Pramoedya Ananta Toer's Bumi Manusia (This Earth of Mankind) is more than just a famous novel—it's a major part of Indonesia’s cultural and literary history.
Centered on the characters Minke, Annelies, and Nyai Ontosoroh during the Dutch colonial era, the story has gained renewed attention from younger generations in the digital age.
Here are five compelling facts that uncover the legacy of this epic—and how it continues to inspire Millennials and Gen Z today.
1. Written in Prison—on Cement Bags
Few literary masterpieces have origins as stark as Bumi Manusia. Pramoedya Ananta Toer penned this seminal work not in a comfortable study, but while imprisoned as a political detainee on the remote Buru Island between 1965 and 1979.
Accused of involvement with the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), Pramoedya faced harsh conditions and was initially forbidden from writing. Undeterred, and with help from a friend who supplied materials, he began crafting the story.
Lacking proper paper and ink, he ingeniously used discarded cement bags as his canvas and brewed ink from charcoal. Fearful of confiscation by prison guards—who had previously burned one of his manuscripts—Pramoedya took the extraordinary step of burying the precious pages of Bumi Manusia in the ground until his release.
This act of defiance ensured the survival of a story that would later captivate the world.
2. Banned but Booming—It's Still Widely Read
Published in August 1980 by Hasta Mitra, a publishing house co-founded by Pramoedya and fellow ex-political prisoners, Bumi Manusia became an instant bestseller. However, its success was short-lived in the eyes of the authorities.
In May 1981, Indonesia's New Order regime under Soeharto officially banned the novel (along with its sequel, Anak Semua Bangsa) via an Attorney General's decree. The government, wary of Pramoedya's past association with the leftist cultural organization Lekra, accused the book of propagating Marxism and Communism, ideologies the regime sought to suppress.
Despite the ban and efforts to confiscate copies, the novel had already spread widely. Authorities managed to retrieve only 972 copies, a fraction of the estimated 20,000 already in circulation.
This official prohibition paradoxically amplified the novel's allure, turning it into a symbol of resistance read covertly by many, cementing its status as a forbidden yet essential text during the Orde Baru era.
3. Minke's Real-Life Muse—The Father of Indonesian Journalism
The protagonist of Bumi Manusia, the intelligent and conflicted Javanese student Minke, is not entirely a product of Pramoedya's imagination. His character is largely inspired by the life of Raden Mas Djokomono Tirto Adhi Soerjo (1880-1918), a key figure in Indonesia's national awakening and widely regarded as the father of Indonesian journalism.
Like the fictional Minke, Tirto Adhi Soerjo was a Javanese native educated in a European system who used his writing skills to challenge colonial injustices and advocate for his people.
He founded the first native-owned newspaper, Medan Prijaji, which served as a platform for indigenous voices and critiques of the colonial administration, much like Minke's writings in the novel.
By basing Minke on this historical pioneer, Pramoedya grounded his narrative in the real struggles and aspirations of early Indonesian nationalism.
4. A Long Road to Film
Turning Bumi Manusia into a film was a long and challenging journey that took nearly 20 years and involved many well-known names in the industry—including some from Hollywood. The adaptation rights were first acquired in 2004, but the project ran into many setbacks.
At one point, renowned Hollywood director Oliver Stone showed interest and offered a large sum to adapt the novel, but Pramoedya declined, insisting the story should be handled by an Indonesian director.
Over time, several prominent local filmmakers were considered—such as Garin Nugroho, Riri Riza and Mira Lesmana, and Anggy Umbara—but each attempt faced obstacles like lack of funding or creative disagreements.
Mira Lesmana, for example, mentioned how difficult it was to find investors willing to support a film tied to Pramoedya’s politically sensitive legacy. In 2014, Falcon Pictures finally secured the rights and chose Hanung Bramantyo to direct—a filmmaker who had dreamed of adapting Bumi Manusia since his university years.
This long process reflects just how important—and complex—it is to bring such a legendary and politically loaded story to the screen.
5. The “Dilan” Effect—And a Casting Controversy
When Hanung Bramantyo’s film adaptation of Bumi Manusia was finally made, the choice of Iqbaal Ramadhan as Minke sparked a lot of discussion.
Iqbaal, best known for his romantic role in the hit films Dilan 1990 and Dilan 1991, was seen by some as too young or not serious enough to play such a deep and intellectual character.
Many people on social media questioned whether he was the right fit for such an important role. However, others saw his casting as a smart move by the filmmakers and screenwriter Salman Aristo to attract Millennial and Gen Z viewers, using Iqbaal’s huge fanbase to bring attention to the film.
Director Hanung Bramantyo also had doubts at first, but changed his mind after watching Iqbaal’s performance in Dilan 1990. The goal was to make this powerful but complex story easier to understand and more appealing to younger audiences who might not know much about Pramoedya’s work.
In the end, the movie’s strong ticket sales showed that this strategy worked, despite the initial controversy.
Bumi Manusia and Today’s Youth: Why It Still Matters
Though set in colonial times, Bumi Manusia remains deeply relevant today. Minke’s identity crisis between Javanese roots and European influence mirrors the modern struggle of Indonesian youth balancing tradition and change. His fight for justice and voice through writing speaks to a socially aware generation.
The novel’s focus on education—through Minke’s schooling and Nyai Ontosoroh’s self-taught success—shows how knowledge can challenge oppression. Its iconic quote about justice and thought continues to inspire.
The novel’s most iconic line—“Seorang terpelajar harus sudah berbuat adil sejak dalam pikiran apalagi dalam perbuatan” (“An educated person must act justly, starting from their thoughts, let alone their actions”)—continues to inspire young readers as a call for personal integrity and moral courage.
The love story between Minke and Annelies still resonates, touching on class, race, and societal pressure. The 2019 film drew over 1.3 million viewers and reignited youth interest. A six-hour extended cut is set for release in 2025.
From prison pages to cinemas, Bumi Manusia endures—its themes of resistance, identity, and courage still echo powerfully today.
As Nyai Ontosoroh said at the novel’s emotional conclusion—words that have become legendary:
“Kita sudah melawan, Nak, Nyo. Sebaik-baiknya, sehormat-hormatnya.”
(“We fought, child, Nyo. As best we could, as honorably as we could.”)
It’s that spirit of resistance, dignity, and hope that ensures Bumi Manusia remains not just a work of history—but a living story that speaks to Indonesia’s present and future.
