FAHMINA

ISIF (Institut Studi Islam Fahmina/Fahmina Moslem Institute) is a unique campus with society as the learning
base, and make the humanity, justice, equality, and local culture as perspective tool to develop Islamic Study.
Because of that, Fahmina make human rights, democracy study, gender, pluralism, and local culture as
compulsory subjects for students.
Fahmina held some internship and deal cooperation in some universities : Universitat Passau Germany,
Universitat Heidelberg Germany, Universitat Bamburg Germany, Universitat Leipzig Germany, International
Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Mujamma’ al-Kaftaru Damascuss Syria, Royal Holloway University of
London, Australian National University (ANU) Canberra Australia, Sekolah Tinggi Teologi (STT) Jakarta,
Program S2 Studi Wanita UI Jakarta, STAI at-Taqwa Gresik, STAIN Salatiga, International Public Policy
Sydney Australia, etc.
Various religious leaders, Moslem and non-moslem, community, and others visited ISIF which located on
nature vicinity. The three pillars of college are : education, research, and devotion for people. With a lot of
supports, this progressive campus keeps growing and developing with steady academic steps.

ANGKLUNG
The angklung is a musical instrument from Indonesia made of a varying number of bamboo tubes attached to a
bamboo frame. The tubes are carved to have a resonant pitch when struck and are tuned to octaves, similar to
American handbells. The base of the frame is held in one hand, whilst the other hand shakes the instrument.
This causes a repeating note to sound. Each of three or more performers in an angklung ensemble play just one
note or more, but altogether complete melodies are produced.
The angklung is popular throughout Southeast Asia, but it originated in what is now West
Java and Banten provinces in Indonesia, and has been played by the Sundanese for many centuries. Angklung
and its music has become the cultural identity of Sundanese communities in West Java and Banten.[1] Playing
the angklung as an orchestra requires cooperation and coordination, and is believed to promote the values of
teamwork, mutual respect and social harmony.
On November 18, 2010, UNESCO officially recognized the Indonesian angklung as a Masterpiece of Oral and
Intangible Heritage of Humanity, and encouraged the Indonesian people and the Indonesian government to
safeguard, transmit, promote performances and to encourage the craftsmanship of angklung
(Wikipedia, 2017)

Batik Mega Mendung

Batik Megamendung is the traditional batik and the batik icon from Indonesia, especially from Cirebon. This
batik is so popular that it has even been made into a book cover by Pepin van Roojen, a writer who resides in
Holland. The uniqueness is not only from the cloud motive but also the philosophy inside it which is related to
the history of Cirebon. Komarudin Kudiya S.IP, M.Ds, the chairman of West Java Batik Foundation said :
“The motive of Megamendung is about divine creation and full of value, therefore the use of the motive should
be maintained and placed correctly. This statement is not to limit how Megamendung is produced, but more to
disagreement of using the motive to things that are actually not proper, as a sandals cover for example.”
The history is based from the book and literature when Chinese came to Cirebon. In the 16 th century, Sunan
Gunung Jati preaches Islam in Cirebon, and married Quenn Ong Tien from China. There was some art brought
from China, such as ceramic, plate, and a fabric with a cloud motive. Based from Taoism theory, cloud
symbolize the world and has transcendental theory (divinity). This concept also influence Moslem artistry in
16th century, used by Sufi people.
The marriage of Sunan Gunung Jati with Ratu Ong Tien became the gate of entrance of Chinese tradition into
Cirebon Palace. When they made the batik, they put Chinese tradition and culture into the motive, combining it
with Cirebon touch, so that there was a difference between the motive from China and Cirebon. For instances,
China’s motive has a cloud line with a sphere or circle line, meanwhile Cirebon has oval , sharp (taper), and
triangle.
The history also related in development of “tarekat” movement centered in Banjarmasin, South Borneo. Tarekat
people who made Batik as their daily jobs, stayed in Trusmi village, 4 km from Cirebon. Until now, Batik
Cirebon is also known as Batik Trusmi.
Megamendung’s motive used to have blue color combined with red, which symbolize masculinity and dynamic
feel. The tarekat men are the ones who made the color. Blue can also symbolize the sky, friendly, and solemnity,
also as a symbol of rain which believed could bring life. Now, the motive has been modified to follow the
market demand, by using animal motive, floral, etc. The development was and still fast, because of the influence
of fashion designers.
(Wikipedia (translated), 2017)

Sintren

Sintren is known as a mystical dance sourced from love story of Sulasih and Sulandono. The romance
was not sanctioned by Ki Bahurekso as Sulandono’s father. Sulandono left to became a hermit and
Sulasih became the dancer. They always meet through magical realm. Sulandono’s mother, the
Goddess Rantamsari, was the one that arranged the mystical meeting between the two lovers. She
put fairy soul inside Sulasih and during that moment, Rantamsari soul called R. Sulandono and the
meeting happened.

Hence the story, during the sintren dance, the dancer must be penetrated by some kind of spirit by
the instructor, with a note that the dancer must be virgin. The dancer enters the chicken cage,
covered with white cloth, and the instructor walks around the cage by saying a spell summoning
Lanjar to enter the dancer body. If it succeeded, the dancer will become pretty and dance. Then
people who watch will throw money towards the dancer. When the money hit the dancer, she will
become weak. This means to people for not giving a priority to mundane things, such as money.

Rampak Kendang

Rampak kendang is one of the traditional dance from West Java. “Rampak” is from Sunda meaning
“serempak” or togetherness. Rampak Kendang always played by two or more people. Kendang is the
main instrument which serves as the rhythm, while the other instruments are rebab, guitar, and
gamelan. Together, they played energically. Rampak Kendang represents the modesty of Sundanese
people. It has philosophic value, living in harmony and joyfulness.