Kartini Day which falls every April 21 is carried out to commemorate the services of RA Kartini who is a figure of women’s emancipation in Indonesia.
In 2022, Kartini Day falls on Thursday (April 21, 2022). April 21 is taken from the birthday of RA Kartini, which is April 21, 1879.
To get to know RA Kartini further, the following Kompas.TV summarizes the struggles of life.
Biography of RA Kartini
Raden Adjeng (RA) Kartini is a descendant of Javanese aristocrats, the son of Raden Mas Adipati Ario Sosroningrat and M.A. give up. He was born in Jepara, April 2, 1879.
Kartini is the fifth child of 11 siblings and is the eldest daughter. One of his famous brothers is his older brother, Sosrokartono, who is an intellectual in the field of language.
Kartini attended the Europeesche Lagere School (ELS). ELS is a school for the Dutch and the rich Javanese.
It is not known at what age Kartini attended ELS. However, it is recorded that he attended school until the age of 12. After that, he had to stay at home because he had entered a period of seclusion.
Quoting the book R.A. Kartini: A Short Biography of 1879 – 1904 written by Imron Rosyadi, Kartini was free from seclusion at the age of 16 years.
Since being released from seclusion, Kartini made a number of changes, including her relationship with her younger sisters, Roekmini and Kardinah. They don’t have to crouch down to worship him.
In 1903, Kartini married K.R.M. Duke Ario Singgih Djojo Adhiningrat. Her husband supports Kartini to fight for her ideals.
Women’s Emancipation
At the beginning of the 19th century, the political situation of the Dutch East Indies was uncertain. Kartini, who was at that time, saw that there were many things that put women in an unfavorable situation.
The uncertain political situation and the strong influence of adat have made indigenous women backward, especially in terms of education.
At that time, women were still considered as ‘konco wingking’ who only took care of household matters and took care of children.
From here Kartini began her struggle to free women from educational backwardness.
This desire cannot be separated from the influence of his friends from various countries, including J.H. Abendanon.
She started her struggle by establishing a school for noble women, with the intention that indigenous women would be able to improve the position of their women.
His ideals and fighting spirit are contained in letters sent to his friends, including to Abendanon.
Kartini also often writes her thoughts in De Hollandsche Leile magazine. From there, he became famous and got a pen pal, namely Stella Zeehandelaar.
The Book of RA Kartini
Kartini died a few days after giving birth to her first child, Soesalit Djojoadhiningrat, on September 13, 1904. She died on September 17, 1904 at the age of 25 years.
After her death, Abendanon collected and recorded Kartini’s letter which was then entitled Door Duisternis tot Licht, which means ‘From Darkness to Light’.
In 1922, Balai Pustaka published the book in Malay under the title “Habis Gelap Terbitlah Terang: Boeah Pikiran” or in english it means “Out of Darkness Comes Light: Thoughts”.
Kartini Day
On May 2, 1964, President Soekarno issued Presidential Decree of the Republic of Indonesia Number 108 of 1964 which stipulates that Kartini is a Hero of National Independence.
The Presidential Decree also stipulates that April 21 is Kartini Day.
