Yogyakarta, January 30, 2026 - The multidisciplinary research team of Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI) Yogyakarta conducted a field visit to the center of the Bonokeling Indigenous Community in Pekuncen Village, Jatilawang District, Banyumas Regency. This activity was carried out after the team passed the Expression of Interest (EoI) selection in the Bestari-Saintek 2026 program from Kemdiktisaintek, as well as a step to accelerate the maturation of the research proposal.
The visit was part of strengthening the substance of the proposal entitled “Visualizing the National Self: Synergy of Bonokeling Indigenous People's Philosophical Values as a Source of Inspiration for Batik Motifs, Animation Content, and Comics through a Sustainable Community-led Living Labs (CoLL) Approach.”
The delegation led by Dr. Samuel Gandang Gunanto, S.Kom., M.T. was welcomed by Ki Sumitro, the Customary Chief as well as the Key Kyai of Bonokeling Indigenous Community. The meeting that took place in Bale Mangu was utilized to explore historical information and philosophical values of the community, including the history of Eyang Bonokeling which is associated with the Kadipaten Pasir Luhur and the lineage of the Pajajaran Kingdom.
On that occasion, Dr. Samuel emphasized that the blessing of indigenous peoples is an important foothold for the continuation of research. The field data obtained will be used to strengthen the final draft proposal, which is targeted for submission by January 31, 2026, as the next step towards selection for full funding.
The research team consists of eight cross-disciplinary ISI Yogyakarta lecturers, namely: Dr. Samuel Gandang Gunanto, S.Kom., M.T. (Chair), Dr. Sugeng Wardoyo, M.Sn., Tri Wulandari, S.Sn., M.A., Rahmat Aditya Warman, S.Pd., M.Eng., Beni Pusanding Tuah, S.P., M.Sn., Nurhadi, M.Sn., Akhmad Syaiful Anwar, S.Ds., M.Ds., and Ginanjar Setyo Nugroho, S.Kom., M.Kom.
This research places indigenous people as the main subjects through the Community-led Living Labs (CoLL) approach. The team also emphasized a commitment to research ethics, especially regarding the protection of the sacred/secret aspects (keleman) of Bonokeling teachings. Therefore, the design of the documentation system is planned to prioritize customary privacy, including an encrypted storage scheme so that sacred materials remain protected, while noble values such as Monembah, Moguru, Mongabdi, and Makaryo can be processed into inspiration for creative works responsibly.
Through this visit, ISI Yogyakarta hopes that the proposal will be stronger at the substance selection stage and can contribute significantly to the efforts to preserve the local wisdom of the Bonokeling Indigenous People through ethical and impactful creative works.
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