WEST JAVA —— Honoring parents and the elderly is one of the charitable programs run by Dompet Dhuafa. Through Suluk Nusantara, located at Depok Mulya 1, Blok K, No. 90, Beji, Depok, Dompet Dhuafa has brought together elderly people to empower them so that they can continue to contribute to the development of the nation. Specifically through arts and culture, the elderly continue to develop the wealth of the Indonesian nation. The Suluk Nusantara studio is a place for people from all walks of life to express themselves.
On Saturday (June 4, 2022), Dompet Dhuafa and Suluk Nusantara held a Halal Bi Halal (HBH) event and presented Krida Lansia. Present at the occasion were Parni Hadi as the Initiator and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dompet Dhuafa Republika Foundation, Bambang Wiwoho and Trusti Mulyono as Trustees of Suluk Nusantara, Ahmad Shonhaji as Director of Da’wah, Culture, and Community Service at Dompet Dhuafa, Iskandar Ismanaji as Chairman of the Suluk Nusantara Studio, Herdy as Director of Digdaya Dinamika Publika, as well as dozens of elderly people from various backgrounds and young cultural activists.
The initiator and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Dompet Dhuafa Republika Foundation, Parni Hadi, in his speech invited the elderly to reject the notion that they are lonely and incapable of doing anything. He emphasized that the activities at the Sanggar Suluk Nusantara are proof that the elderly are not people whose time has passed, but rather a treasure trove for future generations.
“They say that the elderly are labeled with 3S: Sepuh (old), Sepi (lonely), Sepah (useless). We prove that the elderly are old but not lonely even though their children and grandchildren have left the big house. We prove that the elderly are not useless like disposable trash, but are still capable. That is the task of Dompet Dhuafa to empower the elderly. So, at this HBH, Dompet Dhuafa and Suluk Nusantara are showcasing the talents of the elderly. Together with Dompet Dhuafa, the elderly will become S3, which stands for Semangat (Spirit), Sehat (Healthy), and Sejahtera (Prosperous),” he explained.
On the occasion of the Suluk Nusantara Family Gathering, Dompet Dhuafa would like to invite the community, especially the elderly, to enjoy three kinds of nourishment: physical nourishment, mental nourishment, and spiritual nourishment. This studio is a place for multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multi-sectarian people to cultivate their senses. Parni hopes that the elderly will continue to be able to build this nation.
“The elderly should not just be seen as the elderly, let alone lonely and useless. The elderly are a treasure trove for the younger generations that follow. Their experiences and stories are invaluable,” said Parni.
One of the performances by the elderly held at Krida Lasia was goro-goro. Goro-goro featured punokawan characters played by Iskandar Ismanadji as Semar, Agus as Gareng, Nurma Nurwito as Petruk, and Meneer Yogi as Bagong. Goro-goro is accompanied by several songs, namely Lancaran Mbokyo Mesem, Srepeg Lancaran – Mentog-mentog, Srepeg Lancaran – Kupu Kuwi, Pangkur Gambyong / Ladrang Pangkur Slindro 9, Srepeg Lancaran – Sayuk, Lancaran Kuwi Opo Kuwi, Srepeg Lancaran – Gugur Gunung/Pelog Barang.
“Today, Suluk Nusantara provides the answer that the elderly are not weak people, but rather a valuable treasure who pass on their thoughts, experiences, culture, and religion,” said DBPM Dompet Dhuafa Director Ahmad Shonhaji. (Dompet Dhuafa / Muthohar)