by Erham Budi Wiranto

Suwardi Endraswara mentions several Javanese nomenclatures that influence people even in political affair. “Deso Mowo Coro, Negoro Mowo Toto” means village has its tradition, state has its regulation. Traditionally, it is often interpreted as an acknowledgment that diversity is alright because each village may has different tradition, but the state has the rule to manage all diversities. However, to me, it is also implies that socio-culturally there are two sides absolutely different; a village or country (deso) as an inferior, simple, and weak, on the one hand, and a state (Negoro) which is often represented by city as the superior, complex, and strong, on the other hand. The nomenclature also implied to the distinction between wong gedhe and wong cilik. Wong gedhe are those who have high status in society such as aristocrat, noble, and rich man. Wong cilik are ordinary people or lay person. Wong gedhe has a duty to “ngemong” (take care) wong cilik, that’s why sometimes they called pamong (shorthand of “pangemong”, someone who takes care other). While, the duty of wong cilik is wiradat ombyoking kahanan (follow the progress or change of world), thorough in work, and give a contribution to defend the country/state. Hierarchical status in Javanese society was a value that usually influences people personality, including rulers and president.

Hierarchical relationship in Javanese culture places the lay people in the inferior position. Lay people are prisoner of this cultural value. It is because there so many ethical value that seen as right, normal and good values but misused by wong gedhe to exploit wong cilik. Suwardi Endraswara mentions concept of ewuh pakewuh that means be polite to other especially to elders and wong gedhe. Actually, it is very good teaching in Javanese tradition, but the application of this value is often not good. For example an official would not criticize the director even the director doing something wrong. Whatever the reason, criticize the director is impolite. Therefore, wong cilik just always said sendhika dhawuh (yes sir, I will do it) when the boss ask him/her to do some jobs, even evil job. Wong cilik will never against the boss because he realizes the Javanese hearsay Asu gedhe menang kerahe, those who more powerful must be win. Therefore, based on ewuh pakewuh reason, an official will always follow the director covet without a protest. Even, some official will not do anything when they know that the director practice corruption, because they feel pakewuh. The other reason is because Javanese have concept of mikul dhuwur mendhem jero that means give highest respect and keep another’s secret. Javanese people will already respect his boss although the boss doing something incorrect. Even they will protect and keep his boss secret. That is why corruption can strongly root in Indonesian culture.

In my opinion, Javanese culture is good and humble, however the higher class in Javanese society often use tradition to justify their action, even though that action is dishonest. Perhaps that is the reason why Javanese people are “smart” to defend their supremacy. For long time, Indonesia led by Javanese president (except Habibie). One factor, I think, is because some Javanese misuse their traditional value to take benefits in their policy. The facts seem like proving what Thomas Stamford Raffles said that although Javenese people are sensitivist, but actually Javanese are also ambitious to get power and prestige.