SPAFA Journal

Film and Promotion of the Young Audience’s Cultural Participation in Thailand

Thanayod Lopattananont

The promotion of cultural engagement through film has been a longstanding national agenda in Thailand. This research investigated the effectiveness of this strategy specifically in targeting the youth audience. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the study combined a one-year observational period of a representative group, an analysis of cultural capitals, and a textual analysis of select film samples with document research. Our findings revealed that Thailand enjoys tremendous opportunity based upon its cultural attraction and filmmaking. However, the depiction of culture without the inherent value and entertainment has affected the young audience's attitudes towards the culture of Thailand, so has the low screening of film with the effective depiction of such value. The challenge is therefore to connect the young audience with the valuable properties and elements of Thai culture. We propose a set of strategies on grounds that film helps to reposition Thai culture from being less desirable to a worthwhile contribution to the young audience's identity. At the cornerstone of the suggested strategies are production, screening, and consumption of cultural contents.

FORT DU BUS: THE DUTCH FORT THAT FAILED IN WEST PAPUA'S TRITON BAY

Tini Suryaningsi

Fort du Bus is the only Dutch fort established in Papua and is not widely known in the history of colonialism in Indonesia. The failure of the Dutch fort was sporadic, but they failed to build a defence fort in Papua. How the fort was built, its function and strategic role in the colonial period, and its relationship with the local community are some of the problem points that this study tries to answer. Fort du Bus, as an archaeological finding, can complement the incomplete historical record. Data were obtained from a literature study, excavation, and field survey and then processed using the historical archaeology approach. The results obtained provide an overview of Fort de Bus's strategic functions as an observation post and security of trade routes, as well as a symbol of Dutch power in the Triton Bay area and the Papua region in general during the colonial period. Fort du Bus also served as an effort to establish trade relations with merchants from Maluku Island, Seram Island and surrounding areas. Fort du Bus failed due to the high mortality rate in the fort area due to various diseases and unfavourable conditions with the local population and indigenous traders around the fort area. The failure of the fort and its role was not by the wishes of the Dutch at that time, so the fort was demolished and razed to the ground. Today, a memorial has been built as a historical memorial to Fort du Bus, built right on the ruins of Fort du Bust.

The Story of Mighty Women: Analysis of the Construction of Women's Heroism in Indonesian and Vietnamese Folktales

Eggy Fajar Andalas

As a medium for transmitting values, many folklore researchers in various countries have found that folklore does not contain a neutral gender ideology. However, in recent studies of folklore in several countries it was found that female characters are not always depicted in a passive, weak and helpless position. These findings show another side that has not been widely discussed. This research aims to describe the construction of female heroism in Indonesian and Vietnamese folklore. This research uses a gender perspective with comparative literature methods. The research results show that cultural values and characteristics influence the concept of heroism. Overall, the differences between Indonesian and Vietnamese folklore reflect the differences in cultural values that are emphasized, where Indonesian folklore emphasizes the role of women in society as leaders and protectors, while Vietnamese folklore emphasizes the power of love and care for family and society as a form of concern for family and society as characteristics of social heroes.

Sebagai medium transmisi nilai banyak peneliti cerita rakyat di berbagai negara yang menemukan bahwa cerita rakyat tidaklah mengandung ideologi gender yang netral. Meskipun begitu, dalam studi terbaru cerita rakyat di beberapa negara ditemukan bahwa tokoh perempuan tidak selalu digambarkan dalam posisi yang pasif, lemah, dan tidak berdaya. Temuan ini menunjukkan sisi lain yang belum banyak dibahas. Penelitian ini bertujuan mendeskripsikan konstruksi kepahlawanan perempuan dalam cerita rakyat Indonesia dan Vietnam. Penelitian ini menggunakan perspektif gender dengan metode sastra bandingan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan nilai dan karakteristik budaya berpengaruh terhadap konsep kepahlawanan. Secara keseluruhan, perbedaan cerita rakyat Indonesia dan Vietnam mencerminkan perbedaan nilai budaya yang ditekankan, dimana cerita rakyat Indonesia menonjolkan peran perempuan dalam masyarakat sebagai pemimpin dan pelindung, sedangkan cerita rakyat Vietnam menekankan pada kekuatan cinta dan kepedulian terhadap keluarga dan masyarakat sebagai wujud kepedulian terhadap keluarga dan masyarakat sebagai karakteristik pahlawan sosial.

INHERITANCE STRATEGY OF BARIS BEBILA DANCE TO THE DISABLED GENERATION IN BENGKALA VILLAGE

Ida Ayu Trisnawati

This article discusses the inheritance of baris bebila dance performance art to the disabled generation in Bengkala Village. As a form of case study research, data were collected from various sources, such as direct observation or participation, interviews, physical artifacts, audiovisual materials, and archival records or documents. The results showed that the inheritance of the baris bebila dance to the disabled generation in Bengkalaamat Village was urgent: (a) to preserve baris bebila; (b) regeneration of difables in Bengkala Village as supporters of Baris bebila dance; (c) baris bebila dance becomes part of the identity of the difable generation in bengkala village; and (d) baris bebila dance as a tool for cultural and language education. Formally, baris bebila dance performance art is taught from elementary school to college. Informally, inheritance is carried out through families and art-culture studios, teaching cultural values from the performance art of baris bebila dance to the next generation, especially the difables in Bengkala village.

Geoarchaeological Investigations on the Ancient Kilns in the Sukhothai Kingdom, Northern Central Thailand

Vimoltip Singtuen

The Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in north-central Thailand, stands as a testament to the Sukhothai Kingdom's existence from the 13th to 14th centuries. Despite the prevalence of ancient kilns in the region, some lack comprehensive scientific documentation regarding their intended function. This study adopts a holistic approach, employing field investigations, sample characterizations, portable X-ray fluorescence geochemical analyses, and geomorphological interpretations to classify mineral deposits. Positioned along the laterite stream on the northern periphery of the historical park, five kilns display characteristics consistent with bloomery smelting, supported by their distinctive shapes. Macroscopic analysis of furnace slags reveals a metallic resemblance, with certain sections exhibiting vitreous and resinous lustres. The geological composition encompasses limestone with calcite veins and well-sorted nodular laterite. Geochemical assessments unveil a weak to moderate laterization process in laterites, with increased iron content arising from silica dissolution or reduction. Furnace slags exhibit heightened TiO2, Fe2O3, MnO, and S levels compared to limestone, indicating a plausible origin from laterite. Topographical and geological evaluations underscore the kiln's strategic proximity to a substantial river, facilitating the accumulation of iron-rich laterite. This substantiates the establishment of a furnace for iron smelting utilizing limestone as flux, aligning with observed slag characteristics featuring metal fragments, limestone pieces, and glass-like objects indicative of exposure to intense heat.

The Life Histories of Mahavihara Muarajambi as the Sriwijaya Buddhism Learning Center

Fitriaty

Muarajambi temple is the largest Hindu-Buddhist mahavihara complex in Southeast Asia, with an area of 3,981 hectares. Since its discovery in 1820 by S.C. Crooke until the early 2020s, the research that had been carried out generally focused on the function of temples as centers of religious ritual. However, the role and function of Muarajambi temple as an educational center (mahavihara) and the involvement of intellectual actors in it have never been studied systematically. This problem is essential to resolve because these intellectual actors have a significant role in the development and decline of Muarajambi. To answer this problem, this research uses archaeological and historical data in archaeological remains and ancient records about Muarajambi. All of this data was analyzed using an agency network theory approach to identify the role of intellectual actors in Muarajambi. The research results show that intellectual actors in Muarajambi come from Srivijaya, India, and China. These intellectual actors brought knowledge of religion, culture, and technology to be developed in Muarajambi. The various scientific disciplines ultimately made Muarajambi the most influential educational center in Southeast Asia for 300 years, from the 9th to 12th centuries AD.