Sastra wangi (also spelled sastrawangi; meaning "fragrant literature") is a term used to describe a new type of Indonesian writing created by young women living in cities in Indonesia. These writers often address difficult topics such as politics, religion, and personal relationships. The movement began with Ayu Utami's popular first book, Saman, published in 1998. This novel offered a modern look at Indonesian society and was released just two weeks before President Suharto lost his position. Since then, many similar works by young women have been written.

Label

The label "sastra wangi" was created in the early 2000s by mostly male critics to group together young female writers such as Ayu Utami, Dewi Lestari, Fira Basuki, and Djenar Maesa Ayu.

Feminist writer Julia Suryakusuma explains that people have different opinions about this label. Some believe it makes women feel less respected, as if it suggests their writing is not as important or intellectual and is only popular because of their appearance or sensuality. However, the label has also brought more attention to the writers' unique writing styles, word choices, and topics they explore. Suryakusuma notes that these writers come from different backgrounds, do not carry the same heavy responsibilities as writers during the New Order era, and often write about bold, sensitive topics that are rarely discussed.

Some of the writers themselves have criticized the label. Djenar Maesa Ayu, known for books like Jangan Main-main Dengan Kelaminmu and Mereka Bilang, Saya Monyet!, says the label is a form of unwanted attention based on their appearance rather than their work. Mariana Amiruddin, who manages the women's magazine Jurnal Perempuan, argues that the label focuses on the writers' physical traits instead of treating their writing as serious or equal to that of male authors.

History

The sastra wangi movement is often believed to have started with Ayu Utami’s novel Saman. This movement began after a time of strict control under Suharto’s New Order government. Utami’s work encouraged other young women writers to create books, poems, and stories with similar themes. Most critics, who were men, called the new movement sastra wangi and were upset by the way the works did not focus on traditional ideas of femininity.

Utami’s first novel combined topics about sex and politics, which was a new and bold approach in Indonesian literature. Her work inspired other female writers, such as Djenar Maesa Ayu and Fira Basuki, to write about subjects that had previously been considered unsuitable for women. Utami has continued to write stories with these same themes.

Themes and commonalities

A. Junaidi and Suryakusuma, writing in The Jakarta Post, explain that sastra wangi writers share several characteristics. Their works are often introduced in cafes and bookstores, with famous people and reporters invited to events. The writers are typically younger women who begin their careers around the age of 30 and are often described as physically attractive.

These works frequently address topics such as sexuality, which has traditionally been avoided in Indonesian women's literature. This includes themes like homosexuality. Suryakusuma points out that these writings challenge traditional views of sex, where men are usually the focus and women are the object. In contrast, these works show women taking the initiative and enjoying sexual experiences. The language used can be direct, with terms like penis and vagina appearing often. The content and language are often described as "shocking." While female-centered stories have existed in Indonesian literature, such as those by Nh. Dini in the 1970s, they generally stayed within accepted social norms. The sastra wangi movement, however, often goes against these norms.

Reception

M. Taufiqurrahman, writing in The Jakarta Post, mentions that some books from the sastra wangi movement have been well-received by readers outside Indonesia. Suryakusuma states that sastra wangi works have helped advance the development of literature in Indonesia since the release of Saman. Historically, Indonesian novels have not sold many copies within the country, with most selling only a few thousand copies. Even large publishers usually print only 3,000 copies or fewer. However, books by Djenar Maesa Ayu and Ayu Utami have sold tens of thousands of copies. Saman alone sold 100,000 copies.

The poet Taufiq Ismail strongly opposed the sastra wangi movement, writing that "genital literature had gone too far." At the same time, the novelist and literary scholar Sapardi Djoko Damono wrote that the future of Indonesian literature depends on "the hands of women writers."

Notable members and works

• Ana Maryam
• Ayu Utami
• Dewi "Dee" Lestari
• Dinar Rahayu
• Djenar Maesa Ayu
• Fira Basuki
• Maya Wulan
• Nova Riyanti Yusuf
• Ratih Kumala