History of Indonesia National Hero - Raden Ajeng Kartini (RA Kartini)

R.A Kartini

History of Indonesia National Hero - Raden Ajeng Kartini (RA Kartini). R.A Kartini was born on April 21, 1879 in Jepara City, her birthday was commemorated as Kartini Day to honor the service of RA Kartini to Indonesian people. Kartini full name is Raden Ajeng Kartini Djojo Adhiningrat.

Regarding the history of RA Kartini and the life story of Kartini, he was born in the midst of a noble family therefore he obtained RA (Raden Ajeng) in front of his name, the title itself (Raden Ajeng) used by Kartini before he married, when married then the noble titles used are RA (Raden Ayu) according to Javanese tradition.

His father was named R.M. Sosroningrat, son of Prince Ario Tjondronegoro IV, a noble who served as jepara regent, he is the grandfather of R.A Kartini. His father R.M. Sosroningrat is a respected person because of his position at that time as the regent of Jepara when Kartini was born.

His mother named M.A. Ngasirah, is the son of a religious teacher in Telukawur, Jepara City. Historically, Kartini is a descendant of Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono VI, some even say that his father's lineage comes from the Majapahit kingdom.

Mrs. R.A Kartini is M.A. Ngasirah itself is not a descendant of nobility, but only ordinary people, therefore Dutch colonial rule when it requires a Regent should marry the nobleman too, until finally Kartini's father then married a woman named Raden Adjeng Woerjan who is a direct descendant of the king of Madura at the time.

R.A Kartini himself has a brother of 10 people consisting of siblings and half-brothers. She is the fifth child, but she is the eldest of 11 siblings. As a nobleman, R.A Kartini is also entitled to an education.

Regarding RA Kartini's education history, his father sends Kartini to the ELS (Europese Lagere School). This is where Kartini then studied Dutch and attended school there until she was 12 years old because then according to the habit at that time, the daughter must stay at home to establish a tradition of  "Dipingit"

Note : "Dipingit is a term usually applied to the bride and groom in order not to go anywhere. The point is that the bride safely monitored and fresh fit."

R.A kartini and women's emancipation

Despite being at home, R.A Kartini was active in correspondence or correspondence with a friend who was in Holland because he was also fluent in Dutch. From here on, Kartini became interested in the mindset of European women she read from newspapers, magazines and books she read.

Until then he began to think to try to promote indigenous women because in his mind the position of indigenous women still lagging far behind or having a fairly low social status at that time.

RA Kartini reads much of her Dutch-language newspapers or magazines in her Dutch-speaking languages, in her twenties, she even reads many of Louis Coperus's De Stille Kraacht, Van Eeden's Augusta de Witt and feminist-style romances all dutch, and he also read Multatuli's Max Havelaar and Love Letters.

"Agama harus menjaga kita daripada berbuat dosa, tetapi berapa banyaknya dosa diperbuat orang atas nama agama itu - (R.A Kartini)"

"Religion must take care of us rather than sin, but how many sins people commit in the name of that religion - (R.A Kartini)"

His interest in reading then makes Kartini has considerable knowledge of science and culture, R.A Kartini gives special attention to the issue of women's emancipation to see the comparison between European women and indigenous women.

In addition he is also concerned with the social problems that occur according to him, a woman needs to obtain equality, freedom, autonomy and equality of law.

Letters that Kartini wrote more in the form of complaints about the condition of indigenous women where he saw examples of Javanese culture that at that time more inhibit the progress of the native women at that time. He also revealed in his writings that there are many obstacles faced by indigenous women especially in Java in order to be more advanced.

Kartini writes about the suffering of women in Java as having to be secluded, not free in studying or learning, and the existence of customs that curb the freedom of women.

The noble aspiration of R.A Kartini is that she wants to see indigenous women to study and learn as they are today. New ideas about emancipation or equality of indigenous women though Kartini, are regarded as new things that can change the views of society. In addition, the writings of Kartini also contains about the meaning of Godhead, Wisdom and Beauty, humanity fairies and also Nationalism. This is the specialty of RA Kartini. 

Kartini also mentioned religion, for example, she questioned why men can be polygamous, and why it should be read and memorized without the need to understand it.

Her Dutch lady friend Rosa Abendanon, and Estelle "Stella" Zeehandelaar also support the thoughts expressed by R.A Kartini. History says that Kartini was allowed by her father to become a teacher according to ideals but she was forbidden to continue her studies to study in Batavia or to the Netherlands.

Until finally, he could not continue his dream of either studying to become a teacher in Batavia or studying in Holland even though he received a scholarship to study there because in 1903 when R.A Kartini was about 24 years old, he was married to K.R.M. Duke Ario Singgih Djojo Adhiningrat who is a nobleman and also a Regent in Rembang who has had three wives.

However, R.A Kartini Husband, K.R.M. Adipati Ario Singgih Djojo Adhiningrat understood what R.A KArtini wanted to be so he was then given the freedom to establish the first female school which then stood next to the government office of Rembang Regency which is now known as the Scout Building.

R.A Kartini wedding until Kartini death

From his marriage to K.R.M. Duke Arijo Singgih Djojo Adhiningrat, RA Kartini then gave birth to a son named Soesalit Djojoadhiningrat who was born on September 13, 1904. However, sadly, a few days later after giving birth to his first child, RA Kartini then died on September 17, 1904 at a very young age 24 years old. He was then buried in Bulu Village, Rembang District.

Thanks to his struggle later in 1912, the Women's School was founded by the Kartini Foundation in Semarang then expanded to Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Malang, Madiun, Cirebon and other areas. The school was later named "Kartini School" to honor its services. Kartini Foundation is a family of Van Deventer, a figure of Ethical Politics in the Dutch colonial era.

The publication of the book 'Habis Gelap Terbitlah Terang'

After the death of R.A Kartini, then a Dutch man named J.H. Abendanon, then Minister of Culture, Religion and Crafts of the Dutch East Indies began collecting letters ever written by R.A Kartini when he was active in correspondence with his friends who were in Europe at that time.

From there it was compiled a book originally entitled 'Door Duisternis tot Licht' which was later translated with the title From Darkness to Light which appeared in 1911. The book was printed five times, and on the fifth print there were letters written by Kartini.

The thoughts expressed by Kartini then attracted a lot of public attention when it was mainly Dutch because the writing of the letters was a native woman.

His thinking changed the mindset of the Dutch community of the native woman at that time. His writings were also an inspiration for Indonesian characters such as W.R Soepratman who later wrote a song called 'Ibu Kita Kartini'. This is one of the achievements of RA Kartini.

On the services of RA Kartini, President Soekarno himself at that time issued an instruction in the form of Presidential Decree of the Republic of Indonesia No.108 of 1964, on May 2, 1964, containing the determination of Kartini as National Hero of Independence, Soekarno also set Kartini's birthday precisely on 21 April, commemorated as Kartini Day until now.