Kartini Day

Today Indonesian’s celebrate Kartini Day. Kartini or Raden Ayu Kartini, is one of Indonesia’s national heroine. She is considered an icon for the movement of women’s right in Indonesia.

To many Indonesian’s, Kartini Day means showing up at schools or office in traditional attire, especially kebaya dress for the ladies. Kebaya is a traditional Javanese dress where Kartini is always depicted wearing them. Even the women street cleaners and bus drivers showed up in their kebaya’s and I’m quite sure it’s not easy to work in such attire.

Honestly, I just don’t understand the significance of wearing such traditional attire on every April 21st. Well, I must admit it sure is fun to dress differently once in a while. I still remember how I used to show up as Sultan Hasanuddin, another national hero from South Sulawesi. Why? Because it’s simple. I don’t have to rent any of the clothes. Just simply wear a black shirt, a sarong and mum’s table cloth as headwear.

To me, celebrating Kartini Day means we are reminded again about her struggle against discrimination towards women. During her time women never got the chance to study or even to express their ideas and so often are mistreated. Kartini fought for equality Something which ironically many of us still take for granted. This is what Kartini Day is all about, beyond just wearing all those traditional attire.

So Happy Kartini Day!

Related links:
- List of Indonesia’s National Hero
- Kartini on Wikipedia
- Kartini on yourtruehero.org
- Kartini on CHNM’s Women In World History