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Beauty pageant promotes Betawi culture
Since its inception in 1971, the Mr
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ince its inception in 1971, the Mr. and Miss Jakarta (Abang-None Jakarta) pageant has become a staple feature of Jakarta anniversary celebrations and a successful channel for promoting Betawi culture.
Bastian Ibrahim, Mr. Jakarta 1975, said of the two pageants, the Miss Jakarta competition, an annual that this year will be held by Miraca Sky Club on Jl. Thamrin, Central Jakarta, was the biggest draw.
The club, owned by legendary cineast Usmar Ismail, has sponsored the event in an attempt to build its member base.
“The streets were always crowded during the event and many people would dance on the streets,” Bastian said.
Designer Poppy Dharsono and entrepreneur Dewi Motik Pramono are among those crowned by the event.
The pageant select ambassadors to promote Jakarta to the international community. Every year, the city administration allocates Rp 4 billion (US$440,500) to hold the event.
A common criticism levelled at the event is that it rates physical beauty over intelligence.
In 1971, the city tourism agency launched the Miss Jakarta Pageant and the Mr. Jakarta category to complement it. Participants were required to wear traditional Betawi attire.
“The requirements were not strict. Physical appearance was very important. But, married men or women were welcome to attend the contest,” he said.
Hamid Alwi and Chike Sugiarto were named the first Mr. and Miss Jakarta couple.
Having achieved victory, Mr. and Miss Jakarta are then involved in programs at city hall, including serving as master of ceremonies or liaison officers.
In 1974, the pageant was held for the first time in five municipalities, the winners advancing to the final in Jakarta.
For the first time, contestants wore standardized costumes in the style of the Betawi middle-class of the 19th century.
Under governor Ali Sadikin, the city underwent intensive development. Mr. and Miss Jakarta were frequently sent to countries holding similar events, with the goal of promoting Indonesian culture and tourism.
Apart from the attire, the criteria for Mr. and Miss Jakarta has remain unchanged throughout the years.
Model-cum-writer Ratih Sanggarwati, who was Miss Jakarta 1983, said that in the past the pageant had attracted anti-Betawi sentiment.
“When I won it became a big polemic because of my Javanese face,” recalled Ratih, who spoke with a heavy East Javanese accent at the time. Ratih said she had even received hate mail after her victory.
“But later I proved that I could perform my duties as Miss Jakarta well along with my partner Irwansyah,” she said.
She said that national sentiment toward the pageants had changed with a growing understanding that Jakarta was a melting pot for all Indonesian ethnicities.
“Eighty percent of the participants in the municipalities do not know Jakarta well, but that’s OK. Every year at least 300 teenagers in the city get the chance to learn more about Betawi culture through the pageant,” she said.
Miss Jakarta 1993, Maudy Koesnadi, said the pageant had not only given her opportunities, but had also made her fall in love with Betawi culture.
Maudy, who played the innocent Betawi woman Zaenab in the popular television serial Si Doel Anak Sekolahan (1996), said that when she attended the pageant, she had vowed to contribute to Betawi
culture.
“Now I have fulfilled my promise,” said Maudy, referring to several Betawi musicals she produced, including Cinta Dasima (2009), Doel: Antara Merpati, Kembang Parung Nunggu Dipetik (2010).
According to Maudy, recent contestants have been generally more talented than those in the past. “With their diverse potentials, they can definitely contribute to the development of Betawi culture,” she said.(lnd)
