Spirit of Java

Name : Trisakti Agriani

NIM     :105110100111020

Spirit of Java

           

            I am Javanese girl. Solo often called Surakarta is the neighbor city of Jogjakarta in Central Java, Indonesia. Actually there are some similarities between Solo as my hometown and Jogjakarta. Why I can briefly say so, yes of course. Both of these two cities are known as Heritage City. Because in that city, there are Karaton Palace. Karaton Solo and Karaton Jogjakarta are trace of reign Majapahit in Java Island was later replaced by Islamic Kingdom to Kasunanan Surakarta which was located in Solo and Jogjakarta Sultanate which was founded in the city of Jogjakarta. History has shown that Solo and Jogjakarta have a close relationship. Because of that reason, we can say that Solo and Jogjakarta have similarities. But, in my opinion, they have far more differences than similarities. In this case, I will explain more detail about three differences in which make Solo and Yogyakarta different.

            The first differences are about the traditional cuisines from these towns. If, in Solo, there is Nasi Liwet Wongso Lemu that is open until early evening. It is an authentic food which has savory rice with tasty areh (special cooked coconut milk) usually served on Banana Leaf or pincuk. In Yogyakarta, there is Gudeg Ceker Yu Djum that is only open until early night. Gudeg Ceker is a delicious food which made from young jackfruit cooked in coconut milk with special spices.

            Furthermore, about tourism object in these two cities. Precisely in Solo, there is an important archeological site, namely Sangiran. In that place, it was found the primordial man who lived in Java Island a million years ago. Half of all primordial man fossils in the world were found in Sangiran. Therefore, UNESCO established Sangiran as World Heritage Site. Moreover, In Solo, precisely at the foot of Mount Lawu which is not far from the city of Solo, there are Sukuh and Cetho temples. Sukuh Temple is one of the most interesting temples in Southeast Asia. Its architecture resembles a Mayan tribe’s stepped pyramid in Central America. The most unique part of this temple is that Cetho and Sukuh temples were the last temples built in Java Island along with the downfall of Majapahit Kingdom and the influence of Hindhu. But, when we talk about Jogjakarta, there are some tourism objects too. One of them is Borobudur temple; it is located in Magelang, approximately 10 km north of Jogjakarta. Borobudur temple is the oldest temples, built in the 8^th century. Beside Borobudur temple, there are Sindoro – Sumbing Valley, some of the most spectacular countryside we will ever see. In that place, we will see beautiful scenery as we drive through the tea and tobacco plantation.

             The next difference is that if in Solo, there is Laweyan Batik Village where is the place of “Batik Arisan” for centuries. Moreover, in this place the tourist can directly try and learn how to make Batik Cloth. The achievement of Solo in Batik for example is truly remarkable. While in Jogjakarta, there is “Kota Gede Village” where is the place of “Silver Jewelry Handmade”. It is very complete place for hunting typical kinds of Silver from Jogjakarta.

            Well, although there are few similarities between Solo and Jogjakarta. I think that the differences are more obvious. Yes, indeed these two cities are the Cradle of Javanese Culture; no doubt again that we can call these two cities is The Spirit of Java.