Puisi untuk Tikus Berdasi

Summary

This narrative unfolds the personal and collective struggle of a farmer from Bojongsari, Indonesia, reflecting on the socio-political turmoil during the 1970s. It highlights the author's journey, entwining the trauma of war, massacres, and the authoritarian regime under the guise of state security. Through vivid imagery, the story explores themes of suffering, resistance, and survival amidst political upheaval. The author’s experience embodies the larger historical context of Indonesia's violent transition and the deep scars left on its people, all while conveying a personal account of resilience and memory.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker dedicates the script to farmers, highlighting their struggles and contributions.
• 😀 The text describes personal experiences of pain, loss, and the impact of human actions, using symbolism such as the 'zither' and 'wounds'.
• 😀 The speaker identifies as a farmer from Bojongsari, living a simple life with self-planted rice, which represents their dreams and values.
• 😀 References to Indonesia's political history, including the transition from Bung Karno's leadership to Parto's regime, with the backdrop of state security and the massacre of six generals.
• 😀 The script touches on the turbulent political climate of Indonesia, mentioning the extermination of the left-wing PKI (Indonesian Communist Party) and authoritarian rule.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on historical events like Repelita (five-year development plans), which could be seen as 'five-year massacre plans'.
• 😀 A mysterious shooter is mentioned, with the law of the state considered neither right nor wrong in its enforcement.
• 😀 The speaker describes brutal violence and mass killings, especially in relation to the fate of the left-wing under Indonesia's military regime.
• 😀 A personal account of the speaker’s trauma is conveyed, with imagery of sickness, tuberculosis, and societal collapse, painting a picture of the emotional toll of violence.
• 😀 The speaker recounts an incident on November 21, 1974, involving a chaotic and violent confrontation, with villagers complicit in cruelty, and the speaker’s eventual arrest on false charges.
• 😀 The violence is framed as a social and political disease, with the speaker’s body metaphorically 'collapsing' under the weight of the nation’s chaos and personal suffering.

Q & A

Who is the primary subject of the transcript?

The primary subject appears to be a farmer from Bojongsari, reflecting on personal experiences, national history, and social injustices in Indonesia.

What historical events are referenced in the transcript?

The transcript references the transition of Indonesian leadership from Sukarno to Suharto, the 1965-66 anti-communist purge, the massacre of six generals, and the broader political context of PKI suppression.

How does the speaker describe their personal life?

The speaker mentions living a simple life, planting their own rice, following a modest lifestyle, and being involved in family and village life.

What role do violence and trauma play in the transcript?

The transcript describes vivid experiences of violence, persecution, and massacre, reflecting trauma from political upheaval and human cruelty.

How are Indonesian culture and religion mentioned?

Indonesian culture and religion appear through references to Pancasila (the state philosophy), recitation of Yasin, dhikr, and traditional farming practices.

What symbolism is used in the transcript?

Symbols include the Garuda (national emblem), zither as a metaphor for pain and unity, and references to Mahabharata representing historical and moral struggles.

How does the speaker portray the government or authorities?

Authorities are depicted as authoritarian, violent, and unjust, with law being manipulated, people hunted, and public suffering ignored or exploited.

What themes of memory and witnessing are present?

Themes include remembrance of wounds, trauma, and injustice, attempting to record and process historical atrocities and personal suffering.

How does the transcript reflect the tension between safety and danger?

The transcript describes villagers and the speaker facing threats of arrest, violence, and forced compliance, highlighting constant danger amidst ordinary life.

What is the significance of the repeated 'Hi' in the transcript?

The repeated 'Hi' seems to function as a poetic or oral device, emphasizing attention, invoking presence, or addressing different subjects, from people to symbolic concepts.

What does the transcript suggest about collective memory in Indonesia?

It suggests that the collective memory is shaped by trauma, political violence, and the struggle to document and remember both personal and national suffering.