Anggertimur Lanang Tinarbuko

With today's modern technology and popular culture, we can often forget about our traditional culture.

But there is at least one anomaly. He is Rizki Kuncoro Manik, an 11-year-old elementary school student who loves Javanese culture.

While his friends love to play games on smartphones all day, he is eager to learn the stories portrayed in wayang (traditional puppet) performances.

"Since the age of 15 months, Rizki has been asking join me at the kraton [palace],” said Suyatiman Cerma Wicara, Rizki's grandfather.

Suyatiman, 65, is a father figure for Rizki. He took care of Rizki after his father passed away and his mother left to work in Saudi Arabia.

Suyatiman, also known by his nickname Suyat, raised Rizki in a strong Javanese tradition in line with Suyat's career as an abdi dalem (royal servant) in Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat. His name is actually a gift from the late GBPH Joyokusumo, a member of the palace.

Rizki is now also an abdi dalem to the royal family.

Whenever he serves at the kraton, Rizki escorts the wayang kulit (leather shadow puppet) and wayang kayu (wood puppet) performances at the Bangsal Sri Manganti.

Becoming a puppeteer is one of his aspirations. When the school holidays arrive, he rides behind his grandfather in a rattan chair on an old bicycle. In Peranakan uniforms, they both ride to the kraton. "It's cool to wear Peranakan [uniforms]," said Rizki.

The uniform suits him. When he wears them, Rizki looks more mature and handsome. His smile is earnest.

His devotion to the sultan and the Kraton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat have made Rizki a more humble and virtuous person, a young boy who has realized his cultural identity from an early age. (kes)