In southern Yogyakarta, Indonesia, lies a hidden gem that will transport you back in time to the 19th century. Kampoeng Mataraman is a traditional Javanese village that has been from a to z recreated by Urban Village Panggungharjo to resemble the way it would have looked during the reign of the Mataram Kingdom.
Kampoeng Mataraman noticeably came to life in mid-2017 and is an endeavor managed by the Village-Owned Enterprises (Badan Usaha Milik Desa, BUMDes) Panggung Lestari.
It is positioned at Jalan Ringroad Selatan No.93, Glugo, Panggungharjo, Sewon, Bantul, Special Region of Yogyakarta.
In the main, Kampoeng Mataraman is a restaurant, but when you step into its premises, it ain't like entering an ordinary dining place. Instead, it feels like stepping into a serene rural area that seems to transfer you to the past.
You'll be greeted by lush trees, accompanied by a gentle breeze. Everything feels harmonious, from the buildings to the various art items on-site. The staff at Kampoeng Mataraman even don traditional attire, with men wearing surjan lurik, while women dress in kebaya and kain jarik.
Kampoeng Mataraman offers a delightful array of rural specialties, featuring authentic flavors that evoke a sense of nostalgia. A pride and joy dish is the sayur lodeh, jangan ndeso, showcasing the genuine taste that is sure to bring back fond memories.
The beverage selection is equally diverse, featuring traditional concoctions such as jamu kunir asem, wedang sereh, and wedang uwuh. Additionally, for snacks, you could indulge in a variety of fried treats and boiled peanuts.
For this reason, this place isn't just a mere "dining spot" but offers a distinct view and atmosphere. It's perfect for reunions or casual gatherings with family and friends in a cozy setting.
Kampoeng Mataraman as well as ready to enhance our events with added outdoor activities or other games, depending on our needs. If you wanna capture moments in a vintage ambiance, you could also take pictures with an ancient atmosphere. They even offer property rentals, adding a touch of authenticity to your experience.
As a result, it ain't a wonder that this place hosts various festivals, let's say the Yogyakarta Cultural Festival (FKY). The latest event took place on Friday, November 17, 2023, where, to celebrate International Day for Tolerance, the Jaringan GUSDURian in collaboration with the Panggungharjo Village Government organized the Festival #BedaSetara Indonesia Rumah Bersama (Festival of Diversity and Equality: Indonesia, a Home for All) right here.
Interfaith leaders come together in prayer during the #BedaSetara Festival, captured beautifully by Firda Ainun of the Jaringan GUSDURian.
Mrs. Bea Ten Tusscher, the Dutch Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), was warmly received by the Jathilan Turangga Muda Budaya Panggungharjo. Accompanied by Alissa Wahid, the national coordinator of Jaringan GUSDURian, on her right, and Jay Akhmad, the Jaringan Gusdurian National Secretariat Coordinator on her left. Captured beautifully by Firda Ainun.
Within the festival, Mrs. Bea Ten Tusscher, the Dutch Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB), graced the event. In her address, she expressed, "To celebrate this day of tolerance for me, it's natural here in Indonesia because you are a tolerant people."
In compliance with Bea, Indonesians have an extraordinary ability to embrace diversity, be it in terms of beliefs, race, or ethnicity. They could live in harmony amidst this diversity, and these values should serve as an example for other nations to foster peace and compassion among fellow human beings around the world.
"You find it easy to accept other human beings because you value the dignity of a human being."
Bea in addition emphasizes that this festival serves as a reminder, that the spirit of tolerance ingrained in Indonesian society should not fade away. It should be practiced every single day without exception.
"This is your nature and this is Indonesian, and this has never been taken away from you by nobody," Bea continued.
In this gathering, Alissa Qathrunnada Munawwarah Wahid, better known as Alissa Wahid, the eldest daughter of the late President of the Republic of Indonesia, K. H. Abdurrahman Wahid, and also the National Coordinator of the Jaringan GUSDURian, expressed her support for Bea's perspective.
In her address, Alissa stated that Indonesia consistently upholds diversity while firmly emphasizing equal rights as citizens. "A little while ago, Mrs. Bea conveyed that Indonesians can be tolerant because they always respect each other's dignity," Alissa stated in her oration of nationality.
The Indonesian society can unite in tolerance due to spirituality, which defines us as a nation. The Indonesian people are those who acknowledge that diversity is a creation of God. "If it is God who created, and we are the faithful who believe in God's teachings, then why do we deny those differences?"
We are blessed, added Alissa, to be born in Indonesia, where from a young age, we are introduced to tolerance. Indonesia is respected and admired for its diversity and unity. The world respects Indonesia because we could maintain unity amidst diversity. It ain't automatic; unity amid diversity requires tolerance.
Tolerance is about receiving differences among us. But it's not just about acceptance; it's also about respecting the existence, presence, and diverse thoughts.
"If there's something we wanna reject, decline it based on principles, not on identity. Reject drug dealers who come here, reject those who offer online loans, sebrakan, and turn down those who teach values full of hatred. It's not the individuals we dismiss, but what they bring," Alissa continued.
With the 2024 Indonesian presidential election just around the corner, it is more important than ever to reject vote buying and money politics. Vote buying could divide our nation and undermine our democracy.
"If you wanna choose a leader, president, pick someone who could safeguard Indonesia as our shared home, a home for all, whoever they may be," she said.
Regardless of all that, the Beda Setara Festival Indonesia Rumah Bersama was filled with interfaith prayers and enlivened by various artistic performances. Musical performances by Sanggar Simpay, for instance, had Bea Ten Tusscher and the guests dancing along.
There were also flash mobs by Sanggar Kancil Art and a bazaar featuring a variety of local foods and merchandise produced by SMEs in the Panggungharjo village [mhg].