Javanese-Chinese Inscription as an Expression of Gratitude to the Wise Authority

What is the story of the relationship between Chinese people to live as Indonesian citizens and Yogyakarta Kingdom some decades ago? Many people have accounted for it, starting from the arrival of Chinese people before the fifteenth century for trading, at the early of the nineteenth century until the Second World War, to the early of the New Order and Post New-Order. However, speaking of the evidence, especially in the form of an inscription made in the twentieth century, it is difficult to find one outside of Yogyakarta area.

In Yogyakarta, you can find such an inscription, symbolizing good relationship between Chinese ethnic living in Indonesia and the indigenous inhabitants of Yogyakarta, especially the member of the Kingdom family. The place where you find the inscription is Tepas Hapitopuro, at the back of Traju Mas Hall, right in the center of the Kingdom. You will find it if you enter the Kingdom from Keben by spending IDR 5,000 for entrance ticket plus IDR 1,000 if you want to take pictures.

The Javanese-Chinese inscription is of square shape with 100 centimeters height and 80 centimeters width. Written on the inscription is the construction date, namely Min Khuo 29 of Chinese calendar, in the 3rd month, 18th day or 1942 A.D. Carved on the inscription writings saying "Jalma Wahana Dirada Hing Wungkulan" meaning 'someone riding an elephant on a round thing' denoting that the inscription was shipped directly from China in 1940.

Even though it is relatively a small stone located at a big hall, the inscription keeps many stories of the life of Javanese, Chinese, Japanese, Dutch and Indonesian people around the time it was made. The inscription is an expression of gratitude of Chinese people to the Kingdom family since they had been giving them protection and security for hundreds of years.

The first story, the inscription of which construction was pioneered by eight Chinese people, lead by Lie Ngo An as the leader of Chinese community in Yogyakarta, becomes the history witness of Japanese raid to China. The shipment of the stone as the raw material of the inscription was expected to arrive on time; however, since Chinese people were panic of the raid, the shipment experienced delay. Even though the shipment was late, the inscription could still had been handed punctually at the time of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX coronation.

The reason of the late hand over of the inscription is another story. By that time, Japanese troops initially ordered to attack China were ordered to attack Java areas, including Yogyakarta. The years after Japanese raid were filled with important moments such as Japanese colonization in Indonesia, Proclamation of Indonesian Independence and the war to defend the independence. Finally, the hand over of the inscription was cancelled as long as 12 years. It was kept in Liem Ing Hwie's house, one of the pioneers of its construction.

The inscription that originally was intended as gratitude got extra meaning as the commemoration of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono IX's governance, since it was handed over on 18 March 1952, right 12 years since his coronation. At that time, only five of the pioneers could come, since three of them had passed away. Other pioneers than Liem Ing Hwie and Lie Ngo An were Dr Sim Kie Ay, Ir Liem Ing Hwie, Lie Gwan Ho who owned a watch shop, Tan Ko Liat, Sie Kee Tjie and Tio Poo Kia, and Oen Tjoen Hok who run Oen Restaurant, one of legendary restaurants in Indonesia.

The expression of the gratitude of Chinese ethnic is explicitly written in the verses of kinanthi song (one form of traditional Javanese songs) saying "mangkya kinertyeng sela mrih, enget salami-laminya, rat raya masih lestari" that mean "thus, we carve this stone in order to express our long-lasting gratitude".

Text: Yunanto Wiji Utomo
Photo: Sigit Nugroho