Abstract

This study depicts the role of Javanese women in dealing with social meaning, body, and moving space. It is derived from the idea that Javanese women are physically described as frail, tender, and inferior creatures who seemed to be protected and strictly controlled. Such a description has been represented in some sources, such as tales, documents, and societal events, exposing their inferiority elaborated in the erroneous analysis of the texts. As seen from another perspective, there are hidden powers of women from their nonphysical qualities, such as tenacity, determination, and conscience. Therefore, this study transforms the paradigm toward the Javanese women aiming at educating and treating them as physically nonresilient, especially in life-actualization endeavors. This multidisciplinary qualitative research follows the theories of ethnochoreology, psychology, sociology, and anthropology in analyzing data. The findings of this study reveal that Javanese women are socially placed as subordinates, as demonstrated in the female characters of Wayang Wong Yogyakarta. In contrast, from their nonphysical manner, the women act as a key mediator because they have the power of sensitivity, tenderness, and multiculturalism that enable them to interact and strongly influence other people. These positive attributes consequently shape the educational foundation and treatment in developing their potentials and roles in society.