A Heritage of Two Worlds: A Fantasy Novel of Chinese-Indonesian Culture Through Lontong Cap Go Meh
April 15, 2025
KILASJATIM.COM, SURABAYA – A plate of Lontong Cap Go Meh, typically containing sliced rice cake, coconut milk sauce, and Opor Ayam (chicken soup), is a staple dish on the 15th day after the Chinese New Year celebration, traditionally celebrated by the Chinese community. Through Lontong Cap Go Meh, Dr Shienny Megawati Sutanto, S.Sn., M.M., M.Ds., a lecturer in Visual Communication Design at Ciputra University (UC), released a fantasy novel entitled: A Heritage of Two Worlds. The novel tells the story of the beauty of Chinese-Indonesian culture.
“I wanted to convey to my nieces and relatives about two cultures, Chinese and Indonesian, that then merged into one, and that is indeed the philosophical message in Lontong Cap Go Meh. That was the beginning. Because it wasn’t easy to convey that, the solution I chose was to write it as a novel. And the title is: Warisan Dua Dunia (Two World Heritage),” explained Shienny, Tuesday (April 15, 2025).
Shienny’s novel, Warisan Dua Dunia (Two World Heritage), became part of her doctoral dissertation, starting in 2022, when she entered her third semester. The research and writing of the novel were completed in June 2024, and it was specifically released to coincide with the Cap Go Meh celebrations.
In Warisan Dua Dunia, Shienny deliberately explores the richness of Peranakan culture that she experienced as a child, as part of a Chinese family living and settling not far from the Hok An Kiong Temple on Jl. Coklat, Surabaya. “The Hok An Kiong Temple also inspired the novel “Warehouse of Two Worlds.” Writing a novel with a cultural background requires research, and it’s not easy. Therefore, although the research was completed in 2022, the writing of “Warehouse of Two Worlds” was completed in 2024. It’s certainly not easy. Chinese and Indonesian culture must be truly felt when read,” said Shienny.
Shienny, also known as a prolific novelist and illustrator, noted that “Warehouse of Two Worlds” contains at least 18 illustrations of her own, including depictions of the 12 zodiac signs, which she found challenging. Shienny added that “Warehouse of Two Worlds” is available as a full-colour e-book. The printed version, however, is black and white.
Shienny hopes that with this novel, “Warehouse of Two Worlds” will help young people learn more about Chinese and Indonesian culture. “Hopefully, Heritage of Two Worlds, packaged as a fantasy novel through the tradition and cuisine of Lontong Cap Go Meh, can inspire young people to understand more about culture, particularly Chinese and Indonesian culture,” Shienny concluded. (tok)