5 National Heroine Women to Be Emulated by Indonesian Women

Indonesia is a country that exists due to the struggles of its heroes in driving out colonizers. Not only men, but there are also many national heroes women who have greatly contributed to the independence of this nation.

These heroes made significant contributions in driving out colonizers while also inspiring the people to persevere. Because of their services, Indonesia dedicates a special day to commemorate them, which is November 10, known as Heroes' Day.

Who are the national female heroes who have contributed during the colonial period? Friends can learn about the 5 national female heroes below to study their perseverance, courage, and intelligence and apply them in life.

RA Kartini

Who doesn't know the book Habis Gelap, Terbitlah Terang? It contains a collection of letters that RA Kartini wrote to her friends in the Netherlands. Not just ordinary letters, in those letters, RA Kartini also learned how women should act, not just about obeying men, but also about being independent.

Due to RA Kartini's determination that women should be able to uphold their desires and receive education equal to men, she is dubbed as the icon of women's emancipation in Indonesia.

To honor all of RA Kartini's contributions, every April 21, the date of birth of this national female hero, is commemorated as Kartini Day. This commemoration also marks a history in Indonesia as a country that tries to eradicate discrimination against women.

Cut Nyak Dhien

Cut Nyak Dhien is a national female hero from Aceh who became an icon of resilient and tenacious women who fought to the last drop of blood against the Dutch.

She bravely followed the battles to attack. Cut Nyak Dhien married Teuku Umar, who was also a national hero who died in 1899, leaving Cut Nyak Dhien alone. She continued to fight fiercely on her own in Meulaboh with minimal troops and weapons.

Cut Nyak Meutia

Another national female hero from Aceh is Cut Nyak Meutia. Together with her husband, Teuku Muhammad, Cut Nyak Meutia became a tenacious hero in the battle against the Dutch.

After her husband was captured by the Dutch and sentenced to death in 1905, Cut Nyak Meutia married Pang Nanggroe. Unfortunately, Pang Nanggroe fell in battle in 1910 against the Marechaussee Corps.

At that time, Cut Nyak Meutia managed to escape and continued to resist the colonizers. However, 28 days after her husband was killed, Cut Nyak Meutia fell on October 24.

Martha Christina Tiahahu

This very tough national female hero was born on January 4, 1800. Martha Christina Tiahahu was already a strong woman from a young age. She even dared to fight the colonizers since she was 17 years old.

Martha Christina Tiahahu fought alone after her father was sentenced to death by the Dutch. However, her physical health declined until she was captured by the colonizers and taken to Java along with 39 other prisoners to be used as forced labor.

Resisting in her own way, when on the ship to Java, Martha Christina Tiahahu refused to be treated. And in January 1818, she took her last breath.

Nyi Ageng Serang

Nyi Ageng Serang, whose real name is Raden Ajeng Kustiyah Wulaningsih Retno Edi, is a descendant of Sunan Kalijaga. She is the daughter of Prince Natapraja. Together with her family, Nyi Ageng Serang fought against the colonizers.

In the midst of the struggle, Nyi Ageng Serang's family fell, leaving only her. She continued to fight and even managed to devise war strategies and became an advisor to Prince Diponegoro. Nyi Ageng Serang died at the age of 76 due to malaria.

These are the national female heroes whose spirits are very high and should be used as a role model in the struggle. Indeed, there are no more colonizers now, but the spirit of making Indonesia remain prominent on the world stage can certainly emulate their qualities.

Author: Nisa Maulan Shofa