 Professor
Koentjaraningrat is a prominent anthropologist who represents present
day Asia. As a man of culture, he is widely respected by his people in
every profession while also enjoying a high international reputation.
Born and raised in
traditional Javanese culture, Professor Koentjaraningrat pursued anthropology
in the United States. As a young scholar, he drew international attention
for his excellent monographs on the kinship, community work, religion
and other aspects of Javanese society. At home, he has made an earnest
effort to establish anthropology as a new science by observing not only
his work, but also other systems of learning, including the training of
young scholars, as well as education, in general. His devotion and contributions
into these fields of study have been immeasurable.
Professor Koentjaraningrat
commenced his socio-cultural studies by analyzing and interpreting traditional
organizations in Java, while conducting field work in South Java. His
scholastic work on Java has been compiled in Javanese Culture, which is
a landmark in area studies. Extending his field work to western nations,
Professor Koentjaraningrat has made substantial contributions in anthropological
theory including papers on the history of anthropology and the introduction
of new perspectives into western-originated anthropology. "Anthropology
in Indonesia", in particular, is an epoch-making comprehensive piece
of work which criticizes conventional works of ethnology and ethnography.
The book is credited with having drastically changed the trend of Indonesian
studies.
With his broad knowledge
of anthropology, Professor Koentjaraningrat has written strongly on the
issues many Asian nations now face, such as problems in development and
modernization. Seeing hasty development in modern society, he is deeply
concerned about the fate of traditional culture and stresses the need
for human coexistence based on appropriate education. His positive suggestions
have exerted influence on policies of development.
Professor Koentjaraningrat
has also represented Indonesia at many international conferences. He has
also taught at various overseas universities as a visiting professor.
Sparing no efforts in promoting international exchange, he has received
numerous international honors and awards. Moreover, from 1967 to 1977,
he was active in establishing policies on social sciences and research
for Indonesia while serving as Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Institute
for Sciences. While constantly devoting himself to anthropology, he has
attracted many people with his sincere and courteous personality. He is
a rare scholar who enjoys wide confidence and respect from international
society.
The great achievements
of Professor Koentjaraningrat have not only cultivated frontiers in Indonesian
anthropology. They have also demonstrated the significance of Asian culture
and the study on Asian culture. These accomplishments have greatly contributed
to the promotion of mutual understanding between Asia and the rest of
the world to make Professor Koentjaraningrat particularly worthy of receiving
the Grand Prize of the Fukuoka Asian Cultural Prizes. |
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