The Department of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering Universitas Indonesia (FTUI), has once again sent a large team of students to conduct a cultural excursion and contextual research in the Kajang area, Bulukumba Regency, South Sulawesi. This activity is part of an experiential learning process designed to immerse students in cultural values, local wisdom, and traditional architectural practices that remain well preserved today.
The excursion will take place from July 19 to August 7, 2025. During this period, students and accompanying lecturers will conduct intensive exploration across several villages, including Sobbu, Benteng, Tombolo, Pangi, Bongkina, Janayya, Balagana, and Balambina. Using ethnographic and spatial mapping approaches, the team will study various aspects such as geography, history, customs, social systems, village patterns, and the architectural forms of traditional Kajang houses.
This activity requires not only conceptual understanding but also discipline in adhering to local customs. All participants are expected to follow the traditional regulations of the indigenous Kajang community—such as wearing all-black clothing, speaking politely, and living in harmony with local values in their daily routines.
FTUI Dean Prof. Kemas Ridwan Kurniawan, S.T., M.Sc., Ph.D., expressed his appreciation for this initiative. “Through this program, we aim to instill a spirit of learning that engages directly with Indonesia’s social and cultural realities. The excursion to Kajang is not only about collecting architectural data, but also about learning life values, cultural wisdom, and harmony with nature and fellow human beings,” said Prof. Kemas.
Throughout the program, students will also participate in community activities such as cooking duties, maintaining household cleanliness, and attending traditional ceremonies that may take place during the excursion period. They will carry out visual documentation while respecting local restrictions regarding the use of equipment such as drones, measuring tools, or mobile phones—subject to permission from the Kajang Dalam indigenous community.
The FTUI Architecture team is expected to produce cultural mapping outputs and context-based design recommendations that will serve as intellectual contributions to the development of culturally sustainable areas.
This program reflects FTUI’s strong commitment to nurturing architecture graduates who are not only academically excellent but also culturally and socially sensitive in responding to the diverse development challenges across Indonesia.
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Public Communication Office
Faculty of Engineering Universitas Indonesia
