A saying goes that logistics won’t win a war, but without logistics a war cannot be won. Behind the clatter of weapons on the path to independence, Indonesia’s victory was also cooked in a community kitchen by female heroes.
Two key figures were Dariah “Dar Mortar” in East Java and Nyi Kusnah Ruswo in Yogyakarta. Both made sure the fighters’ stomachs stayed full for the Republic of Indonesia to stand.
Compiled from detikJatim, CXO Media, Integrative Perspectives of Social and Science Journal (IPSSJ), Ensiklopedia P2K STEKOM, and DIY Cultural Office, here is the story of these two logistics heroines of independence. Come on, read the full story!
<section id="section-detail-2" class="multi-card " data-page="2" data-page-title="Bu Dar Mortir: Sang Inisiator Logistik Garis Depan Surabaya" dtr-evt="halaman selanjutnya" dtr-sec="halaman selanjutnya" dtr-act="tombol halaman selanjutnya" dtr-id="322938" dtr-ttl="Bu Dar Mortir: Sang Inisiator Logistik Garis Depan Surabaya" onclick="_pt(this)" readability="27">
<h2 class="fw-bold fs-5">Bu Dar Mortir: Pioneer of Front‑Line Logistics in Surabaya</h2>
<div readability="9">
<img src="https://akcdn.detik.net.id/visual/2026/08/11/bu-dar-mortir-sosok-yang-memprakarsai-berdirinya-51-titik-dapur-umum-untuk-pejuang-di-surabaya-foto-Thecuy.com-1786513959212.png?w=700&q=90" alt title/>
<p>Bu Dar Mortir, the person who initiated the establishment of 51 community kitchens for fighters in Surabaya/ Photo: detik.com</p>
</div>
<p>She was born in Purwokerto in 1904 into a civil servant family and dared to leave her comfortable life behind. The nickname "Dar Mortar" stuck to her because she would toss <em>susur</em> (betel leaf) at young men who teased her or at her slow‑moving subordinates.</p>
At that time, Bu Dar Mortir, together with other mothers, took the initiative to manage a community kitchen to feed the fighters in Surabaya, known as the food guarantee. Her principle was that people could work calmly and enthusiastically when their stomachs were full. The kitchen operated 24 hours a day and could produce up to 15,000 wrapped meals daily, always ready for distribution before sunrise.
She distributed logistics by disguising herself as a trader. When she encountered the problem of wrapped rice often spoiling because it was wrapped while still hot, she solved it by building 51 community kitchen points along the Gresik‑Sidoarjo defensive line.
A remarkable sacrifice occurred when Surabaya retreated to Jombang in March 1947. At that time, many city residents had left and the troops were beginning to starve, so she pawned 100 grams of her gold bracelet and necklace at a Chinese store to buy food. In addition to food logistics, she also initiated Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) posts to care for wounded soldiers.
Ibu Ruswo: Logistics Heroine of Yogyakarta and Women’s Rights Advocate
Ibu Ruswo, the driving force behind community kitchens in Yogyakarta who was also active in advocating for women’s rights/ Photo: budaya.jogjaprov.go.id
Nyi Kusnah Ruswo Prawiroseno, known as Ibu Ruswo, was a heroine from Yogyakarta who was born in 1905. She began handling logistics during the 1941 Perkino Jamboree activities. Later, BKR assigned her to arrange food and drink for the troops. Even during the second Dutch military aggression, her house was used as the SWK 101 Command Post.
Ibu Ruswo coordinated mothers in Yogyakarta and surrounding areas to gather food ingredients and cook them in community kitchens. She also organized the distribution of these supplies to troops outside the region, such as Magelang, Ambarawa, and Semarang. In the gaps between kitchen duties, she and her husband acted as secret couriers, smuggling documents of General Sudirman and Lieutenant Colonel Suharto inside a bicycle’s handgrip and saddle.
Despite having only completed the second grade of elementary school, her ideas were very progressive in raising women’s issues. During the Dutch colonial era, she was active in Isteri Indonesia, raising struggle funds by opening food stalls during Sekaten celebrations. Through P4A (Association for the Eradication of Trafficking in Women and Children), she protected female workers and strongly opposed the trafficking of women, which she called a rampant global disease that transcended race and social class.
During the Japanese occupation, her dedication continued at BPKKP (Assistance Agency for Families of Struggle Victims). Her sincere devotion to caring for soldiers earned her great respect, and she was even considered a mother by the troops, earning the nickname Ibu Prajurit.
Awards and Humanitarian Legacy
Scene of the community kitchen workers led by Bu Dar Mortir in Krian (1945‑1946) during the independence revolution/ Photo: musea.surabaya.go.id
After the war, both women continued their service. Bu Dar Mortir formed the Corps Wanita Berjuang (CWB) to assist widows of fighters facing economic difficulties. She also founded Panti Hargo Dedali, which still exists today as a shelter providing care and social support for veterans and the elderly.
Meanwhile, Ibu Ruswo joined the Committee for the Defense of Female Workers, continuing to show her concern for women’s issues at a time when few figures were speaking out about them.
In recognition of their long‑lasting service, the legacy of both heroines is preserved in dioramas at the Museum of Ten November and the Museum of Dharma Wiratama. Ibu Ruswo’s dedication was also acknowledged with the Panglima Divisi III Award (1947), the Bintang Gerilya (1958), and the naming of Jalan Ibu Ruswo in Yogyakarta (1981).
Thecuy, even though their names may not be widely known, their story shows that love for the homeland cannot be measured in wealth. They remind us sweetly that the sweat poured out in community kitchens is a pillar of victory, and that the rear lines of defense are just as important as the front lines in achieving independence.
***
Want to be part of the Buzznesia Community where you can join various exciting online and offline events held by Buzznesia/Beautynesia? This community is open to everyone, both women and men, and we also have a special community for those who are still students. Come on, join the Buzznesia Community. The way to join is REGISTER HERE!
<p>(naq/naq)</p>
terimakasih sudah mengunjungi thecuy. 🙂
Saya adalah penulis di thecuy.com, sebuah website yang berfokus membagikan tips keuangan, investasi, dan cara mengelola uang dengan bijak, khususnya untuk pemula yang ingin belajar dari nol.
Melalui thecuy.com, saya ingin membantu pembaca memahami dunia finansial tanpa ribet, dengan bahasa yang sederhana.