In thisway it is hoped to be able to give a more critical view of historical events
of local or provincial relevance which may encourage people of all levels
to study their history.
The results of such studies are then made known. The subjects may be
used for books and articles aimed at various levels of education. Through
this programme material is acquired for writing textbooks and reading
matter for schools, youth libraries, and literacy programmes, both for
adults and children. The more scientific reports are dealt with in the
relevant journals and other suitable publications.
Through thk programme, a six-volume National History of Indonesia
has been written, which has already been reprinted three times. It is now
considered to need re-editing, which is being done at present.
Included among the results achieved in this programme to date
(1981/82) are the following items:
1. Recording of: (a) historical events in connection with national movements
in the provinces; (b) samples of local education; (c) youth
movements; (d) local struggles against the colonial government.
2. Publication of: (a) lives of various national heroes of the struggle for
Independence; (b) local histories in various fields; (c) lives of local
heroes in the War of Independence.
3. Consultations in the field of historical films: (a) the life of Kartini
(national hero of women’s liberation); (b) local struggle against the
colonial government in West Sumatra, and others.
The programme also includes scientific seminars on history. Two seminars
were held in 1981/82: one on national history, convened in Jakarta, and
the other on local history, held at Denpasar, Bali. Historians from all over
Indonesia were invited. The seminar on local history was divided into two
parts: local history as such, and local history in relation to the national
movement for Independence.
The provincial offices of the Directorate of History and Traditional
Values are also very active. The oftice in Yogyakarta, for instance, in the
same fiscal year (1981/82) finished a manuscript on the history of national
development programmes in the villages around Yogyakarta and its
impact on the population. The branch in Ujungpandang has documented
the names given to various village administrations together with the
relevant background. In this, as in other work, close co-operation is always
maintained with scientific institutions and local universities.