Ende, the Footsteps of Pancasila’s Birth
The story of Pancasila’s birth as Indonesia’s state ideology — who conceived it and where — remains a topic of debate to this day. However, we must pay attention to Bung Karno (Sukarno) when discussing this matter.
Today, all of us as Indonesians commemorate Pancasila Day. June 1 marks the day when Bung Karno delivered his famous speech in front of the public during a session of BPUPK (the Investigating Committee for Preparatory Work for Indonesian Independence) on June 1, 1945. In this speech, Bung Karno first publicly introduced the concept and initial formulation of “Pancasila” as the philosophical foundation for an independent Indonesia.
When we talk about Bung Karno and Pancasila, we cannot ignore Ende — a region in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara. Ende holds the traces of Pancasila’s formulation and contemplation by Bung Karno and became the womb where Pancasila was born.
Ende was where Bung Karno was exiled after serving time in Sukamiskin prison. He spent four years in exile here with his beloved wife, Inggit Garnasih, his mother-in-law, and his adopted daughter, Ratna Djuami.
Before being exiled to Ende, Sukarno was a young student actively observing and engaging in the national political scene. While studying in Surabaya, he lived with HOS Tjokroaminoto, a prominent Islamic thinker and politician of the time — the leader of Sarekat Dagang Islam, which later transformed into the political party Sarekat Islam. HOS Tjokroaminoto greatly influenced Bung Karno’s political and religious views during that period.
When continuing his studies in Bandung, Bung Karno actively published newspapers printed at Drukerij Economy. Coincidentally, A. Hassan, a prominent figure from the Islamic organization Persis (Persatuan Islam), also printed his newspaper there. Naturally, they often met at the printing house, and A. Hassan further shaped Bung Karno’s political and religious perspectives.
The close relationship between Bung Karno and A. Hassan lasted for a long time — even during Bung Karno’s imprisonment in Sukamiskin, A. Hassan was one of the most frequent visitors, bringing books for Bung Karno to read. This bond, which Bung Karno himself considered a teacher-student relationship, continued through his exile in Ende.
The fishing village designated by the Dutch colonial government as Bung Karno’s place of open exile was filled with gardening, farming, reading books, and keeping up with newspapers available around his place of exile.
In Ende, Bung Karno immersed himself in Islamic teachings, reading various Islamic books ranging from jurisprudence (fiqh), Islamic history, to the thoughts and political movements of Islamic figures.
While in Ende, he exchanged letters with A. Hassan, a correspondence that lasted roughly two to three years, from 1934 to 1936. These letters expressed concerns about the stagnation of Indonesian Muslims, critiques of social, political, educational, and national life, among other topics. These letters hold immense historical significance and value.
Aside from his correspondence with A. Hassan, a modernist Islamic figure from Bandung, Bung Karno never lost his sharp intellect. On many occasions, he befriended people of different faiths — to deepen and sharpen his intellectual capacity.
For instance, his interfaith friendships led to support from local priests who encouraged Bung Karno in his fight against Dutch imperialism, fueling his spirit to continue the struggle. His interactions with the local community also broadened his perspectives.
Through his intellectual and spiritual struggles, Bung Karno formulated a collective platform for the Indonesian nation.
Ende holds historical significance, and its role cannot be ignored in reflecting on the birth of Pancasila. The four years Bung Karno spent in Ende were a beautiful time — a moment of closeness with his family in exile, a source of spirituality and religiosity, and a space for contemplation and the formulation of Pancasila.
Before leaving Ende, Bung Karno planted a Kokara tree — a type of tree with five leaves. Later, he named it the “Pancasila Tree.” It is said that Bung Karno reflected on the core principles of nationalism that would become the foundation of Pancasila under this tree.
Ende has become a central part of Indonesia’s historical journey — it is where Bung Karno contemplated the formulation of Pancasila and where the seeds of Pancasila were nurtured. Today, we celebrate the fruit of that contemplation.
Translated from Mojok.co — Ende, Jejak-jejak Lahirnya Pancasila
