Heaptalk, Jakarta — The preservation of Betawi culture receives a fresh boost with the launch of the e-book “Betawi Punye Cerite” by RUNCING (Ruang Belajar Untuk Cilincing means Study Space for Cilincing), a non-thesis program under the LSPR Institute focused on achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education.
The e-book launch was the highlight of #BerbudayeDiCilincing, an educational initiative held on April 23–24, 2025, at the Jakarta Maritime Museum, Rumah Si Pitung, in Marunda, North Jakarta. Targeting students from SMPN 290 Marunda, the event featured six interactive learning stations that allowed participants to experience Betawi culture firsthand in an engaging format.
RUNCING collaborated with the North Jakarta Department of Culture, which provided traditional Betawi musical instruments along with expert instructors. Support also came from the North Jakarta Department of Tourism and Creative Economy, which assigned pairs of Abang None Jakarta Utara as facilitators for the dance, martial arts, and traditional costume learning stations.
Following the event, RUNCING introduced the “Betawi Punye Cerite” e-book as a form of continuous cultural education. Based on the 2024 Abang None Jakarta Utara booklet, the e-book is designed to be simple and accessible for students and the general public alike. It is available via QR codes posted at SMPN 290 and Rumah Si Pitung, with printed copies also distributed to both locations as a gesture of appreciation and to promote cultural literacy.
“Through this e-book, we aim to offer an accessible way for young people to learn about Betawi culture. Our hope is that they won’t just recognize it, but also take pride in it as part of Jakarta’s identity,” said Thendrian Liunardi, RUNCING Program Leader.
The initiative has been met with enthusiastic responses. Bu Devi, the Principal of SMPN 290 Marunda, expressed her full support for the program. Pak Sumardi, Head of Operations at Rumah Si Pitung, also praised the effort, stating, “This is extraordinary—this book could serve as a valuable resource for the wider public to learn about Betawi culture.”
Prior to the main event, RUNCING held a public walking tour on April 12, 2025, to raise awareness about Betawi heritage and recruit volunteers for the program. This follows RUNCING’s earlier initiative in Cilincing’s Kampung Baru Nelayan area, where they conducted interactive learning sessions in collaboration with informal school Sekolah Di Utara.
Melvin Bonardo, faculty advisor and coordinator of #BerbudayeDiCilincing, emphasized the importance of integrating theory with hands-on practice. “After two days of cultural workshops, this e-book is meant to reinforce participants’ understanding through structured and accessible content,” he said.
