The Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Indonesia (FIB UI), celebrated another academic milestone through a doctoral promotion ceremony held at the Tjan Tjoe Som Auditorium, Hoesein Djajadiningrat Building, 1st Floor, on Saturday, 4 July 2026. During the ceremony, Daniel Hariman Jacob successfully defended his dissertation titled “Changes and Preservation of Sabu Cultural Identity Through the Tradition of Lontar Palm and Palm Sugar Management” and was awarded a Doctorate in Literary Studies with the distinction of Highly Satisfactory. This achievement makes him the 492nd doctoral graduate of FIB UI and the 11th doctoral graduate from the Doctoral Program in Literary Studies in 2026.
The doctoral promotion was chaired by Dr. Untung Yuwono, S.S., Dean of FIB UI. The dissertation was supervised by Prof. Manneke Budiman, S.S., M.A., Ph.D., as the promoter, with Dr. M. Yoesoef and Tommy Christomy, Ph.D. serving as co-promoters. The examination committee consisted of Shuri Mariasih Gietty Tambunan, Ph.D., Dr. Novi Siti Kussuji Indrastuti, M.Hum., Dr. Priscilla Fitriasih Limbong, and Dr. Syahrial.
The dissertation explores the transformation and preservation of the cultural identity of the Sabu people through their long-standing tradition of managing lontar palm trees and producing Sabu palm sugar. The study is based on the belief of the people of Sabu Raijua that the lontar palm (Borassus flabellifer) is the “tree of life” because it plays a vital role in their social, cultural, economic, and spiritual life. For the Sabu community, the lontar palm is more than a source of livelihood—it is also a symbol of cultural identity passed down from one generation to the next.
Using a qualitative descriptive approach, the research was conducted between 2020 and 2025 through observations and interviews with traditional leaders, cultural figures, religious leaders, local content teachers, and lontar palm tappers across six districts in Sabu Raijua Regency. The findings show that managing lontar palm trees and preserving the tradition of Sabu palm sugar production remain essential elements of the community’s cultural identity. The philosophy “Rai Hawu, Rai Due Nga Donahu” (Sabu Island, Lontar Island, and Palm Sugar) reflects the close relationship between the Sabu people, their natural environment, and their cultural heritage.
This doctoral promotion reflects FIB UI’s commitment to producing research that contributes to the advancement of knowledge, particularly in the fields of literature, culture, and oral traditions. Daniel Hariman Jacob’s achievement further strengthens FIB UI’s role in advancing humanities research that supports the preservation of local wisdom and Indonesia’s rich cultural diversity. (NT)
