Fajarasia.id – Governor of DKI Jakarta, Pramono Anung, emphasized that ondel-ondel should not be regarded as a tool for street busking, but rather as a cultural symbol of the Betawi people that must be preserved and developed. He made this statement during the Festival Storytelling Cerita Rakyat 2025: Suara Nusantara held at the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education on Sunday.
“I want ondel-ondel not to be used for busking. Ondel-ondel is part of Betawi culture that must be protected and nurtured,” Pramono declared.
The governor explained that Betawi culture is the result of centuries of acculturation, blending local and international influences. This diversity is reflected in traditional Betawi attire, known for its vibrant and striking colors. “Take the kebaya encim, for example—it always appears in bright, eye-catching hues,” he added.
Beyond physical symbols such as ondel-ondel and traditional clothing, Pramono highlighted the importance of preserving folklore as an oral cultural heritage. He noted that classic tales like Timun Mas, Sangkuriang, and Kancil carry timeless values of honesty, hard work, cooperation, and courtesy—principles that remain relevant for today’s younger generation.
“Folklore should not remain as mere legends of the past. The noble values within must continue to live on so that our identity is not lost,” he stressed.
Pramono also encouraged the documentation and publication of folklore from various regions to enrich school libraries, community reading parks, and RPTRA (Child-Friendly Integrated Public Spaces). He reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening literacy through the expansion of public reading facilities.
“We want Jakarta’s children to become more familiar with folklore through libraries and reading parks. This is part of our effort to safeguard culture while also boosting reading interest,” Pramono concluded.***
