Unlike Western conceptions of disability prior to modern time regarding it as a thing related to sorcery or witchcraft, punishment, and curses, (Colin 1997) Javanese tradition believes disability as power, magic, and blessing and that as an object, disability should be respected and appreciated. The Javanese Kingdoms regarded disabled people as a blessing – persons with supernatural power who have always been placed in important positions beside the Javanese Kings. Javanese classical writings also show that some heroes and Javanese knights were disabled. Petruk, Gareng, Semar, and Bagong in Javanese wayang, which Anderson (1965: 5) has described as a “compelling religious mythology” that unites the entire Javanese people geographically and spiritually were disabled. Deva who played a significant role in the Javanese version of the Mahabarata and Ramayana story was also disabled. Baru-Klinting was another hero who was also disabled – he had pale skin and a small body. However, he is portrayed as a wise person having power who was able to change his village into a swamp. Similarly, there had also been other classical writings which depict a person with a disability as a person with magic and supernatural power. This concept of disability still exists in the daily life of Javanese society. People, especially living in a rural area, still live in this belief system. The perception of physical and mental disability as magical also spreads out ubiquitously in the urban area and to the people living around the Kraton Yogyakarta (royal palace). A lot of people, especially within the older generation, believe in the power of the disabled. The perception of disability for the Javanese people therefore becomes a type of symbol, maintained by the kingdom to strengthen and keep its power. The balance system and harmony of the universe, in which disability becomes a significant element, is a symbolic power that fertilizes Javanese culture. This conception of disability can sometimes clash with the current concept of disability (human rights) introduced by activists of disability movements, but sometimes it also smooths them. This paper considers the religious underpinnings of disability in Java, and uses it as a means to think about theorising disability in Southeast Asia.
Day 3 – (May 29, Sat HK/SG time)
Panel 9: Disability, Discourses, Disruptions
1:30-3:30pm HK/SG / 6:30-8:30am BST / 7:30-9:30am CEST / 1:30-3:30am EDT / 10:30pm-12:30am PDT