Yellowization Versus Tradition: Yellowization Event in Solo City 1997

Abstract

This research discuss the Yellowization program that occurred in Solo City in 1997. Yellowization is a program initiated by the Governor of Central Java, Soewardi in 1995. This program was then welcomed by regents and mayors throughout Central Java, including Imam Sutopo who is the Mayor of Solo. Yellowization is a policy to color the environment in central Java with yellow which is the color of the greatness of the Golkar Party. This policy is more intensively carried out ahead of the 1997 elections. In Solo, this policy caused widespread resistance. This is because Yellowization targets traditional political and cultural institutions, namely the Surakarta Kingdom or the Solo Keraton. Although it no longer has formal political power, in fact the Solo Keraton still has a strong cultural influence. The Keraton Solo was part of the target of Yellowization. The building in North Alun-Alun which was originally white was painted yellow by the government. This action was met with resistance from the Keraton who considered the government to have stepped on the dignity and cultural traditions of the Palace. Because the Keraton Solo color is identical to the white and blue colors. While the yellow color is more identical with the color of the Yogyakarta Keraton which is nothing but an empire that had been involved in a civil war with the Solo Keraton. Inevitably, Yellowization caused direct resistance from the Palace. On the other hand, the cultural power of the Keraton Solo still influenced the people who later fought back by launching a counter-action namely 'Whiteisation'. In this study, questions will be answered about how the Solo Keraton and the people of Solo oppose the Yellowization policy?