February 17, 1888 Memory: Birthday Mother Of Independence, Inggit Garnasih

Soekarno and Inggit Garnasih (dark kebaya) in Bengkulu. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA - Today 134 years ago, or February 17, 1888, to be exact, a great woman named Inggit Garnasih was born in Bandung. He has a great service for the independence of Indonesia. During her lifetime, Inggit not only served as Soekarno's wife, but also fought with her husband. Inggit contributed a lot to the sustainability of Bung Karno's school and political activities. Hence, people nicknamed her the “Mother of Freedom.” Maybe without Inggit the struggle for independence is a necessity.

Inggit's loyalty to Soekarno was unquestionable. Since getting married, Inggit always accompanies Bung Karno in good and bad times. Inggit could transform into anything for Bung Karno: best friend, wife, and discussion partner.

The first President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soekarno. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

In fact, Inggit was always loyal to accompany Bung Karno during difficult times. She took over the task of being the backbone when her husband was active in political activities. Not without reason. Inggit and Bung Karno both had the aspiration to see their people free from the shackles of colonialism.

“In the PNI era, people recognized me as a leader, but my condition was still poor. Inggit earns money by selling the powder and beauty ingredients she makes herself in our kitchen. In addition, we welcome people to eat, even though our house on Jalan Dewi Sartika 22 is small. The person we live with is named Suhardi, another is Dr. Samsi who uses the front porch as an accounting firm and another friend of mine, Ir. Anwari."

“The middle room is our architectural bureau. Rent a total of 75 a month. Suhardi's meal allowance is about 35 rupiah. I say 'approximately' because apart from that amount I often borrow a few extra rupiahs. Even Inggit herself borrowed a little from him. It is a blessing from God the Most Merciful, that He has given us a living in small ways," said Soekarno as written by Cindy Adams in Bung Karno's book: Connecting the Tongue of the Indonesian People (1965).

Hand-rolled Cigarette Business

Not only during politics. Inggit's most prominent role was when her husband was detained in Benceuy Prison (1928), then continued to Sukamiskin Prison (1930). Inggit doesn't want to go through that phase just to wait in uncertainty.

Inggit actually moved to help her husband. Inggit also worked on hand-rolled cigarettes. All of that to pay for her husband's needs while he was a prisoner. Inggit's business of rolling cigarettes from kawung leaves sold well. Each pack of cigarettes contains 10 sticks. The cigarettes were branded "Kawung Ratna Djuami Cigarettes made by Mrs. Inggit Garnasih." The cigarette then became a tool of struggle.

Everyone who sympathizes with Bung Karno's struggle will buy the cigarettes. Along with that, the spread of cigarettes in the style of Inggit Garnasih also helped perpetuate the echo of Bung Karno's resistance to the colonial government in various regions.

Soekarno reading the text of the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence on 17 August 1945. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Inggit also accompanied her husband when he was exiled to Ende (1934), then Bengkulu (1938). This proof of unmatched loyalty earned her the nickname "Mother of Freedom." Inggit became a woman who was able to take Soekarno to the gates of independence.

"The cigarettes were selling well. The buyers who were also supporters of Bung Karno's struggle consisted of small people. They think that buying cigarettes means helping the economic household of the leader who is concerned."

“In addition, assistance was received from Mr. Sartono, Moh. Thamrin, Sukartono (RA Kartini's older brother), Tan Tjoei Gien (owner of a cloth shop on Jalan Raya Barat), and Mrs. Wardoyo (Bung Karno's older brother)," wrote Her Suganda in the book The Special Story of Bung Karno (2010).

Inggit Garnasih died on April 13, 1984 at the age of 96 years. Inggit is buried at TPU Babakan Ciparay, Bandung.