Sinau Romo Mangun (SRM) or Studying Father Mangun gave birth to an essay compilation called Membabar Peta, Merupa Bumi. With a deadline of four weeks, the book was ready to be explored by various parties. The act of gathering scripts from writers, editors, and layout was done as quickly as possible.
“Actually (we) are used to making books with a fast rhythm such as this,” said Setyaningsih, the assistant of Sinau Romo Mangun and the editor of “Membabar Peta, Merupa Bumi.”
The strategy that’s against the tide of time was certainly fruitful. The essay compilation Membabar Peta, Merupa Bumi was launched on the closing and awarding night of the Lifetime Achievement Award on the main stage of Biennale Jogja XVI Equator #6 2021, on Saturday (13/11) evening. The book was wrapped with a white cover and a unique design from Nai Rinaket.
The inviting book title was proposed by Ayos Purwoaji, the main exhibition curator, discussed with Bandung Mawardi, the caretaker of Bilik Literasi Solo. Ayos said that at that time, Bandung explained to him why Father Mangun had such a broad way of thinking.
“It’s because he (Father Mangun) was a product of when the earth science was taught to students. The geopolitics, cartography, and geography that was taught shifted their imagination regarding other countries and continents,” Ayos explained.
With the background of the 16th-17th century that tells the culture of Halmahera people in Northern Maluku with the Tobelo Tribe, Father Mangun, through this novel, favors the people colonized by abuse of the Portuguese, the Spaniard, and the Dutch.
The keywords started from food, eroticism, gossip, even house, shows up like a fresh breeze near the ocean.
The challenge, Setyaningsih said, is how to make this book free of the twists of academic image. “There were quite a few academics in the SRM class. So, in the varying essays, we didn’t add footnotes and references so it wouldn’t feel like a journal, a paper, or scientific work.”
The class that was held every Saturday afternoon was arranged with Bilik Literasi Solo, starting from the 7th to 28th October through Zoom. Moreover, it also worked with the Laboratory of History, Theory, Study of Technology and Design of FAD UKDW, Hatopma Publisher, The Dynamic of Primary Education Foundation, and the Center of Architecture Documentation.
