EduAsiaNews, Ciputat – Prof. Jajang Jahroni, Ph.D., Professor of History at the Faculty of Adab and Humanities (FAH), Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta, has officially published his debut novel, Secangkir Kopi Terakhir Ayah (Father’s Last Cup of Coffee). The novel explores themes of identity, historical reconciliation, love, and sacrifice against the backdrop of life in Banten.
Structured around a dual-timeline narrative, the novel follows the journey of an Indo-Dutch member of parliament who travels to Indonesia in the summer of 1991 in search of his biological father, Kartiwa. Kartiwa is portrayed as a freedom fighter who chose to spend the rest of his life in seclusion in a remote village in the interior of Banten.
The search gradually uncovers a past filled with sacrifice, love, struggle, and secrets hidden for decades. Behind Kartiwa’s reputation as a local hero lies a profound story of historical trauma, exile, and the enduring significance of intergenerational reconciliation that transcends national boundaries and time.
Beyond being a family story, Secangkir Kopi Terakhir Ayah showcases the rich cultural heritage of Banten as the soul of its narrative. Traditions such as coffee drinking, the martial art of silat, agrarian life, and local folklore are authentically woven into the story, enriching its atmosphere while introducing readers to the region’s cultural wisdom.
The novel’s emotional depth is further enhanced through the complex relationships among its characters, including a love triangle involving Kartiwa, Arbaiyah, and Mariam. Their personal struggles illustrate how love, sacrifice, and life choices are often inseparable from the broader course of human history.
Prof. Jajang revealed that writing a novel had been a lifelong dream since his school years.
“The desire to write a novel has been with me since I was a teenager. Although my academic journey led me to focus on research, my passion for storytelling has never faded,” he said.
After years of dedication, the novel was completed and published by SIGMA Publishing.
“This novel is my effort to preserve memory, present history in a more human way, and celebrate the cultural richness of Banten through literature,” he added.
He expressed his hope that the novel would help readers recognize that history is more than a sequence of events—it is a story about people, families, identity, and hope.
“I hope readers will not only enjoy the storyline but also discover the importance of understanding one’s roots, forgiving the past, and embracing reconciliation. I believe literature can bridge spaces that cannot always be explained through academic works,” he said.
Prof. Jajang Jahroni is a prolific scholar known for his books and academic publications in Islamic studies. Born in Cikande, Serang, Banten, in 1967, he studied at IAIN Jakarta before continuing his education at the Leiden University and earning his doctoral degree in the United States. He currently serves as a Professor at Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta.
Despite his distinguished academic career, his passion for literature has remained strong. His inspiration to write fiction began during his school years through reading Indonesian literary works and was further enriched while studying abroad, where he immersed himself in the writings of renowned Indonesian authors, including Ahmad Tohari, Pramoedya Ananta Toer, Umar Kayam, Kuntowijoyo, and Y.B. Mangunwijaya.
Secangkir Kopi Terakhir Ayah is Prof. Jajang’s first novel and is planned as the opening installment of a trilogy currently in development. Through this work, he demonstrates that academics can contribute not only through scholarly publications but also through literature that touches the human spirit while preserving the nation’s collective memory.
