecturers in the Department of Language and Art Education (JPBS), Faculty of Teacher Training and Education (FKIP), Lambung Mangkurat University (ULM) agreed to form the Oral Tradition Association (ATL) of South Kalimantan (Kalsel). ATL is a non-profit organization engaged in the study of oral traditions, with the main focus of dealing with Intangible Cultural Heritage in Indonesia. ATL has also managed to maintain international accreditation from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and remain as a partner in preserving intangible cultural heritage according to the 2003 Convention. Since its formation in 1994, the South Kalimantan ATL was finally formed in 2024.

The inauguration of the board as well as a national seminar discussing the oral tradition of South Kalimantan was held on Saturday, May 11, 2024 at the Rectorate Hall on the 1st floor of ULM from 13.00-17.00 WITA. The event was opened by the Dean of FKIP ULM, Sunarno Basuki. In his remarks, Sunarno Basuki expressed his support for the formation of this association given its vital role in efforts to preserve local culture. According to him, because the administrators are mostly lecturers from three Study Programs (PS) within JPBS, namely PS Indonesian Language and Literature Education (PBSI), PS English Education, and PS Performing Arts Education (PSP), the three PS are expected to collaborate in developing the association.

The management of ATL South Kalimantan was inaugurated directly by the Chairperson of ATL and lecturer at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences, University of Indonesia, Pudentia Maria Purenti Sri Suniarti. The administrators were inaugurated based on the Decree (SK) of the General Chairperson of the Oral Tradition Association Number 8/ATL-P/I/2024 concerning the Determination of the Composition of the Executive Board of the Oral Tradition Association (ATL) of South Kalimantan Province for the 2024-2028 Period. The composition of the South Kalimantan ATL board 2024-2028 can be seen as follows, Board of Trustees: Governor of South Kalimantan, Chairman of the Central Oral Tradition Association, Rector of ULM, Rector of PGRI University Kalimantan, Rector of Muhammadiyah University Banjarmasin, Rector of State Islamic University (UIN) Antasari Banjarmasin; Advisory Board: Head of Education and Culture Office of South Kalimantan Province, Head of Tourism Office of South Kalimantan Province, Head of South Kalimantan Language Center, Head of South Kalimantan Cultural Park, Head of Archaeology, Language, and Literature Research Organization, National Research and Innovation Agency, Dean of FKIP ULM;

Board of Experts: Prof. Rustam Effendi, Prof. Jumadi, Prof. Fatchul Mu’in, Dr. Taufik Arbain, Dr. Setia Budi, Sirajudin. Daily Management: Chairperson: Prof. Rusma Noortyani, Vice Chair: Derri Ris Riana, M.Pd., Secretary: Ahsani Taqwiem, M.Pd., Deputy Secretary: Jamiatul Hamidah, M.Pd., Treasurer: Dr. Titik Wijanarti; Deputy Treasurer: Faradina, M.Pd., Research and Training Division: Dr. Sainul Hermawan, Dr. Hatmiati, Fahmi Hidayat, M.Pd., Dede Hidayatullah, M.Pd., Nasrullah, M.A., Arum Murdianingsih, M.Pd.; Publication and Documentation Division: Budi Kurniawan, S.Sos., Dewi Alfianti, M.Pd., Muhammad Adhitya Hidayat Putra, M.Pd., Akhmad Humaidi, M.Pd., Furkoni; Community Empowerment Division: Dr. Noor Eka Chandra, Dr. Ida Kumalasari, Dr. Nida Mufidah, Dr. Novita Triana, Dr. Noor Cahaya, Muhammad Yunus, M.Pd.; Festival and Performance Division: Novyandi Saputra, M.Sn., Muhammad Budi Zakia Sani, M.Pd., Sumasno Hadi, M.Phil., Mukhlis Maman. Business Development and Creative Economy: Dr. Dwi Wahyu Candra Dewi, Novia Winda, M.Pd., Lita Luthfiyanti, M.Pd., Akhmad Syakir, M.Pd., Risa Lisdariani, M.Pd., Aulia Novitasari, M.Pd.

After the inauguration, the event continued with a seminar discussing oral traditions with ATL Chairperson, Pudentia Maria Purenti Sri Suniarti, and Sainul Hermawan, an expert on Balamut oral traditions. The seminar was moderated by Derri Ris Riana. In her presentation, Pudentia explained a lot about ATL’s important position in the preservation of Indonesian oral traditions. “ATL has successfully maintained international accreditation from Unesco as a partner in the preservation of intangible cultural heritage,” she said. Meanwhile, Sainul Hermawan talked a lot about Lamut and its preservation efforts. “For Lamut Karasmin, there are already a number of young people who are committed to learning and practicing it. Therefore, Lamut preservation is optimistic that it can be done,” he said.

Chairperson of ATL South Kalimantan, Professor of PS PBSI FKIP ULM, Rusma Noortyani expressed her appreciation for the trust given to her. According to her, future development will be carried out according to the work program. “Every six months, activities will be held as a form of preservation, development, and of course the promotion of the South Kalimantan oral tradition. To strengthen the network we have held hearings with various parties. Alhamdulillah, everyone supports and will collaborate in ATL activities,” he said.

“ATL South Kalimantan was initiated by Prof. Rustam. From his information, the central ATL for South Kalimantan has been vacuumed for 30 years. Then in its formation, Prof. Rustam, Prof. Fatchul, and Prof. Jumadi as the Expert Council determined the daily management. Alhamdulillah, I am trusted to carry out the mandate to become Chair of ATL South Kalimantan. This is certainly a special moment to look forward to the future with hope, because we will have the opportunity to continue to strengthen our precious cultural heritage,” he added. According to him, oral tradition itself is very close to his field of research so far, including the scientific work on dindang that led him to become a professor is part of the oral tradition of South Kalimantan.

Congratulations to the inaugurated administrators. Hopefully, they can make the best contribution to the preservation of South Kalimantan’s oral traditions. (admin)