Cultural inventory
As with the other programmes, the cultural inventory programme covers
more than one directory and centre, as it is concerned with the recording
and inventory of many local cultures.
Making an inventory of local cultures incorporates all the aspects
that have developed throughout history, including archaeology and other
socio-cultural features. Extensive knowledge is needed to understand the
underlying currents of socio-cultural behaviour which may help to solve
present-day problems.
Research work on the history of the Indonesian people, as well as on
archaeological and historical remains, has been conducted intensively
since 1976. The research activities bave dealt with all parts of Indonesia.
Some of the results have been published nationally in approximately
130 books, and a number of articles have been written for foreign journals.
The cultural inventory programme has provided personnel and offices
in the provinces, to assist the corresponding directorates and centres in
Jakarta. In addition to the provincial branches already mentioned, there
is the National Centre for Cultural Information established in Jakarta
for which Unesco assistance was received in the initial stage. The centre
collects all kinds of information on Indonesian culture by audio-visual
means, written and spoken records, manuscripts, etc.
In this programme, films, videotapes, audiotapes and cassettes have
been made on an as yet modest scale, in addition to books and magazines
which are published regularly. Older film productions (such as those made
during Dutch colonial times) considered to be important for the programme
of cultural inventory are copied for study and other purposes.
Among such old films are those on Javanese customs and culture dating
from the 1930s which are in the possession of the Sonobudoyo Museum at Yogyakarta. Copies have been, and are still being, made at the National
Archives, for use both by the archives as well as the National Centre
collection. In co-operation with some foreign countries, a number of
personnel have been sent abroad for on-the-job training in audio-visual
aids.
Local religious beliefs
The programme includes: inventory, study, documentation and evaluation
of the various beliefs; guidance and information for those interested;
development of technical staff; formulation of a national policy concerning
these beliefs.
Research and bibliographical studies are conducted in order to understand
the different concepts. Care is taken that destructive superstitions
are not tolerated in these local beliefs. Thus, it is explicitly stated that
the beliefs involved should concem a trust in God.
The final objective is to promote mutual understanding between the
proponents of such beliefs and those of the established religions, to
encourage a national equilibrium that is the ideal of the Indonesian concept
of culture.