I feel myself that it is not a matter the value of something that permits it to survive, but rather its relevance, and within a society the relevance of anything varies dependent upon the layer or segment of society that is considered.
In Jawa, if we put a culturally based question, the same question, to people who come from different segments of the society, we will sometimes get very different answers. That which is relevant to a farmer who is still using traditional methods is not at all relevant to somebody who has completed a university degree and wants both himself, and his country to be seen as a part of the "Modern World".
Yes, I do understand the PR displays that the Karatons put on, but once again I do most sincerely suggest that the nature of at least the Surakarta pusakas be given a very close look.
In respect of identification of old keris, one does not need to have handled hundreds of keris. This is very, very far from reality.
One needs to have handled thousands of keris and to have handled a good number of those under the guidance of somebody who truly understands what he is looking at.
How to do this at the present time?
I do not know.
|