JAKARTA - Inggit Garnasih is a woman with great service for the independence of Indonesia. During her life, Inggit was not only the wife of Soekarno, but also the backbone of the family. Inggit made every effort, including selling, from powder, herbs to cigarettes. Inggit became Sukarno's main supporter in school and in many political activities. Through her contribution Inggit is known as the "Mother of Independence."
Inggit's sacrifice to Soekarno and the nation was so great. Inggit, who was several years older than Bung Karno, seemed destined to give strength to the Son of the Dawn when facing tough situations in the era of the movement.
All because Inggit was not new to the world of movement. It was noted that Inggit had been a member of the Sarekat Islam (SI) Bandung. As an active member, Inggit and her former husband (Haji Sanusi) have worked hand in hand to realize the ideals of an independent nation.
Even when Inggit chose Soekarno as a substitute for Haji Sanusi, Inggit continued to carry the spirit of struggle. Including when Bung Karno's anti-colonial orations began to disturb the ears of the Dutch colonial government.
In order to maintain peace, Bung Karno 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 moves to help her husband.
“To support her husband's struggle, Mrs. Inggit does everything from selling powder, to concocting herbal medicine, to even becoming a seamstress. All of that sincerely lived to provide for his family. Mrs. Inggit was already quite proud of Bung Karno's spirit which never quenched the fighting spirit in the hearts of the Indonesian youth at that time. The newlyweds complement each other,” said Abraham Panumbangan in the book The Uncensored of Bung Karno (2016).
In this poor condition Inggit always found a way to support Bung Karno's struggle. Whenever there is an opportunity to visit her husband in Sukamiskin, Inggit always makes time to come twice a week.
Even though his economy was still in misery, Inggit still forced herself to visit and at the same time give Soekarno money in prison. Inggit's spirit was so strong, she was willing to force herself to walk because she didn't have the money to rent a vehicle from Jalan Prosecutors to Sukamiskin.
Soekarno and Inggit in Bengkulu (Source: ikimedia Commons)
“Of course there are certain needs in my husband that cause me to have to figure out how to fulfill my husband's wishes. Sometimes he asks for money, I have experience with this when Kusno was still in Banceuy. Once upon a time Kusno asked for up to sixty guilders," said Inggit Garnasih, quoted by Ramadhan KH in Soekarno's book: Kuantar Ke Pintu (1988).
“Soekarno said: (money) to be distributed to the guards. I believe. Isn't that one way that the few who are held back can have limited desires or pleasures? So that the guards will be kind to the guarded, that's at least, "he added.
Cigarettes are tools of struggle
When Bung Karno was imprisoned, Inggit showed extraordinary fortitude. He worked hard to use his abilities to support his family, as well as help Bung Karno in prison. To make a living, Inggit does many things.
In that context, Inggit even worked with metal craftsmen to make machetes and other iron tools in Ciwidey, South Bandung. The profit from this business is used as capital to buy the main ingredients for the cigarette business, such as palm leaves (Sundanese: kawung) and tobacco.
Inggit's business of rolling cigarettes from kawung leaves sold well. Each pack of cigarettes contains 10 sticks. In which case, the cigarettes were branded "Kawung Ratna Djuami Cigarettes made by Ibu 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 Inggit Garnasih-style cigarettes also perpetuated the echoes of Bung Karno's resistance to the colonial government in various regions.
"The cigarettes were selling well. The buyers who also became supporters of Bung Karno's struggle consisted of small people. They argue 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).
The narrative of cigarettes sold by Inggit as a means of struggle was then more lasting among the bumiputra farmers. With full awareness to help the struggle, not infrequently some of the farmers pay for cigarettes more than the price sold. This effort was called by the peasants as a form of participation in the struggle of Big Brother.
“The farmers smoked the cigarettes with the awareness that they had to buy them, as participation in the struggle. Even then, Mrs. Inggit earned a decent income from cigarettes. Inggit Garnasih said: thanks to the participation of the whole community. They bought at different prices without thinking, basically contributing to the continuation of Bung Karno's struggle," wrote a report in the Buana newspaper Sunday, November 18, 1979, quoted by Deni Rachman in the book Special Stories of Inggit Garnasih (2020).
"If I don't have money, how can I visit my husband, send him various orders, make contacts with comrades in arms who are scattered in almost all corners of the country," added Inggit Garnasih.
*Read other information about SOEKARNO or read other interesting articles from Detha Arya Tifada.
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