Parama Iswari: Uncovering Empresses' Public Roles in the Palace's History

KBRN, Yogyakarta: The Royal Palace of Yogyakarta (Keraton Yogyakarta) hold a year-end exhibition titled 'Parama Iswari: Mahasakti Keraton Yogyakarta' at the Gedhong Kapa building on the southside of the palace and at the Gedhong Sarang Baya building.

The exhibition, which runs from October 6, 2024 - January 26, 2025, is open for public from 8.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday. It offers visitors to learn more about the roles of empresses, or prameswari as it called locally, of the kings of Yogyakarta Palace in public sphere.

In the exhibition, the public can see various artifacts that illustrate traces of the palace's empresses' lives in public sphere. For example, dance jewelry and batik designed by Gusti Kanjeng Ratu (GKR) Hageng, GKR Kencono's gold box that illustrates the owner's expertise in managing money, and several awards certificates and star badges belonging to GKR Hemas for her dedication in fighting for the women's rights.

Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X and his youngest daughter GKR Bendara, as Chairwoman of the Exhibition Commitee, officially opened the exhibition on October 5, 2024. One of the exhibition organizers said that some 2,000 visitors came to the exhibition every day.

“The exhibition contributes to social awareness for women and society in general,” GKR Bendara said as quoted on kratonjogja.id.

At the exhibition, visitors are invited to see that prameswari could get out of the cultural confinement which limited women's space only in domestic sphere. It turns out that prameswari were able to play roles in public sphere which was beneficial for the community and the Yogyakarta Palace.

Through Sensory4 technology, the “Parama Iswari” exhibition provides an immersive experience that delivers powerful visual and audio experiences, highlighting the persistent issue of women's gender construction that often limits their space and voice. (Photo: RRI English/Diva Rifdah Rizkia Puspitaningnala)

The exhibition shows that GKR Kadipaten (the wife of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono I) and GKR Sultan (the wife of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono VI) have proven that women are not only capable of acting as the king's wife, but also as military leaders, diplomats, and intellectuals, breaking the stereotype of weak and passive women and paving the way for a new understanding of the role of women in history.

In addition, GKR Kencono (the wife of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono VII), a strong and intelligent woman, has proven that women can be strong and influential leaders. She was not only instrumental in supporting her husband, but also successfully guided her son and grandson to lead the palace, leaving a strong leadership legacy for future generations.

The exhibition also showcases the works of two empresses of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono VI (GKR Hageng and GKR Kencono) in the form of dance jewelry and batik to represent a woman who created fashion trends and in the form of two manuscript replicas that indicated a woman capable of initiating wisdom and knowledge respectively.

Bedhaya (grand royal dance) Jewelry. The role of the empress during Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono VIII's rule can be seen in her creative collaborations with silversmiths to create dance fashion amidst the perceived powerlessness of women in private sphere. (Photo: RRI English/Diva Rifdah Rizkia Puspitaningnala)

Parama Iswari also explained that women are reliable in managing finances, such as the ability of GKR Kencono in her monetary dominance in the Yogyakarta Palace. She was able to manage money, savings and loans, capital from the palace's sugar industry, and fashion for all relatives.

Meanwhile, GKR Hemas (the wife of Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono X) in this exhibition is highlighted for her dedication in fighting for women's rights which makes her a role model for many people. Through her various empowerment programs, GKR Hemas becomes the guardian of abandoned babies under Sayap Ibu Foundation.

Rahman, one of the visitors to the exhibition gave his appreciation. He hoped the 'Parama Iswari' exhibition could inspire the wider community to be more open and critical regarding gender issues.

“This exhibition is interesting and fascinating, because it explains that women have the potential to contribute to society like the empresses of the Yogyakarta Palace,” he said.

Ana, another visitor, also admired the contents of this exhibition, as it illustrates that women had a huge contribution in various fields. “I am amazed by the empresses. They are not only beautiful, but also smart and have a strong leadership spirit,” Ana said.***