Macapat from the Kraton Yogyakarta: Classic Poems for a Contemporary Catastrophe

The Kraton Yogyakarta created classical poetry to confront a contemporary crisis. Prince KPH Notonegoro wanted to educate and entertain people during this hard time, so he asked Mas Wedana Susilomadyo, a member of his staff (an abdidalem), to compose macapat addressing the challenges of the coronavirus, to help people face this difficult situation with a cool head and a calm heart. These new macapat, written in the enduring traditional forms, apply the wisdom of Javanese philosophy to the challenge of an unexpected and unimaginable crisis.