Aksara Ulu di Sumatera Selatan | Nuzulur Ramadhona | TEDxKambang Iwak

Introduction to Aksara Ulu

• Aksara Ulu is a unique script with a 45-degree angle, and its uniqueness also lies in its various names, including Aksara Basemah, Aksara Kom, and Rencong, as referred to by Western researchers (2m21s).
• Aksara Ulu originated from the Uluan region in Sumatera Selatan and is a traditional writing system that developed in the area (50s).
• The region of Sumatera Selatan was divided into two areas: Hilir, which is now the city of Palembang, and Hulu, which includes areas like Lahat, Pagar Alam, and its surroundings (1m13s).
• Aksara Ulu is written on various media, including kulit kayu, bambu, gelondongan bambu, potongan-potongan bambu, gelumpai, kertas, tanduk, and kulit kerap (2m41s).
• Aksara Ulu is considered an important part of the region's cultural heritage and identity, and its preservation is crucial for the younger generation (3m6s).
• The script is at risk of disappearing, with few people knowledgeable about it, and it is essential for the current generation to take steps to preserve it (3m34s).
• Aksara Ulu serves as a symbol of identity and cultural heritage, and its preservation can help introduce the region's unique culture to others (4m52s).
• The preservation of Aksara Ulu is also important for the region's history, as it is a part of the cultural heritage that has been passed down through generations (4m37s).
• Aksara Ulu is a vital part of the region's cultural identity, and its preservation can help the younger generation understand and appreciate their cultural heritage (4m41s).
• The script's uniqueness and importance make it essential to preserve and promote it as a part of the region's cultural heritage (5m53s).

Historical Significance and Preservation of Aksara Ulu

• Aksara Ulu is an important part of history, with artifacts, manuscripts, and media serving as evidence of its existence and significance to the culture, containing information on various topics such as medicine, territorial boundaries, and Islamic teachings (6m17s).
• The contents of these manuscripts can be used to preserve Aksara Ulu, and academics can play a crucial role in this effort by studying and promoting the scripts (7m0s).
• Research on Aksara Ulu reveals that Muslim scholars in the region spread Islamic teachings while embracing local culture, as seen in the discovery of manuscripts with Islamic content written in Aksara Ulu (7m41s).
• One such manuscript, found in the Hujan Mas, begins with the phrase "Bismillah ahmanirrahim," demonstrating the blending of Islamic and local cultural influences (7m53s).
• Another manuscript, stored in the Sumatera Selatan State Museum, showcases the akulturasi (cultural blending) of Aksara Ulu, with Javanese language and Islamic content written in Aksara Ulu script (8m4s).
• The importance of learning Aksara Ulu lies in its potential to promote cultural identity and appreciation, much like the scripts of China, Japan, and Korea have gained international recognition (8m31s).
• Three key factors contribute to the preservation and promotion of Aksara Ulu: a community that values culture, a supportive government, and economic factors, such as incorporating local scripts into product designs (8m51s).
• The preservation of Aksara Ulu is crucial, as it allows future generations to learn from and appreciate the cultural heritage of their ancestors, and it is the responsibility of the current generation to revive and promote this script (11m3s).

Origins and Revival Efforts

• The creation of Aksara Ulu is believed to have been influenced by earlier scripts, such as the Palawa script, and was used by past generations to record their history, culture, and knowledge (10m38s).
• Efforts to preserve Aksara Ulu are ongoing, with individuals like Pak Ahmad Rap Igama, Pak Sarwono, and Pak Suandi contributing to its revival, and it is up to the current generation to continue this work and complete the "puzzle" of Aksara Ulu (12m3s).

Modern Applications and Spread of Aksara Ulu

• Aksara Ulu, an ancient script, has been developed for various modern uses, such as filmmaking, background design, and animation (12m31s).
• Research has been conducted to gather data on the spread of Aksara Ulu, which has been found to be present in several areas of Sumatera Selatan, including Banyuasin, Pagaralam, Empat Lawang, Musi Banyuasin, Musi Rawas, and surrounding areas (12m50s).
• The script was documented by outsiders, including the Dutch, with one notable example being William, who recorded Aksara Ulu without prior knowledge of the script (13m36s).

Documentation and Manuscripts

• A unique manuscript found in the National Library tells the story of a Malay sailor named Hudamaya Dar Tapak Anak Depa Tua Cuc, who traveled to various countries, including China, Arabia, and possibly India (13m59s).
• According to the book "Khazana Naskah Sedunia Indonesia" by Henry Champerlo and Omar Fathurrahman, there are approximately 400 Aksara Ulu manuscripts, but further research suggests that there may be over a thousand (15m0s).
• Aksara Ulu is believed to have originated in the 12th century and was used until the early 19th century, making it a significant part of the region's cultural heritage (15m44s).
• Many of the existing manuscripts are not in good condition, and it is essential to educate the public on how to preserve these valuable historical documents (16m5s).

Unique Characteristics and Further Research

• Research on Aksara Ulu has revealed its unique characteristics, including its origin from a 45-degree line, which can be added to create new lines and characters (16m48s).
• The script contains the word "raja," which may have a specific meaning that can be interpreted by future generations (17m11s).
• Further research is needed to complete the puzzle of Aksara Ulu, and efforts are being made to create a comprehensive understanding of the script (17m40s).

Modern Development and Learning Resources

• Aksara Ulu Sumatera Selatan has been created, and it is hoped that this will contribute to the preservation and promotion of the script (18m8s).
• A book on the Ulu script was created, which took around a year to make, and it has been purchased by friends who were able to learn and write the Ulu script in just one day (18m49s).
• The goal is to make learning the Ulu script easier, reducing the time it takes to learn from two years to just 10 minutes (19m14s).
• A replica of the Ulu script was created on bamboo, which was a challenging task that took three months to complete, with the most difficult part being the engraving process (20m0s).
• Collaboration is necessary to preserve the Ulu script, and efforts have been made to work with Binadarma, which has created an application for the Ulu script, as well as a website (20m29s).
• A community, Perkumpulan Aksara Ulu, has been established, and a website, aksaraulu.com, has been created to provide information on the Ulu script, although it is still under development (20m47s).

Community Efforts and Activities

• The community has received funding from the Ministry of Education and Culture for their activities, including the development of a puzzle game using the Ulu script, and has won third place in a regional competition (21m26s).
• The community has used the prize money to establish a legal entity and has been recognized as a community with a strong foundation (21m58s).
• The logo of the community is based on the history of the Ulu script, which originated in the Ulu region, including the mountains and rivers (22m7s).
• The community has organized various activities, including learning and working with the Ulu script, and plans to expand its activities to schools (22m22s).
• The community has also organized a batik-making activity and has received funding from the Ministry of Education and Culture for this project (22m50s).
• The community has also collaborated with the Balai Pelestarian Wilayah 6 in Sumatera Selatan to organize a bamboo-writing activity (23m3s).
• The goal is to preserve the Ulu script and to make it more accessible to the younger generation, and to promote cultural awareness and appreciation (23m27s).

Call to Action and Importance of Cultural Heritage

• The younger generation is encouraged to take an interest in preserving their cultural heritage, as it is an important part of their identity (23m34s).
• The importance of culture is emphasized, and its value is highlighted as something that can be gained by learning about it, starting from oneself (23m52s).

Personal Journey and Advocacy for Aksara Ulu

• The individual has been involved in various activities to introduce and promote the Aksara Ulu, including a task in a course on Aksara Ulu, where they made a promise to their father to preserve and promote the Aksara Ulu (24m12s).
• The goal is to share knowledge about the Aksara Ulu with others, rather than being the only person who knows about it, and progress has been made since 2016, with the individual's efforts contributing to its development (24m44s).
• The individual's dream is for the Aksara Ulu to become well-known globally and to be revived in the South Sumatra region (25m15s).
• The individual, Nuzul Rahmadana, has been recognized as an inspirational figure in Kompas, which is a realization of their dream (25m11s).