The History of Kartini Brings the Light to Women's Emancipation

VIVA – Kartini or also known as Raden Ajeng Kartini was a Javanese noblewoman who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Dutch-ruled Indonesia. She is known for her advocacy for women's education and empowerment, and her letters to friends and family are considered a significant contribution to Indonesian literature. It is known, she was born on April 21, 1879, in Jepara, Central Java. People made her birthday a big day.

Kartini Day is always associated with women's emancipation – a process of self-liberation from slavery. Simply put, women’s emancipation means equality between women and men in fulfilling their rights as citizens. During her lifetime, Kartini established a women's school with the support of her husband who understood her wishes.

So, she was given the freedom to improve the welfare of women at that time. The women's school was established east of the gate of the Rembang Regency Office Complex. The building is currently used as a Scout Building. 

Because of her struggle as a pioneer of the awakening of indigenous women, on May 2, 1964, Kartini was designated as a National Independence Hero, and her birthday was designated as a holiday commemoration every year by President Soekarno. 

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Raden Ajeng Kartini.

Photo :

• Tropenmuseum

Kartini's books and letters  

Kartini is known as a female figure who likes to read and write. Not only about women's emancipation but also learned about general social issues. She saw that women's struggles needed to be carried out to gain freedom, autonomy, and legal equality as part of a broader movement.  

Kartini's education was carried out by attending the Europese Lagere School (ELS) which was only allowed until the age of 12. It was from this school that Kartini began to learn Dutch. Then after becoming proficient in Dutch, Kartini independently began to study and write letters to her friends in the Netherlands, one of which included Rosa Abendanon. 

The letters written by Kartini to her friends in the Netherlands were later collected and made into a book by Mr. J.H. Abendanon who at that time served as the Minister of Culture, Religion, and Crafts of the Dutch East Indies. The book was made after Kartini passed away. The book was titled "Door Duisternis tot Licht" which means 'From Darkness to Light'. The book was published in 1911.  

Then in 1922, the book was published in Malay by Balai Pustaka with the title "Habis Gelap Terbitlah Terang: Boeah Pikiran" which was translated by Empat Saudara. Kartini's published letters attracted the attention of the Dutch community. The Dutch people's views on indigenous women, especially in Java, began to change because of Kartini's thoughts. 

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Kartini's education was carried out by attending the Europese Lagere School (ELS) which was only allowed until the age of 12. It was from this school that Kartini began to learn Dutch. Then after becoming proficient in Dutch, Kartini independently began to study and write letters to her friends in the Netherlands, one of which included Rosa Abendanon.