By: Wilis Rengganiasih Endah Ekowati, M.A.*

Central Java is well-known for its sophisticated arts and cultures, especially those coming from the courts of Kasunanan Surakarta and Kasultanan Yogyakarta as the principal courts. Bedhaya, a genre of dances of Central Java, is believed to be the oldest dance and acclaimed to be the privilege of the courts. The history of its conception tells that all the bedhaya and (the later genre) srimpi dances have their ancestor in the most sacred bedhayas: Bedhaya Semang in Kasultanan Yogyakarta and Bedhaya Ketawang in Kasultanan Surakarta. Some literatures record these sacred dances originating in the New Mataram era with its Islamic tradition, and the Panembahan Senapati or Sultan Agung as the founder. But there are other records suggesting that the history of the bedhayas can be traced back to the older period of Hindu kingdoms, though the form of the dances are no longer available.

The speaker for the next CRCS&ICRS Wednesday Forum is Sita Hidayah, M.A. Sita Hidayah is CRCS Student. She earned her M.A. at Florida International University in 2007. Her thesis titled

If you are interested in the theme “Religious Discourse, Social Cohesion and Conflict From Religious Studies to Inter-religious Studies”, please join CRCS&ICRS Wednesday Forum. The discussion will be held on Wednesday, April 9, 2008, at the Graduate School of Gadjah Mada University, third floor, room 306, at 13:00 to 15:00. The key speaker will be Prof. Frans Wijsen.

Prof. Frans Wijsen studied theology in Heerlen and Nijmegen, where he obtained his Ph.D. in 1992. From 1984 till 1988 he conducted fieldwork in Tanzania. In 1988 he was appointed lecturer in science of religion and mission at the University for Theology and Pastorate in Heerlen. In 1992 he joined the Faculty of Theology in Nijmegen. Presently, Frans Wijsen is Professor of World Christianity and Interreligious Relations in the Faculty of Religious Studies, Professor of Missions Studies in the Faculty of Theology, and Director of the Nijmegen Institute for Mission Studies

The next CRCS&ICRS Wednesday Forum will talk about “Christian-Muslim Relations in the Philippines: Perspectives for Inter-religious Dialogue”. The discussion will be held on Wednesday, March 26, 2008. The key speaker will be Jerson Benia Narciso. Jerson Benia Narciso is a doctor candidate in religious studies at Indonesian Consortium for Religious Studies (ICRS). He earned his Master of Divinity in 1995 at Central Philippine University, Jaro, Iloilo Citi, Philippines and Master of Theology at the South East Asia Graduate School of Theology in May 2006. Jerson Benia Narciso has been involved in numerous advocacy works for peace and human rights and other political and ethical issues affecting the lives of the Filipino. He has also served as a local church pastor under the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches for more than 11 years.

If you are interested in the theme

“Fulbright and the Cultural Politics of Interfaith Action” is the theme, which will be presented at CRCS&ICRS Wednesday Forum. Discussion will be held on Wednesday, March 5, 2008. The key speaker will be Dr. Farsijana Adeney-Risakotta.

Farsijana Adeney-Risakotta is a head of LPPM (Institute for Research and Community Development) at Duta Wacana Christian University (DWCU), Yogyakarta, Indonesia and a general secretary, District of Sleman, Indonesian Women