Blessing One: No Future without a Past

I might be sitting in the very last row of this plane that is carrying me to Kuala Lumpur in 11 hours and 40 minutes, but I am counting my many blessings.

The up-coming fashion designer, Olivia Sinaga, wants to be present at the launch of the Boat Budaya. Our theme, ‘Celebration of the Batak Weaving Tradition’, is what she is all about. She has been converted into a staunch supporter of her own culture’s textile heritage.

She contacted me by email while I was sitting in the departure lounge. She wanted to bring me her beautifully crafted shawl inspired by the Batak sibolang textile. Now if this isn’t a blessing…

Olivia visited the villages of Tano Batak to learn about her own textile heritage. Her study inspired her beautiful new creation. I hope to wear it during the launch of Pulang Kampung III and to use it as a dramatic illustration of the axiom: without the past, there is no future.

Blessing Two: The Youth will Attend

MJA Nashir wrote to me a few days ago. He has been working non-stop for weeks to realize our launch. In addition to being dedicated, Nashir is a methodical worker who leaves nothing to chance. What he puts his hand to, he does well and thoroughly. Now he has put his hand to getting our special guests from North Sumatra to Taman Mini to attend the launch of Pulang Kampung III.

He has called on Pak Jerry to trouble-shoot the logistical challenge. Pak Jerry is our faithful project chauffeur who has proven time and again that he can leap every logistical hurdle without a misstep. He knows what we fight for and how we go about our work; he knows our contacts and how to find them in Tano Batak; he inspires trust. He has agreed to go to Muara to pick up our weaver, then pick up two of our youthful participants, Lasma in Simalungun and Febrina in Karo. He will inspire trust and confidence in their parents.

I am anxious for Lasma and Febrina to meet. They are both very bright, but born to poor families and consequently have never had the opportunity to enjoy tertiary education. Both are interested in perpetuating Batak culture; both are devoted to Batak textiles.

Pak Jerry will fly with our precious cargo and stay for the opening. I am so glad! He is a member of our team  and we would not be complete without him. He will make sure that everything flows smoothly. 

Tears came to my eyes when Nashir told me how he had arranged things. He is realizing my dreams.

The two young Batak men who will join us at the launch in Taman Mini, Manahara Tambunan and Os came to my eyes when Nashir told me how he had arranged things. He is realizing my dreams.

Blessing Four: Confirmation of the most Profound Sort

Ani Siimanjuntak and Jeki Simatupang are a young Batak couple. Apparently they visited Anjungan Sumatera Utara at Taman Mini quite by chance when MJA Nashir was there some months ago and, according to Ani, there was an immediate ‘click’.  She and her husband have long been enthusiasts of Batak culture. Ani’s mother is an expert basket weaver and Ani grew up with respect for this craft – now also threatened with extinction.

Ani and Jeki threw themselves heart and soul into their self-assigned role of fundraisers for the Pulang Kampung expedition. Nashir and I quickly learned that they are precisely the key that we had missed in our prior fundraising efforts. Jeki is a born strategist. Both are fully plugged into the Batak community of Jakarta. They move in it like fish in water.

Ani and Jeki well know what they are up against. Throughout their lives a different model has been held up for them, a model of development and modernity that stipulates leaving the villages and adopting an urban lifestyle with Western trappings of success. By honouring the villages, Pulang Kampung turns that model on its head. Strangely but I don't think surprisingly, this upside-down model is resonating in the hearts of many Batak people. Ani and Jeki are touched when they see that their Batak friends are touched. Surely there is a part in all of us that would rather see our culture's past as heroic rather than dispensable!

Ani and Jeki have been campaigning tirelessly. Their list of Batak families is long and they visiting them one at a time to share the essence of the Pulang Kampung journeys and solicit support.

How gratifying is that? Ani and Jeki are proving over and over again that the time for the Pulang Kampung concept has come. I am humbled by the magnitude of their devotion and their effort. 

I am scheduled to meet this exceptional couple tomorrow.

Read all about it in the Bhinneka Tabloid

http://tabloidbhinneka22.blogspot.comhttp://tabloidbhinneka22.blogspot.com

MJA Nashir wrote it -- except for the part that Pak Tatan Daniel wrote about Nashir. 

Pak Binsar Sihombing presented Nashir with the opportunity to use his tabloid to tell the world what we are doing. He believes in the Pulang Kampung project.

All worked so very hard to realize this tabloid and to excellent effect. It is an excellent device because it captures the essence of what Pulang Kampung is all about. It is a convenient and efficient way to share it all.

Thank you Pak Binsar Sihombing, Mas Nashir and Pak Tatan Daniel!