Putri Prihatini
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putriprihatini.bsky.social
Putri Prihatini
@putriprihatini.bsky.social
1.1K followers 260 following 1.3K posts
I blog about Tolkien from Indonesia. Love folklore, books, movies. East Javanese living in East Borneo. She/Her. Banner by Amar Alfikar. I want Free Palestine and transphobes getting shat on by vengeful pigeons.

My blog: https://putri2wotan.wordpress.com/
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Typing this made me remember the discovery of cave paintings in Lubang Jeriji Saléh, a limestone cave complex within the Sangkulirang-Mangkalihat Karst in East Borneo. One that caught my eyes was the "Bouquet of Hands". I want to know the stories behind these hands (notice that one hand has motifs).
A cave painting on the surface of a limestone cave wall, depicting six hands in a circular formation. One of the hands has motifs made with ochre. There is a single hand print created separately from the hand formation.
November 25, 2025 at 3:18 PM
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The Goblin cave drawings and Goblin alphabet that Tolkien created for one of his Father Christmas's letters for his children.

Both were drawn in 1932 when he was working on "The Hobbit", and some of the creatures from that manuscript bled to his Christmas letters.

#TolkienTrewsday #TolkienTuesday
An image of cave drawings on a paper, drawn with red and black ink. It depicts several large prehistoric mammals like mammoths, bears, elks, rhinos, and horses, surrounded by smaller black figures in various poses, such as riding a four-legged creature, carrying a spear and stick, holding hands, and such. There are also several smaller animals like canines, birds, and buffalos. An ink drawing of rows of picture-based alphabet system resembling black stick figures in various poses.
November 25, 2025 at 2:17 PM
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Preparing for Read Palestine Week (29 November - 5 December). I will make IG review posts daily, collaborating with Jakarta-based indie bookshop, Transit Bookstore. This bookshop focuses on curated, diverse books, and frequently promotes Palestinian authors and holds fundraising efforts. #Booksky
A pile of books by Palestinian authors. They are Enter Ghost, Wajah di Palestina, Speak Bird Speak Again, Sumud, Perfect Victims, The Eyes of Gaza, Gaza the Story of a Genocide, Forest of Noise, We Are Not Numbers.
November 19, 2025 at 5:03 PM
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Dressing room photos of my parents wearing black Javanese-style wedding outfits, with "cunduk mentul" hairpins for my mom.

Black is a classic color worn by brides and grooms in Javanese wedding, representing earth-related qualities like humility, strength, magnanimity, and wisdom.

#WyrdWednesday
An old photo of a Javanese woman sitting on a bench in a dressing room with her hands folded on her lap. She wears a thick bun hairstyle with flower-shaped hairpins, tiered gold necklace, black, long-sleeved top with gold embroideries on the hems, and a batik skirt. An old photo of a Javanese woman and man. The man stands next to her with his hand on her shoulder, and she sits on a bench in a dressing room with her hands folded on her lap. She wears a thick bun hairstyle with flower-shaped hairpins, tiered gold necklace, black, long-sleeved top with gold embroideries on the hems, and a batik skirt. He wears a long-sleeved black coat with gold embroideries and batik skirt. A wedding photo of a man and a woman in traditional Javanese wedding style outfits. The man wears a tall black cap with black coat and gold embroideries, his lower half wrapped in a thick batik sarong with gold and black details. He smiles at a woman with floral hairpins and jasmine wreaths on her hair, wearing a long-sleeved black top with gold embroideries and tiered necklace, and a long batik skirt. A wedding photo of a man and a woman in traditional Javanese wedding style outfits. The man wears a round embroidered cap with a brooch, black coat and gold embroideries, his lower half wrapped in a thick batik sarong with delicate brown patterns. He smiles at a woman with floral hairpins and jasmine wreaths on her hair, wearing a long-sleeved black top with gold embroideries and red sash, and a long batik skirt.
November 19, 2025 at 1:25 PM
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In 1928, Tolkien drew "Owlamoo" to dispel his son Michael's night fear of sinister owl creature.

This was 3 years after he created Roverandom, a tale about a dog turned into a toy and went to adventures, to comfort Michael because he was sad from losing his toy dog. #TolkienTrewsday #TolkienTuesday
A hand-drawn illustration of an owl with thick unibrow and feathers in colors of turquoise, orange, black, and white. The owl folded its wings at the front and looked up. There is a name "Owlamoo" at the bottom right and year 1928 at the bottom left.
November 18, 2025 at 12:39 PM
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The earliest known letter by Tolkien was dictated to his nurse as a 4-year old, addressed to his father, Arthur (14 February 1896). It was never sent because his mother, Mabel, received a telegram that day, saying that Arthur had hemorrhaged. He died the next day. #TolkienTrewsday #TolkienTuesday
A close up photo of a letter and a little envelope with a handwriting by Tolkien's nurse. The envelope says: To Dear Daddy, from Ronald, Feb 14th 1896, with a little picture of a stamp. I am so glad I am coming back to see you it is such a long time since we came away from you. I hope the ship will bring us all back to you Mamie and Baby and me ... I am got such a big man now because I have got a man's coat and a mans bodice ... Auntie Gracie has been to see us I walk every day and only ride in my mailcart a little bit ... your loving Ronald. J.R.R. Tolkien’s letter to Arthur Tolkien (14 February 1896), dictated to his nurse
November 18, 2025 at 12:28 PM
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Published 30 years after "Stone Butch Blues", this memoir by Lamya H. reflects Leslie Feinberg's way of exploring queer identity that doesn't fit into fixed, narrow boxes, as well as intersectionality, acceptance, and unexpected found family. One of few books that made me feel at home. #Booksky
A photograph of Hijab Butch Blues book by Lamya H. The cover art depicts rainbow flag color as the background with a silhouette of a person in hijab and hoodie, putting their hands in their pocket. There is a label that says Stonewall Book Award on the cover. Near the book are two postcards: one with the illustration of two women in Javanese wayang orang costumes dancing together, and one has floral batik pattern with images of small, white flowers on dark background.
November 15, 2025 at 1:07 PM
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These kings also composed dances for certain celebrations and events or as gifts. For example, Hamengkubuwono VII (1839-1921) composed Bedhaya Tunjung Anom for his son and successor (yes, the guns are the actual props). The current king, Hamengkubuwono X, is also a prolific dance composer. 2/2
A group of female court dancers in Yogyakarta performed Bedhaya Tunjung Anom. They wear batik dress and skirt with red sashes and guns slipped in the sashes. They move their hands elegantly as they flick the red sashes. A group of female court dancers in Yogyakarta performed Bedhaya Tunjung Anom. They wear batik dress and skirt with red sashes and guns slipped in the sashes. They move their hands elegantly as they flick the red sashes.
November 12, 2025 at 11:49 AM
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Several kings of Yogyakarta Sultanate, central region of Java, were known for composing dances during their reigns, since artistic skill is seen as ideal trait.

Pictured are examples of their works: Bedhaya Mintaraga, Bedhaya Durma Kina, Beksan Surawijaya, and Beksan Lawung Alit. 1/2
#WyrdWednesday
A photo of Yogyakarta court dancers performing Bedhaya Mintaraga. Several women in gold crowns and jewelry, black embroidered dresses, and batik skirts and sashes danced with bows and arrows. Behind them is a gamelan set. A photo of Yogyakarta court dancers performing Bedhaya Durma Kina. They stand in a row and move in simultaneous choreography, moving their red sashes. They have simple bun hairstyles and wear batik dresses and skirts. Two male dancers perform Beksan Suryawijaya. They pose on different ends of a court hall, wearing batik sarongs, embroidered caps, and kris blades slipped under their green sashes. Their hands elegantly move red sashes as they move. Two male dancers perform Beksan Lawung Alit. They wear embroidered caps, golden necklaces and arm bracelets, red sashes, batik fabric around their waists, and batik knee-length pants.
November 12, 2025 at 11:49 AM
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Also, around the publication time of "The Lord of the Rings", Usmar Ismail released "After the Curfew" (Lewat Djam Malam). Despite being released shortly after Indonesia's independence, the film eschewed patriotic fervor and chose to portray the disillusionment of a returning war veteran. 6/6
A clip from Lewat Djam Malam, depicting lovers Iskandar and Norma sitting together. Iskandar holds a flower while Norma looks on, their expressions are clouded with gloom despite Iskandar's smile. A clip from Lewat Djam Malam depicting Iskandar, the main character, in a uniform and a slightly disheveled hair, looking on an unseen object with worried eyes. A clip from Lewat Djam Malam depicting several characters in uniforms without ranks, holding a secret meeting around a table with a map and oil lamp. One of them holds a firearm. A clip from Lewat Djam Malam depicting two characters in uniforms without ranks, one of them points a firearm at an unseen target.
November 11, 2025 at 2:37 PM
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Disillusionment among returning veterans, like what Sador and Gwindor experienced, was reflected on Pramoedya Ananta Toer's "It’s Not an All Night Fair" (1951). This page showed the lament of an Indonesian revolutionary veteran, struggling amidst the post-war corruption and wealth disparity. 5/6
A photo of a book by Pramoedya Ananta Toer, titled Bukan pasar Malam. The cover depicts a superimposed old timey photos of an Indonesian fair, a woman, and a man. Two pages from the inside of Pramoedya Ananta Toer's bukan Pasar Malam. Written in Indonesia, the pages depict the main character, an Indonesian revolutionary veteran, who had to take a debt to be able to visit his father. He lamented about how the new democracy still had people who used their privilege and positions in society for their own benefits, including the politicians.
November 11, 2025 at 2:37 PM
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I saw similarities between the poems of Siegfried Sassoon and Mosab Abu Toha. In "Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear: Poems from Gaza", Abu Toha bridges the gap between public perception and the stark realities on the ground. Their poems read like words that poured out from open wounds. 4/6
A photo of the book Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear by Mosab Abu Toha. The cover is a Palestinian village seen through a hole on the wall. A poem by Mosab Abu Toha titled Shrapnel Looking for Laughter. The house has been bombed. Everyone dead: The kids, the parents, the toys, the actors on TV, characters in novels, personas in poetry collections, the I, the he and the she. No pronouns left. Not even for the kids when they learn parts of speech next year. Shrapnel flies in the dark, looks for the family's peals of laughter hiding behind piles of disfigured walls and bleeding picture frames. The radio no longer speaks. Its batteries have burnt, the antenna is broken. Even the broadcaster felt the pain when the radio was hit. Even we, hearing the bomb as it fell, threw ourselves to the ground, each of us counting the others around them. We were safe, but our hearts still acge.
November 11, 2025 at 2:37 PM
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Tolkien's view about war and his depictions of characters like Frodo, Sador, Gwindor, and Faramir reflected the gap between "war glory" and its harsh reality, and the disillusionment among veterans. Sassoon's war poems also became angrier and grittier after he saw the battlefield. 3/6
Quietly the Brother Officer went out. He'd told the poor old dear some gallant lies That she would nourish all her days, no doubt For while he coughed and mumbled, her weak eyes Had shone with gentle triumph, brimmed with joy, Because he'd been so brave, her glorious boy. He thought how 'Jack', cold-footed, useless swine, Had panicked down the trench that night the mine Went up at Wicked Corner; how he'd tried To get sent home, and how, at last, he died, Blown to small bits. And no one seemed to care Except that lonely woman with white hair. Siegfried Sassoon, from The Hero
November 11, 2025 at 2:37 PM
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Frodo’s experiences are often used as a reflection of post-war shock and disillusionment. He lost his sense of taste, alienated from everyone even during joyful events, plagued by nightmares, and his memories turned into torture. Sassoon's "Repression of War Experience" reflected such trauma. 2/6
You’re quiet and peaceful, summering safe at home; You’d never think there was a bloody war on! … O yes, you would … why, you can hear the guns. Hark! Thud, thud, thud,—quite soft … they never cease— Those whispering guns—O Christ, I want to go out And screech at them to stop—I’m going crazy; I’m going stark, staring mad because of the guns.
November 11, 2025 at 2:37 PM
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Siegfried Sassoon, J.R.R. Tolkien, Mosab Abu Toha, Pramoedya Ananta Toer, and Usmar Ismail shared a thing: grounded, realistic depiction of war impacts and its subsequent disillusionment in modern era, forcing us to reexamine the fervor of "war glory". 🧵1/6

#TolkienTrewsday #TolkienTuesday
A photograph of young Siegfried Sassoon in a military uniform. A photograph of young Tolkien in a British military officer uniform. A photograph of the Indonesian edition of the trilogy of The Lord of the Rings, Mosab Abu Toha's Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear, and Pramoedya Ananta Toer's Bukan Pasar Malam on a blanket. A photo of The Criterion Collection's promotional image for Usmar Ismail's After the Curfew, Indonesia, 1954. The text on the top left says that it is Martin Scorsese's World Cinema Project. The image depicts the main character of the film, an Indonesian man with slicked back hair and suit, looking at an unseen object with heavy, cynical eyes.
November 11, 2025 at 2:37 PM
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I switch between books depending on my mood! Currently, I'm moving between memoirs by a queer Muslim writer and a young Gazan journalist, and an Indonesian short story collection with friendship as a theme. They offer different experiences that I simply match with my mood of the day. #Booksky
A photo of three books on a blanket. One is titled Museum Teman Baik, one titled Hijab Butch Blues: a memoir, and one titled The Eyes of Gaza.
November 8, 2025 at 5:58 PM
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I sometimes need ambient music to focus on reading. My favorites so far are sape (the instrument of my birthplace, easy choice), Sundanese degung (best gamelan music style for reading), Tony Duncan's style of Native American flute, and my recent favorite: queer Palestinian oud player Clarissa Bitar.
A photo of a Dayak man holding a sape, a stringed instrument made of a bole of wood. The surface is filled with spiraling and vine-like carvings. The man wears a long necklace and long earrings adorned with bones and claws. There are tattoos similar to the carvings on his sape adorning his shoulders, upper arms, and chest. A photo of a degung gamelan group. Some sit and some stand behind a set of gamelan, hand drums, percussions in shapes of mini gongs, and metal xylophones. The players hold wooden puppets for traditional wayang golek or shadow puppetry. A photo of a Native American man with two long braids looking at the side, wearing a colorful roach headdress and beaded headbands, armbands, and bracelets. He wears a sleeveless blue vest with intricate embroideries and an embroidered apron. His hands hold a Native American flute made of dark wood. A photograph of Clarissa Bitar, a short-haired Palestinian, sitting on a rock with trees at the background, holding an oud stringed instrument with their left hand. They wear a beige shirt and white pair of pants.
November 8, 2025 at 11:25 AM
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Debut novel of queer Malaysian writer Ong Chin Huat, observing Malaysian upper class society in an apartment building and secrets behind their seemingly perfect image. Despite somewhat rushed ending and some "tell" instead of "show", it's a fun read. Love the cover art by Chinmayee Samant! #Booksky
A photo of Harmony Heights novel by Ong Chin Huat. The book has a colorful cover with the image of a facade of an apartment building, with several large windows and balconies showing the tenants in various activities. The wall has an image of someone swimming in a swimming pool. The background color is orange but the illustrations of the apartment, the pool, and the tenants' rooms are colorful.
November 7, 2025 at 10:51 AM
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During Perang Obor, villages hit each other with torches made of dried coconut fronds and banana leaves until only one left standing. This rite usually follows the great harvest and is accompanied by other rites like pilgrimage to the ancestors' graves and the washing of heirloom weapons. 2/2
A photo of a person in hoodie swinging a flaming torches made of long coconut fronds, embers flying everywhere as spectators watch. A photo of a person in a farmer's wide hat wielding flaming torches made of long coconut fronds, embers flying everywhere as spectators watch and recoil from flames.
November 5, 2025 at 1:23 PM
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Perang Obor ("torch war"), an annual post-harvest fire battle in Tegalsambi village, Central Java, is a part of purification and blessing ritual. Its folkloric origin story was a fight between villagers over sick cattle, resulting in a cleansing flame that healed the cattle. 1/2

#WyrdWednesday
A photo of several people hitting each other with flaming torches made of long coconut fronds, embers flying everywhere as spectators watch. A photo of several people hitting each other with flaming torches made of long coconut fronds, embers flying everywhere as spectators watch. A photo of two people ferociously hitting each other with flaming torches made of long coconut fronds, embers flying everywhere as spectators watch and take photos. A photo of two people hitting each other with flaming torches made of long coconut fronds, embers flying everywhere as spectators watch. One of them has their body almost covered by flames.
November 5, 2025 at 1:23 PM
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The illustration of the cover is the reproduction of "Sabra and Shatila Massacre" (1982-1983), ink and wax crayon on canvas, by Dia al-Azzawi.
A photo of a book titled Wajah di Palestina, an Indonesian sentence means faces in Palestine. The cover is white with a square on top filled with expressionist painting depicting a massacre of refugees in a refugee camp.
November 5, 2025 at 11:35 AM
putriprihatini.bsky.social
Just published: Wajah di Palestina ("faces in Palestine"), an essay collection written in Indonesian by senior Indonesian journalist, essayist, and poet Goenawan Mohamad.

Now 84 years old, Goenawan Mohamad wrote this book based on his repeated visits to Palestine since the early 1980s. #Booksky
A photo of a book titled Wajah di Palestina, an Indonesian sentence means faces in Palestine. The cover is white with a square on top filled with expressionist painting depicting a massacre of refugees in a refugee camp. Next to the book is a postcard with a picture of a dove carrying a red poppy and watermelon slices.
November 5, 2025 at 11:35 AM
putriprihatini.bsky.social
Tolkien described the dream as a great wave swallowing the landscape. He stopped having these dreams after writing it down. The smong verse was composed after 1907 tsunami, and later saved thousands of Simeulue islanders during 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. 2/2

🎨: Ted Nasmith
📷: Wawan H. Prabowo
A painting by Ted Nasmith depicting a giant wave that almost engulfs a mountain peak. A woman in white dress tries desperately to escape the wave. A photograph of Simeulue island by Wawan H. Prabowo, a green island surrounded by turquoise water, photographed from above.
November 4, 2025 at 2:25 PM
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In a letter to Christopher Bretherton (16 July 1964), Tolkien mentioned a nightmare of a great wave, which he wrote in The Lost Road and Akallabêth. It reminds me of "smong verse" from Simeulue, Aceh, which teaches islanders what to do when smong (tsunami) comes. 1/2
#TolkienTrewsday #TolkienTuesday
A folk verse in Simeulue language and its English translation. It says: Enggel mon sao curito Inang maso semonan Manoknop sao fano Uwi lah da sesewan Unen ne alek linon Fesang bakat ne mali Manoknop sao hampong Tibo-tibo mawi Anga linon ne mali Uwek suruik sahuli Maheya mihawali Fano me singa tenggi Ede smong kahanne Turiang da nenekta Miredem teher ere Pesan dan navi da Listen to this tale Once upon a time A village drowned As it was told Starting with a quake Followed by a giant wave The land submerged It was so sudden If the quake was strong And the seawater receding Hurry and search for A higher land It is called smong The story of our ancestors Remember this The message and the lesson The smong verse, as recited in 2014 by Mohammad Riswan of Simeulue and transcribed by Ayat Karokaro for Mongabay Indonesia (translation by me) A photograph of The Lost Road and Other Writings: the final chapter in the history of Middle-earth, by JRR. Tolkien. The book is a paperback with a cover that depicts a handful of soldiers in armors and carrying spears and shields hiding behind rock formation near the ocean, observing a tall white tower.
November 4, 2025 at 2:25 PM
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Two glass paintings of gunungan (mountain-like structure used in wayang performance) by Rastika, an artist from Cirebon, West Java. Glass painting has a long history in Cirebon, with multiple influences in its style like Javanese, Chinese, and Islamic art.

📷: Museum Wayang Jakarta, December 2024
Glass painting of gunungan with multicolor surface and intricate details of shapes on the surface like nagas, tigers, birds, trees, suns, and giants. Glass painting of gunungan with multicolor surface and intricate details of shapes on the surface like nagas, tigers, birds, trees, suns, and giants. A photograph of dalang or wayang kulit puppeteer, taken from behind him. He sits in front of a screen under the dim light, his hands holding two gunungan above his head. Two gunungan for wayang performance, made of hide and attached on two thin handles. They have intricate ornamenta of tigers, birds, trees, giants, nagas, and gates, dominated by golden, yellow, red, and black colors.
November 2, 2025 at 1:02 PM