Novel 'Saman': Breaking Social Taboos in Indonesia

‘Saman’ by Ayu Utami, first published in 1998, marks a significant milestone in Indonesian literature, heralding the dawn of the ‘Sastra Wangi’ era. This work is more than just fiction; it breaks social, political, and sexual taboos that persisted during the New Order regime. The narrative structure is complex, with poetic yet straightforward language, depicting the dark side of humanity, oppression, and identity searches. The story unfolds through the perspectives of several key characters—Wisanggeni becomes Saman—and his four female friends. Saman, a former pastor, becomes a political dissident fighting for farmers’ rights in South Sumatra. Bold depictions of state violence, moralizing religion, and the quest for social justice make the novel relevant today. Ayu Utami highlights women’s roles, sexuality as part of human essence, and critiques religion that becomes futile against oppressive power.