Drama dari Krakatau

Drama dari Krakatau: A Tale of Eruption and Reunion

Imagine a story that intertwines the lives of two families, separated by time but bound by fate. Drama dari Krakatau, written in 1929 by Kwee Tek Hoay, is such a tale. This novel, inspired by the famous eruption of Krakatoa and the classic The Last Days of Pompeii, weaves together themes of love, sacrifice, and the power of nature.

Setting the Stage: The Eruption of Krakatoa

Drama dari Krakatau begins with a village head named Tjakra Amidjaja receiving a troubling message from his wife Sadidjah. She had a dream about the volcano, which was stirring for the first time in 200 years. The family tries to evacuate but is unable to escape the devastating tsunami and destruction caused by the eruption of Krakatoa.

The Reunion: A Tale of Two Families

Forty-four years later, Moelia, a Regent’s assistant, discovers Noesa Brama, a Baduy priest-king, who bears a striking resemblance to his grandmother. Moelia falls in love with Noesa Brama’s daughter, Retna Sari, but their happiness is short-lived as she is kidnapped by men from Palembang.

Moelia rescues the women and prevents them from being taken to Sumatra, but not before Krakatoa erupts again, killing the kidnappers. The novel concludes with Moelia reunited with his family and Noesa Brama making a sacrificial death to calm Krakatoa.

The Author: Kwee Tek Hoay

Kwee Tek Hoay was born to an ethnic Chinese textile merchant and his native wife, drawing on influences from Dutch, English, and Malay literature. His first novel was published in 1924, and he was commissioned by a friend to write a ‘sensational’ story about Krakatoa in 1928.

Kwee researched the history of the Baduy, the geological formation of Krakatoa, and the events of 1883 and 1928. He consulted 15 books before completing his novel on May 28, 1928. The novel includes a degree of mysticism and was inspired by Edward Bulwer-Lytton’s The Last Days of Pompeii.

Themes and Analysis

Drama dari Krakatau centers on the depiction of indigenous cultures, geography, and nationalism. The novel starts with a macro scale, depicting the origins of the archipelago, then progresses to a micro scale, focusing on a rural area in Indonesia. Melani Budianta argues that this ‘geographic panorama’ shows elements of nationalism in the novel.

The book was adapted for the stage before its publication in serialized form between 1928-1929. An adaptation was performed on stage at Pasar Senen in Weltevreden, Batavia.

Legacy and Reception

Drama dari Krakatau has not been considered part of the Indonesian literary canon due to its use of vernacular Malay and marginalization by the Dutch colonial government. However, it remains a fascinating piece that explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the enduring power of nature.

As we reflect on Drama dari Krakatau, it serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of natural disasters and the human spirit’s resilience in the face of adversity. This novel, though not widely recognized, stands as a testament to the rich literary heritage of Indonesia.