International Journal of Indonesian Studies Volume 1, Issue 3 | Page 141

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INDONESIAN STUDIES
SPRING 2016
This incantation is repeated again later in the poem.
He urges them to brush or, in this case, ‘comb’ off their sorrows and to rise up to shield
themselves and to oppose and, on no condition,
‘allow yourselves to be sacrificed.’

(Ibid.)

Rendra is disgusted with a government which speaks of ‘national struggle’ and then assaults
its citizens. The pelacur-pelacur are denounced but simultaneously referred to as
‘the inspiration of the revolution’

(ibid.)

Rendra speaks to individual pelacur-pelacur – Sarinah and Dasima. The name, Sarinah
means spiritually intense with the ability to sting or charm, and Dasima means companion
or mistress. The revolutionary leaders bolstered the peoples’ hopes with words beckoning
prosperity but they did this whilst abusing them. Rendra uses explicitly sexual language to
stress this exploitation.
‘Their bolts too rapidly shot.’ (Ibid. p. 29)
The rampant corruption of the country is simply another chain around the necks of the
people:
‘could only open the door of opportunity
if you would open your legs.’ (Ibid.)
In ‘BersatulahPelacur-pelacurkota Jakarta,” Rendragoes on to declare
‘Merekaharus….’ repeatedly to emphasize what must occur, what concessions must be
provided, what blame must be accepted;
‘They must give you work
They must return your standing
They too must bear the weight of their mistakes.’ Ibid.)
He urges the prostitutes to take up the only arms they possess to oppose their tormentors;
‘Take up sticks
Wave your bras on the ends of them
…waving them like flags they have disgraced.’

(Ibid.)

They have the ultimate power because of the service they provide:
‘Strike for a month
soon they will be committing adultery
with their brothers’ wives.’

(Ibid. p.33)

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