iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

📷: Imran Rosadi (1), Hector Ruiz Golobart (2), Andre Saputra (3), Ayesha Sitara (4,5), AFP (6), Meyske F. Latuihamallo (7), Rhani Lilianti Kata (8)

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

A part of Aluk To Dolo religion, Ma'nene is held every 3 to 5 years and often treated as a family reunion. Family members return home, take pictures, eat, and share news with the exhumed loved ones. The bodies are then returned to burial chambers in places like Lo'ko Mata boulder cemetery (photo).

A photo of a Torajan girl smiling and posing with the corpse of her grandma, who was propped up. The corpse wore a pink dress with gold embroidery and orange sash.

A photo of a Torajan family taking a group photo with three mummified corpses of their family members. The corpses wear white shirt, sporty pants, and pink and turquoise pajamas. A hand can be seen taking their pictures with a phone.

A photo of a smiling grandma who was holding the mummified corpse of her grandchild.

A photo of a hillside cemetery where burial chambers were carved directly on the boulder. The burial chamber doors are decorated with woodcarvings with intricate patterns, buffalo's head, and several small statues.

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

In August 2025, several villages in Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi, held Ma'nene, a ritual of exhuming the bodies of loved ones from burial chambers, care for them, and clean them. It showcases love and connection beyond realms, a less grim attitude toward death. #WyrdWednesday

A photo of a Torajan man combing the greying hair of a corpse of a man dressed in brown suit, tie, and shirt. Next to him is a corpse of a woman in a white bridal dress.

A photo of a middle-aged Torajan man embracing a corpse of his relative, a man with white beard and sideburn in a pink shirt and batik head wrap. The corpse has a glasses and cigarette in his mouth.

A close up photo of a hand caressing the face of a corpse of a man with white mustache and beard. The corpse is mummified and is wearing a black hat, with a cigarette in his mouth.

A photo of a Torajan man taking care of the corpse of his wife, wearing a pink dress with an orange sash.

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I wish there were versions where Mr. Sudhiarto decided to show me the face of his Bard, not just the back. I'm sure I'd love it 🥲

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

The words are very close! That's "lajang." Orang bajang is mostly associated with small-sized supernatural creatures or spirits of babies, especially in Malay and Javanese folklore, although "bajang" itself can also mean "diminutive/small."

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

I just knew the sambal must be too spicy for Mr. Sudhiarto the day he decided Smaug the Golden should have been green.

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

For #TolkienTrewsday theme of "bows", I present the Beautiful Bare-chested Brown Bard aiming his arrow at green Smaug from the 1979 cover of Indonesian The Hobbit, drawn by Setyo Sudhiarto. Translated by A. Adiwiyoto, it used "orang bajang" for Dwarves instead of "kurcaci" like in the new version.

A scanned image of a worn down cover of The Hobbit Indonesia from 1976. The cover is yellow with a green dragon flying and breathing fire, below it a bare chested black haired and brown skinned man with green loincloth and sandals getting ready to fire an arrow to the dragon.

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

As a teen, I was praised by my parents for wanting to connect with Javanese culture since I never skipped wayang orang on TV every weekend. In reality, I had a crush on some performers and wayang orang was my queer awakening 💕 📷: Archives of Keraton Yogyakarta (1-3), Radio Republik Indonesia

A photograph of two male wayang orang performers wearing batik sarong tied around their waist, knee-length pants, tiered crowns, arm bracelets, and tiered necklaces. One is standing in a dancing form while the other one kneels. A group of gamelan ensemble plays behind them.

A photograph of two wayang orang performers, one man and another is a woman. Both wear batik sarong tied around their waist, tiered crowns, arm bracelets, and tiered necklaces. The man holds the woman's arm gently as they dance together.

A photo of wayang orang performance with two male actors locked in a battle dance. They wear similar batik sarong, red pants and sashes, and curved hairstyle with gold ornaments. They hold each other's arms.

A photo of two wayang orang performers, one man and one woman. The man has androgynous makeup. Both wear elaborate golden crown, a bat-shaped gold necklace, and arm bracelets. The man gently holds the woman's hand.

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

You got it! 😁 But yeah, there is certain type of fluidity in wayang orang that easily lends to queer interpretation or viewing. I truly think this could be the perfect medium to tell queer stories outside the mainstream narrative. The possibilities are endless.

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

A multi-genre anthology born from The Queer Muslim Project initiative, "On the Brink of Belief" features South Asian LGBTQIA+ authors who depict the multitude of queer experiences through the lens I'm culturally familiar with: from djinn and shakchunni to family drama and bathroom taboo. #Booksky

A photograph of a book titled On the Brink of Belief, with the editor's name Kazim Ali at the bottom. The book cover is white with images of two queer people walking together arm in arm, another couple embracing each other in a heart shape, three people gathering in celebratory gestures and raising their hands, and one pointing an arrow to the sky. The illustration is dominated by pink and green colors.

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

📷1, 2: Tropenmuseum archives 📷3: from "Indonesia Tanah Airku" book by G. Silitonga, R. Sukardi, and S. Tambunan.

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

The book contains 56 folded pages made of agarwood bark, which reaches 17 meters long when unfolded. A datu uses many types of pustaha like this as references for divination, prescriptions, and spells. They also use instruments like staff, blades, potion horns, and bamboo calendars.

An illustration of a datu or traditional priest of North Sumatra from 1952. He was sitting on a mat and opening a pustaha manuscript, whose pages were extended like accordion from his lap to the mat and on top of his left shoulder. He wore black pants, a dark fabric on his right shoulder, patterned sash, and a headwrap.

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

The Great Pustaha is a large Batak magic book from North Sumatra. Written by nine generations of datu/priest, it contains spells and potions to destroy villages, kill enemies, inspire love, and heal. The cover has a carving of Naga Padoha, a giant primordial serpent of the underworld. #WyrdWednesday

Photograph of an open page of The Great Pustaha. The two large pages are made of agarwood barks, depicting a giant dragon-like creature extending on both pages. The creature is covered with symbols and surrounded by small human-like and animal-like figures, along with small texts.

Photograph of The Great Pustaha when closed. The covers are made of black wood with a carving of Naga Padoha, tied with a twine to help opening the book. The back cover has four wooden "legs" that serve as the book stand and the "hooves" of Naga Padoha.

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

📷: Flip Schulke (Muhammad Ali), Sean Sexton/Getty Images (Jack Johnson)

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

"Just do sport and stop being political." Idk, I grew up with stories about Muhammad Ali and then (just recently) found out about Jack Johnson, and they had no other option but doing exactly that because the world around them made their existence and basic moral principle, essentially, political.

A black and white photograph of Muhammad Ali doing a boxing pose underwater. He wore a pair of boxing shorts and stood at the bottom of a swimming pool, in a pose that resembled a moment before a fight. The photo was taken from his side.

A black and white photocard of Jack Johnsons showing him standing wearing boxing gloves, boxing top and tight, and shoes. He raised his left fist and kept the right one in front of his chest. The handwriting underneath said "Jack Johnsons, who defeated Jeffries in America on July 4th, 1910."

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I Sit Beside the Fire and Think is my favorite poem by Tolkien about "journey's end". As the aging Bilbo sang it in Rivendell, he gave it a contemplative air; recalling past events in sorrow while anticipating returning loved ones. Love the use of seasons to mark passing times. #TolkienTrewsday

I Sit Beside the Fire and Think: a poem by J.R.R. Tolkien

I sit beside the fire and think
of all that I have seen
of meadow-flowers and butterflies
in summers that have been;

Of yellow leaves and gossamer
in autumns that there were,
with morning mist and silver sun
and wind upon my hair.

I sit beside the fire and think
of how the world will be
when winter comes without a spring
that I shall ever see.

For still there are so many things
that I have never seen:
in every wood in every spring
there is a different green.

I sit beside the fire and think
of people long ago
and people who will see a world
that I shall never know.

But all the while I sit and think
of times there were before,
I listen for returning feet
and voices at the door.

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Derek Barrantes @molluskshell.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

#TolkienTrewsday Week 188: Journey’s end “So comes snow after fire, and even dragons have their endings!” Nothing new from me this week, so I’ll just be resharing these two illustrations I’ve drawn depicting the endings of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

A colored illustration of Hobbiton based on an illustration by J.R.R. Tolkien. At the foreground, Bilbo can be seen riding a pony.

A colored illustration of a white ship sailing to the West as the sun sets. Aboard are (from left to right) Frodo Baggins, Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf the White, Galadriel, Elrond, and Cirdan. Cirdan steers the ship.

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Brian Weaver @brianitguy.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Journey's End by Tudor Mint. Here's Bilbo writing There and Back Again in front of his fireplace. If you look closely you can see Sting and his Mithril shirt on the table #Tolkien #TolkienTrewsday #TheHobbit @timbolton.bsky.social

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

She is! I didn't come closer because I didn't want to hinder her, but most of the colorful parts of her top, sash, headgear, and the large patterns on the front part of her skirt are intricate beadwork.

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

The Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan Airport in my hometown has an "art corner" (near the customer service desk) where traditional performers showcase their skills. Usually I see sape players, so it's nice to finally see an Enggang dance. Made me want to pick up the feather fans again.

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Books are from Jakarta-based independent bookshop, Transit Bookstore. Thank you for my best friend @tjqchristian.bsky.social and his mother Susan, my own mother, and my sister for these books. You made my birthday more special ❤️

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

All my birthday books are HERE. From Indigenous horror short stories to anthology by South Asian LGBTQIA+ authors (courtesy of The Queer Muslim Project), nonfiction books by Palestinian authors, social thriller by Tamil authors, and the new novel by queer Iraqi-Palestinian-Lebanese author. #Booksky

A photograph of seven books arranged on a wooden bench, adorned by a keffiyeh and a colorful woven scarf. The books are Everything We Thought Was Beautiful, On the Brink of Belief, Never Whistle at Night, Floodlines, Pizza before We Die, Fieldwork as a Sex Subject, Your Driver is Here.

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

📷: Irfan Anshori for ANTARA (1,2,3), Destyan Sujarwoko for ANTARA (4).

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Manten Tebu (Sugarcane Wedding) is a tradition in various regions in Java where two newly-harvested sugarcanes are dressed like bride and groom. They are carried to the sugar factory in a procession and become the first to be milled, symbolizing a hope for good and safe production. #WyrdWednesday

A photo of Manten Tebu ritual where a man and a woman, dressed in traditional Javanese wedding outfits, are washing two decorated sugarcanes. There is a screen for wayang puppet show behind them.

A photo of Manten Tebu ritual where a man and a woman, dressed in traditional Javanese wedding outfits, walking in a procession to the sugar mill facility while surrounded by entourage with offerings and parasol.

A photo of Manten Tebu ritual where a man and a woman, dressed in traditional Javanese wedding outfits, blessing the decorated sugarcanes in a procession to the sugar mill facility while surrounded by entourage with offerings and parasol.

A photo of two dolls of Javanese bride and groom surrounded by offerings and multiple sugarcanes at the mouth of the milling facility.

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

The Thror's Map belongs to the Tolkien Estate. Tolkien might have thought about the concept since the early 1930s.

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Thror's Map (left), drawn by Tolkien in 1936, and the sketch (right), featured in "J.R.R. Tolkien: Artist and Illustrator" by Hammond & Scull. The moon runes were cut and pasted to the map since Tolkien wanted them to shine through from the reverse when held up, like in the story. #TolkienTrewsday

An image of Thror's Map with blue and red inks. It depicts a map with a route to the Lonely Mountain with the moon runes pasted below. There are lines of runes in red ink on the left margin.

A rough sketch of Thror's Map featuring a cursory drawing of Lonely Mountains region, a hand that pointed to the Lonely Mountains with red runes nearby, and curved line that represented the route.

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Inspired to share recommendations on IG after getting two books by queer South Asian authors for my birthday. I love the way they bring distinctive perspectives on how they depict queerness, which I can relate (one of my birthday books is among these top three 😊) #Booksky 1/3

An opening slide titled 10 Queer Novel Recommendations by South Asian Authors. The slide is by Putri Prihatini. The background image is a collage of five book covers.

Deviants by Santanu Bhattacharya. A family saga about three generations of gay men in an Indian family. Vivaan was the teenager who seek love and connection in online world. Mambro, Vivaan’s uncle, fell in love with a classmate during the enforcement of colonial-era law criminalizing homosexuality. Sukumar, Mambro’s uncle, had a secret relationship with another man because of social taboo. All fought for love and dignity against the specific currents of their times.

Your Driver is Waiting by Priya Guns. Priya Guns expressed biting social commentary about the pressure of gig work, class disparity, and authenticity of activism through the eyes of Damani, a rideshare driver who lived paycheck-to-paycheck. Her tumultuous, fiery, rather toxic relationship with a rich white girl Jolene snowballed into devastating chains of events that made her question everything she had been fighting for.

How to Date a Fanatic, by Aruni Kashyap. Aruni Kashyap wrote a poignant queer campus novel about navigating relationship under Modi era. Trapped in an unrequited love toward his best friend, New Delhi professor Rohit embarked in relationships with multiple men until he met a charismatic literature student Sayan. Political tension, Hindu nationalism, and student activism became tipping points that changed Rohit’s life as he navigated the challenges and triumph of queer love.

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

The authors drew from their own experiences and history of their respective countries for layered queer storytelling. 3/3

This Way Out by Tufayel Ahmed. Tufayel Ahmed drew from his own experiences as a gay man coming out to his strict Bangladeshi Muslim family when writing this novel. When Amar announced his upcoming marriage with his boyfriend on his family’s WhatsApp group, chaos ensued. Suddenly, Amar questioned everything he knew about his culture, his family, and even his own relationship as he seek hope without sacrificing his true love and family bond.

Funny Boy by Shyam Selvadurai. Shyam Selvadurai was inspired by his experience growing up during Sinhala-Tamil tensions in Sri Lanka. The novel followed Arjie, a boy who grew up in a wealthy family in Sri Lanka, as he explored his budding sexuality and gay identity alongside understanding about the conflict between Sinhalese and Tamil people, which culminated in the 1983 anti-Tamil pogrom known as “The Black July.”

The Carpet Weaver by Nemat Sadat. Nemat Sadat took the backdrop of 1977 Afghanistan for the story of Kanishka, the son of a carpet seller, who discovered his queerness when frequenting the Maoist gatherings at the bathhouse with his father. He fell in love with another boy, Maihan, with whom he shared his first kiss. When the civil war and religious fundamentalism separated them, Kanishka began a long journey for safety with the hope for meeting Maihan again.

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

These ones have intriguing premises! 2/3

Blue-skinned Gods by S.J. Sindu. Kalki, a boy from a remote village in Tamil Nadu, was born with bluish skin and believed as a reincarnation of the god Vishnu. Raised by family members who wanted him to believe in his own divinity, Kalki grew up struggling to find himself, torn between his perceived divine image and his true self, especially when queer attraction started to grow. Kalki’s tale of self-discovery explored ethnic, gender, sexuality, and faith.

Appetite by P. Paramita. Zarina, a Bangladeshi prep cook in a fancy New Haven restaurant, had two interests: modern spins of her childhood Bangladeshi dishes and the successful female wrestler Sierra Myst, who was also her crush. When her social media posts drew Sierra’s attention, they met and became closer. Zarina did everything for Sierra until she started to question her own worth, as her desire to make Sierra happy might threaten everything she’s worked for.

What It Meant to Survive by Mala Kumar. Mala Kumar explored lesbian romance, race, religion, immigration and gun violence through two women of color: Indian American Ramya and Nigerian Juliet. As their lives intertwined after a Tinder connection, they started experiencing strange memory lapse and time freeze. To make their relationship work, Ramya and Juliet must come to term with their dark pasts, their respective trauma, and the emotional impacts.

Da by Arathi Menon. Arathi Menon explored estrangement, gay fatherhood, and chosen family in tumultuous time through the eyes of Ved, a 13-year-old boy. He lived in a simple bliss with his kind adoptive father, Da, who was gay at a time when Section 377, a colonial law, made homosexuality a crime. Menon tenderly explored the relationship between Da and Ved, especially when Ved was torn between love and fear as vigilante gangs targeted those who they deem “unnatural.”

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Found a tiny cow in a frozen chicken cuts package (for some reasons). Anyway, her name is Dhenok and she's my bookmark now.

A photo of an open book page with a little 2D bookmark in the shape of a round, spotted cow.

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Brian Weaver @brianitguy.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Tolkien in Oxford was a #BBC documentary first aired in 1968. Still avaialable on the BBC archive and well worth a watch. His hat reminds me of Sam's "he had put on his head a tall shapeless felt bag, which he called a hat" "Dreaming Spires" #TolkienTrewsday @timbolton.bsky.social

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

As a queer Indigenous coming-of-age road movie, Wildhood is a sweet, decent watch. Honestly worth the scene where Pasmay joyfully danced with Link in full regalia. Also, love Michael Greyeyes as a boisterous Native baker who would've gladly smacked you if you misgendered his trans nephew. #Filmsky

A still from the movie Wildhood depicting an Indigenous boy dancing in a full Fancy Dance regalia, with a short-haired, bare-chested boy and his younger brother who danced along joyfully on a beach. The movie title appears as a black text above their heads.

A still from the movie Wildhood depicting an Indigenous boy dancing on the beach in a full Fancy Dance regalia, with a short-haired, bare-chested, blonde, mixed-blood Native boy

A still from the movie Wildhood depicting two Native boys embracing with their foreheads touching each other. One is a Native boy with slightly long black hair and the other is a mixed-blood Native boy with short, blonde hair.

A still from the movie Wildhood depicting a roadside encounter between a Native middle-age man with long, black hair, black shirt, and vest, with a teenage mixed-blood Native boy with short, blonde hair in white shirt.

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

I would love to see him trying to develop this diagram, even just for the sake of the artistic aspect! But he just dropped unfinished concepts like me abandoning drafts 😅

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

The diagram is a part of The Book of Lost Tales (part 1), the early narratives of Middle-earth legendarium (written and left unfinished between 1916 and 1920, published posthumously in 1983).

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

"I Vene Kemen" is Tolkien's vision of the world as a Viking boat, which appeared in the early version of his Middle-earth legendarium. Names include Nūme (West), Oronto (East), Haloisi Velike (The Great Sea), I Tolli Kuluvar (The Magic Isles), and I Nori Landar (The Great Lands). #WyrdWednesday

The black and white diagram of I Vene Kemen, the crude map of a flat earth in the form of a Viking boat with an open sail. The sun and moon appeared on the sail with the names ur and sil. The mountain appeared on the prow, the mass of land as the deck, and the outermost waters as the hull. There are words Nume for West and Oronto for East. The layers of air are symbolized by two rows of cloud-like lines that say, from the top to the bottom: Vaitya, Ilwe, and Vilna.

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

This post is the shorter version of my 2023 presentation for the Tolkien Society seminar, dissecting the thematic connection between rulers and the manifestation of the sea in Númenórean and Javanese culture. Link to my presentation video is inside! putri2wotan.wordpress.com/2025/02/18/a...

putri2wotan.wordpress.com

The Sea Goddess and the King: on Aldarion, Uinen, and Javanese Queen of the Southern Sea

A comparison between the bond of Númenorian king Aldarion and Lady Uinen with Javanese tales of Panembahan Senopati and Kanjeng Ratu Kidul, illustrating how they symbolize the power of the sea in l…

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

This is also for #TolkienTrewsday as an Indonesian Tolkien fan! I first read Tolkien to cope with the chaotic downfall of Soeharto. I love connecting the themes with local folklore I grew up with, including putting Tolkien and Kanjeng Ratu Kidul in a presentation together (proof in the post below!)

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Thank you! I also love how they look once I actually wore them 💕🫂

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

New age, new glasses, with a book that has become my favorite Indigiqueer novel (let's see if any of my new birthday books could topple it). Achievement at 41? Hmm, first in my family to read this much Tolkien and queer lit? First to be openly queer? Otherwise, just your same old resident bookworm.

A photo of me in checkered shirt, grey t-shirt, abstract hijab, and beaded bracelet. I wear glasses and hold a book titled Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead in front of my face.

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

📷: Charles Leslie, Jr. (coconuts), Peter H/Tama66 for Pixabay (wooden stairs), Adina Voicu (evening twilight), Kristianto Ginting (Karo stilt house).

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Ghost stories like these often reflect everyday fear. Glundung Pringis appear during sandikala (evening twilight), the time when spirits roam loose and children need to come home before dark. Begu Ture might root in a scare of climbing the stairs of siwaluh jabu (Karo stilt house) after dark. 2/2

A photograph of a sky during evening twilight, with the sun almost sen and the sky is colored red and dark orange.

A photograph of a siwaluh jabu, Karo stilt house, with four-corner tiered thatched roof and slightly tilted wooden walls. The top of the roof has several pointed structures. Each corner of the structures have pointed carvings. Next to the house is a smaller miniature of it, which might be used as a granary.

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Sometimes, my favorite local ghost stories are more mischievous in their scare. Like the Javanese Glundung Pringis, a grinning head that disguises itself as a falling coconut to shock people, or Begu Ture of Karo folklore, who grabs people's ankles when walking up the stairs. 1/2 #WyrdWednesday

A photo of a cluster of green coconut fruits growing out of a giant coconut tree.

A photo of a wooden staircase that leads to the upper story of an old wooden house.

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

The framed photo of Tolkien and Edith was taken in 1961 by Pamela Chandler.

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Putri Prihatini @putriprihatini.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

After Edith passed away on 29 November 1971, Tolkien sent a letter to Christopher, asking his opinion about adding the inscription of Lúthien on her gravestone. Tolkien said that his decision was made under grief, but it was not a sentimental fancy. He had a really good reason. #TolkienTrewsday

I never called Edith Luthien - but she was the source of the story that in time became the chief part of The Silmarillion. It was first conceived in a small woodland glade filled with hemlocks at Roos in Yorkshire (where I was for a brief time in command of an outpost of the Humber Garrison in 1917, and she was able to live with me for a while). In those days her hair was raven, her skin clear, her eyes brighter than you have seen them, and she could sing - and dance. But the story has gone crooked, & I am left, and I cannot plead before the inexorable Mandos."

Letter 340, 11 July 1972, from J.R.R. Tolkien to Christopher Tolkien

A framed black and white photograph of Tolkien standing outside the fence of his Oxford house. Edith was standing next to him behind the fence door. Both were smiling to the camera.

An excerpt from a letter to Christopher Tolkien: 11 July 1972. I have at last got busy about Mummy's grave... The inscription I should like is: EDITH MARY TOLKIEN 1889-1971, Luthien: brief and jejune, except for Luthien, which says for me more than a multitude of words: for she was (and knew she was) my Luthien. July 13. Say what you feel, without reservation, about this addition. I began this under the stress of great emotion and regret, and in any case I am afflicted from time to time (increasingly) with an overwhelming sense of bereavment. I need advice. Yet I hope none of my children will feel that the use of this name is a sentimental fancy. It is any rate not comparable to the quoting of pet names in obituaries.

A grave of Tolkien at Wolvercote Cemetery. It is surrounded by concrete borders, with a gravestone that says Edith Mary Tolkien, 1889-1971, Luthien, and John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, 1892-1973, Beren. The grave is covered by flower bouquets and lush green plants and several letters from visitors.

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Andrew Ferguson @trotter.tolkienguide.com · 01/09/2026

Letter from Joy Hill to Mr Abetts about #Tolkien's Death @roadshowpbs.bsky.social 2022 episode www.tolkienguide.com/guide/letter... #TolkienTrewsday

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