BIOGRAPHY

BIOGRAPHY RA. KARTINI

One of very famous female figures in Indonesia is Raden Ajeng Kartini. She is also commonly known as R.A Kartini.

She is known as one of the national hero determined to fight for the emancipation of women.

R.A Kartini was born on April 21st 1879 in Jepara. Since the number of services and struggle for people of Indonesia, the day of her birth was celebrated as Kartini Day.

Kartini was born in a noble family so she earned R.A (Raden Ajeng) in front of her name. According to Javanese tradition the title used before she got married, while after marriage then knighted used is R.A (Raden Ayu).

Her father named R.M. Sosroningrat is a son of Prince Ario Tjondronegoro IV. At that time, Kartini’s father was a regent in Jepara and an honorable man.

Kartini’s mother named M.A. Ngasirah was the son of ‘Kyai’ / religion teacher in Telukawur, Jepara. She was not highborn, but just ordinary people.

That’s what makes R.A Kartini must have a stepmother. This is because the Dutch colonial rule requires a regent married to noblesse.

Finally Kartini’s father then married a descendant of Madura’s King noblewoman named Raden Adjeng Woerjan.

R.A Kartini was the fifth of 11 siblings, consisting of siblings and half-brother. Nevertheless, she was the oldest of her sisters.

As derived from the offspring of nobility, Kartini is entitled to receive a decent education. Then, her father sent her to ELS (Europese Lagere School).

According to Javanese tradition, after the 12 years old, the child should be ‘dipingit‘ (living at home), is no exception for R.A Kartini. However, although she was at home, she still continues to learn.

Her lofty ideals are eager to see the indigenous women can study and learn as today.

New ideas about emancipation or equality of indigenous women by her, considered a novelty that can change society’s views.

In addition, her writings also contain about the significance of belief, wisdom and beauty, humanity and nationalism.

Not only that, she also touched on religion, for example, she questioned why a man may practice polygamy, why the holy book should be read and memorized without obligation to understand, and more.

After becoming adult moman, then in 1903 R.A Kartini married a regent of Rembang City named K.R.M. Duke Ario Singgih Djojo Adhiningrat. Although many historians say that the wedding is the insistence of her parents.

Most people estimate at the time of marriage, Kartini R.A still wants to live freely. But in order to make the hearts of parents happy and proud, she prefers to follow the wishes of her parents.

While it is like other destiny. Exactly a year after getting married, she must be in the call by the God (25 years old). Note before she died, she had a son named R.M Soesalit Djojoadhiningrat.

RA Kartini’s Books

Aku Mau … Feminisme dan Nasionalisme. Surat-surat Kartini kepada Stella  Zeehandelaar 1899-1903.

    Habis Gelap Terbitlah Terang

    Kartini Surat-surat kepada Ny RM Abendanon-Mandri dan suaminya

    Letters from Kartini, An Indonesian Feminist 1900-1904

    Panggil Aku Kartini Saja (Karya Pramoedya Ananta Toer)

    Surat-surat Kartini, Renungan Tentang dan Untuk Bangsanya

 

The Brief Biography of RA Kartini in English

      Full Name: Raden Ajeng Kartini

      Other Names: Raden Ayu Kartini, RA Kartini

      Date of Birth: April 21th 1879

      Zodiac: Taurus

      Place of Birth: Dutch Flag Jepara, Central Java, the Indies

      Date of Death: September 17th 1904

      Points Died: Rembang, Central Java, the Indies

      Died Age: 25 Years

      Known for: The Emancipation of Women

      Nationality: Indonesia

      Religion: Islam

      Husband: K.R.M. Duke Ario Singgih Djojo Adhiningrat

      Children: R.M Soesalit Djojoadhiningrat

      Grandchildren: RM. Boedi Setiyo Soesalit

      Great-grandchildren: RA. Kartini Setiawati Soesalit, RM. Kartono Boediman Soesalit, Soesalit Roekmini RA, RM. Samingoen Bawadiman Soesalit, and RM. Rahmat Harjanto Soesalit.