The Tree of Life, Indonesiaan Ornamental Design

The tree of life is the source of all that all that lives, of all wealth and welfare. The idea of upperworld, underworld, and the tree of life as devine unity is met in many parts of Indonesia. Pohon hayat / pohon kehidupan (the tree of life) is the symbol of the highest unity.

In some part of Indonesia we still find the tree of life as a sacred  tree planted in the centre of  the village on a small stone terrace, on the terrace are placed the skulls of sacrificed kerbau (water buffalo). At certain festivities some times an artificial tree of life is placed and decorated...

From the earliest sources of Sansekerta (Sanskrit) literature, the tree of life is mentioned. Kalpataru *in Sanskrit kalpa (menas life and taru means tree* *scientific name is Barringtonia asiatica*, is a wish fulfilling devine tree in Hindu mythology. Often described as a grand tree jeweled in strings of beautiful precious stones, Kalpataru is the tree of life, a divine tree, a celestial tree or a spiritual tree. It is told, that the king of all Gods, Indra, took a kalpataru tree and plant it in his beautiful paradise filled with many shady trees and most juicy delicious fruits at the top of Mount Mehru, Java.

Certain Dayak believe in a god of the upperworld, symbolized by the hornbill and in a god of the underworld, symbolized by the water snake. Over this two deities there is still another god which comprises both of the upperworld and the underworld and is symbolized by the tree of life. Pictured below an example, a mat of very finely woven of rattan strips, from Kuala Kapuas, Borneo.

On the woven cloth from South Sumatra pictured below, we find the tree standing on a terrace. Woven on the cloth images of horns of kerbau (water buffalo), birds, and on the terrace there are human figures with sun shades and spears (maybe symbolizing the ancestors).

Another example of the tree of life is pictured here in the wood carving, from Cirebon, Java. Here the upperworld represented by a bird, the underworld by a snake and the unity by the tree of life (more less ss a leaf) springs of a lotus and rest on a mountain.

Gunungan. In the Javanese shadow play, the wayang kulit, before the performance begins and after its end and also in between the acts   a fan shaped figure is place in front of the screen. The screen is called gunungan (mountain range), gunungan symbolizes the totality or unity, therefore equivalent to the tree of life. The gunungan may occurs in various forms and all sorts of motifs are worked up in it, but the principal motif is always the tree in the centre, the tree of life.

*most of this post is summerized from the great book of
Indonesische Siermotieven
Ragam-ragam Perhiasan Indonesia
Indonesian Ornamental Design,
By A. N. J. Th. a Th. Van der Hoop
1949

Plant Ornamentation, Indonesian Ornamental Design

In prehistoric times we find no plant ornamentation in Indonesia. Only later, in the Hindu period, this came into vogue. Since then it has become almost the principal part of Indonesian ornamentation.

Beautiful tendrils and flower designs become an expression of gratitude towards nature. *such a beautiful way to be grateful that I simply adore*
Often it is quite difficult to make sure which flower it is meant to represent: in fact, it is not at all certain that the artist in every instance really wanted to reproduce any particular flower. Perhaps the artist intended to design a general stylised plant ornamentation, for the main purpose is gratitude with a spark of adoration towards life and nature.

EARTHENWARE
On earthenware, plant ornamentation was cut into the clay before it was quite dry. Jar, incense burner, and pitcher are a few of earthenware commonly embellished with tendrils ornamentation.

EMBROIDERY
Embroidered cloth, embellishments with tendrils and flowers. Plant ornamentation embroidery is quite common at Palembang, the design is a mixture of Javanese, Chinese and Siamese influence.

WOODCARVING
Especially in woodcarving, plant ornamentation has developed artistically. The Javanese house has an open front gallery or porch. The wall between this porch and the house, which is called gebiok is usually embellished with beautifully detailed and dainty woodcarving. In the middle of this wall, gebiok, there is a double door. Above the double door there is an arched decoration of beautifully detailed openwork woodcarving.
The same house arrangement and the same way in which woodcarving is applied in Java, is customary also in Madura. But the style of carving shows local differences.

BRASSWARE
On bowl / passu of cast brass, the ornamentation is applied in shallow relief, it's background being filled with black ressin / gala.
Sirih set, another beautiful example of brassware work, consisting of a rectangular tray embellished with tendrils ornamentation in relief, but without gala. It's relief, therefore is not as shallow. Within the tray of sirih set, there are little containers to hold the sirih ingredients, and they are similarly decorated.

BRONZE
In the Hindu-Javanese period, on occasions of public worship, bronze sacrificial dishes were used in the shape of very large flat plates, called talam. The flat circular centre of such a talam embellished with tendril and flower designs.

*summarized from the great book of
"Indonesische Siermotiven
Ragam-ragam Perhiasan Indonesia
Indonesian Ornamental Design"
1949*

Indonesian Geometrical Ornament: Tumpal

Welcome to the first post of Indonesian Ornamental Design series.

As we know, previously stated: I will bring a series of posts honouring and celebrating Indonesian geometrical ornaments.

This is a post of an ornament called Tumpal. A beautiful design that never fails to catch my eyes especially the ones in batik.

The best known application of the tumpal is perhaps in the textile and batik art. Both in the woven sarung and in batiked cloth one may find a broad strip across the cloth. This is called "kepala" ("head") and is ornamented with two rows of tumpals whose tips approach each other.

In the batik work tumpals usually occur in the shapes of isosceles triangles. But sometimes the triangle itself is omitted, so that only the tendril ornamentation remains, although its outline is still more or less triangular. This is the case with the mesmerising cloth originating from North Bali: whilst the ornament itself has assumed the form of a tree, the tree of life. The cloth is multicoloured, the tumpals being woven in with green, purple, yellow and blue silk threads, and partly also with gold thread.

Also in the kain songket the tumpal motif is generally found. In these cloths the ornament is not batiked on, but is woven in with gold thread. We may see an example of gold woven tumpal on kain songket from Palembang, Sumatera.

Here shown a pic of sarung from Lasem, East Java, with tumpal design in the kepala (head). The tumpals in this case are filled in with designs that strongly indicate Chinese influence.

Wether is woven or batiked, tumpal is a marvelous design handed to us in ways of beauty.

...
One night as the stars scattered upon the  dark sky, I rose and pick up my brush... my mind filled with glee for a pattern I'm starting to see. A token of my admiration towards tumpal, in shades of light blues.

Cheers to tumpal..!

Kind regards,
Naomi

JPI & BPAP 'What does it takes'

Hello dear readers! :)

Forgive me for taking so long to post this, but as I promised here I post one of the little stories about Jambore Pemuda Indonesia and Bakti Pemuda Antar Provinsi...

Okay, so maybe you have heard of them, maybe you're familiar about these programs or perhaps maybe you have been there done that.
If so, then you must aware of great experiences they brought.
Sure, it's life changing in many good ways... but how do we get in? What does it takes to be on JPI & BPAP?

Test
To get in, from what I've been through, generally I faced
A series of interviews and written tests covering important subjects such as:
Culture,
Leadership,
Youth development in social economic,
Traditional art,
Indonesian tourism focusing in ou province, especially our own region/town.
We also must be capable in singing, traditionsl dancing or/and musical abilities. Oh also expected to be capable in at least one creative-productive skill (cooking,craft,woodwork,etc).

Determinance
It takes a person who really wants it and ready to work hard hard for it.
As for me, my family's support and my love for my hometown pushes me through. Days and days what going on inside my mind is how much I love Banjarbaru, that state of mind really motivates me and keep me going.

Luck
pray,hope for it and do the best.

Well that's my version of What does it Takes, JPI and BPAP.
Hope you liked it.
Thank you for reading...

Best Regards,
Nom

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Jambore Pemuda Indonesia & Bakti Pemuda Antar Provinsi

The largest archipelago in the world dividing two oceans ( Pacific ocean & Indian ocean) ; 17.508 islands, about 6.000 of which are inhabited...
A proud nation consists of hundreds of distinct native ethnic and linguistic groups...
Encompasses 34 provinces...
With national motto "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" (means Unity in Diversity) articulates the diversity that shapes the country. INDONESIA.

Many years ago 'til now and hopefully years to come, The Republic of Indonesia through the Ministry of Youth and Sports held
"Jambore Pemuda Indonesia & Bakti Pemuda Antar Provinsi"
as a place to bond chosen youths from all across the country in one love for Indonesia.
To support youth's creativity towards independentcy,
To embrace our tradition and culture diversity,
And most importantly to build the spirit in unity and belonging in our nation.

Therefore, here by I declare, I am so blessed to be a part of this.

Jambore Pemuda Indonesia took place in the yard of magnificent Prambanan temple, Jogjakarta, 26th October 2014 - 2nd November 2014.
Bakti Pemuda Antar Provinsi took place in 33 provinces in Indonesia, 2nd November 2014 - 27 November 2014.

Personally there are too many beautiful stories carved in my memories... so I think I will publish a few of them in simple short stories maybe along with some pictures...

Thank you for stopping by :)
See you in future posts

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JPI & BPAP, introduction

Hi..!

How was your week?

My week was like a rollercoaster ride.

So, months ago I apply to enter a selection/audition.
I went through a series of interview and written test covering subjects such as
culture,
leadership,
youth development in social economic,
traditional art and tourism.
I also must be capable in singing, traditional dancing or/and music.
And have at least one creative productive skill.

Guess what, I got in, thank God :D
And thanks to my Mother, who always insist & teach us to know our country and culture.
I represent South Borneo, chosen along with few other youth went through the same process.

We have a, let's say a culture learning quarantine week.
Then...
We will join the national culture youth camp, Jambore Pemuda Indonesia. Told to be filled with outbond activities on days and artistic cultural performances on nights... :D The event will be a week long, held on the picturesque historic site Candi Prambanan, Yogyakarta.
Finally,
We will send by the government to serve and  help to develop a village or small community in other province in Indonesia for 25days living in a host family learning local traditional values. Bakti Pemuda Antar Provinsi.

First day of quarantine I've got know each other. The kind seniors also gave us a sneak peek of what it would be in Jambore Pemuda Indonesia.

But, that night.... Sadly I got ill... and wnet on bedreat until now.
so I hope I'll get healthy very sooonnn, be back on quarantine soon and still able to go. Amen!
Wish me luck :*

Oh yeah, here I attach a pic of my business casual fresh faced look I sported that first day.

Thanks for reading.
Love,
Nom

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