WOMEN, CULTURE AND IDENTITY (A REFLECTION OF KARTINI’S STRUGGLE FOR THE LIBERATION OF INDONESIAN WOMEN - AN ANTHROPOLOGICAL STUDY)

Abstract

Kartini’s life reflects the development of her thought and action as an Indonesian women who faced womanhood, as well as Javanese society and culture that regarded women as inferior. Kartini critically inquired and questioned the rules that had to be obeyed by women of Javanese culture. She was succeeded in manifesting her goals, ambition, and great ideas that could encourage and inspire women’s struggle. Kartini’s awareness is one of the steps of feminist consciousness. She argued that women oppression could no longer be tolerated. Based on methodological and theoretical point of view related to this concept, a woman’s experiences and actions have to be seen in the context of her culture and era. Kartini’s decision rooted in her ability as a constructive feminist to make a mature consideration toward her own position in the context of her culture and era. Indonesian society has regarded Kartini as one of feminism pioneers in Indonesia and has made her a feminism model who has inspired the present Indonesian women a lot.