Saking Wingking Mĕngajĕng (2016) — Honoring a Philosophy Through the Art of Jamu
- Arina Chuuriyyah Herawati
“Saking Wingking Mĕngajĕng”, meaning “from the back, moving forward”, serves as both the title and the living motto of a movie rooted in the world of jamu. A cornerstone of traditional Indonesian herbal medicine, jamu is far more than health remedy, it is an economic lifeline for rural communities. Yet the stories unfolding behind its profound impact rarely reach wider audience. It was this silence that gave rise to “Behind the Healing Herbs”, a documentary dedicated to preserving the essence of jamu as it has been lovingly upheld by the people of Kiringan Village
Directed by Nur Wulan Dari, the film follows the journey of Ibu Murjiati, a woman who pours everything into providing for her family through the making and selling jamu. From preparing herbal blends and taking them to market, to raising her children and leading community groups in her village, her days are full and relentless. The movie captures the bittersweet texture of her life with striking honesty, never resorting to dramatization. Despite modest means, Ibu Murjiati emerges as a portrait of quiet strength, a woman who stands firm in her values without ever seeking the spotlight.
Her philosophy of life, deeply intertwined with jamu, has taken root in the broader community around her. The movie succeeds in drawing out the layers of meaning embedded in jamu that are rarely visible on the surface. Because for Ibu Murjiati, the daily work does not end with preparing herbal medicine, it extends to shaping a life, and finding the will to keep going.
Writer Arina Chuuriyyah Herawati
Editor Ailsa Luthfia Indrasari Laksana Putri
Translator Iniko Rafa Delmora Aziz
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