Title: Myth, Mysticism and Spirituality in "Saman" and "Rikmadenda Mencari Tuhan"Submitted by: Marshall Clark, University of Tasmania, AustraliaIn Ayu Utami's "Saman", some of the most haunting passages of the novel betray strong and intriguing resonances with certain characters and plots of the wayang shadow puppet theatre. In this sense Ayu's novel is 'mythopoeic,' recreating and extending mythology. As a consequence, the intimate relationship between myth, spirituality and the wider social and cultural issues inscribed in "Saman" suggests that we can only begin to understand the full depth of the text by first taking into account its mythic dimension. Similarly, Ajip Rosidi's wayang novel, "Rikmadenda Mencari Tuhan", borrows, reflects and transforms myth and mythical heroes in an attempt to explore some of the more mystical elements of the link between human endeavour and religious faith, in this case the Islamic faith. Ultimately we will find that by focusing first of all on the mythical dimensions of these texts we will be able to gain a broader insight into not only some of the guiding moral assumptions of New Order Indonesia, but also into some of the alternatives. Return to Abstracts menuCarol Burnett Phone: 61 - 3 - 9349 1899 Email: c.burnett@asialink.unimelb.edu.au
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