“Dying with Gloryâ€: Martyrology in the Life- Narratives of Bali Bombers
windu wahyudi yusuf, Iqbal Ahnaf, Ph.D.
2013 | Tesis | S2 Agama dan Lintas Budaya-
This thesis investigates the making of contemporary Islamic martyrdom in the case of Bali Bombers' memoirs. It discusses the ways symbolic resistance against the state project against terrorism is committed through self-narratives written from behind the prison, in order to justify the terroristic acts which had made the authors received capital punishment. Prominent in the process of Bali Bombers' representation of martyrdom is the underlying idea that truth-claims should be asserted mainly through biographical portraits. These memoirs contribute, in the last analysis, to antagonistic vocabularies used by sympathizers or whoever identifies with their cause to address terrorism-related cases. This research is different as it delves into cultural construct manifested in stories of martyrdom, which in religious or in academic settings is invariably called martyrology. As an established tradition, contemporary Islamic martyr stories, especially in Indonesia, martyrology has prominently appeared in partisan media when it comes to conflicts and war, both in foreign and national levels. Needless to say, when the Bali Bombers write their memoirs, it effectively has earlier find its established cultural milieu, given the prominent visibility of Islamist politics in post-New Order era, and which further is strengthened by recent conflict in Afghanistan and local religious war. In this thesis, the memoirs constitute the paradigmatic example of contemporary martyrology in Indonesia, timely written by those whom sympathizers considers \"martyrs\", despite their martyrdom is heavily contested by different groups. This research takes on intertextual analysis to observe the process of of becoming martyr (deSoucey, et al, 2001), exploring different kinds of expression used in the texts, model narratives, the relevant social and cultural contexts, and personal histories. As conclusion, this thesis notes that the most important things in the resistance-through-martyrology of Bali Bombers are the attempt, on the part of the authors, to seek the expression which purportedly is able to give them a sense of impunity and ability to exempt from individual responsibilities, and at the other end of the story, help to foster a the feeling of self-victimization among the readers. Such has contributed to the language used collectively to gloss over contemporary political violence done in the name of religion.
Kata Kunci : Bali Bombing, martyology, life-narratives
