Search for Sriwijaya Maritime Archives to Begin Immediately to Strengthen the Nation's Collective Memory

Caring for the collective memory of Sriwijaya is very important in order to protect the nation's identity from potential claims by other countries.

KOMPAS/ADRIAN FAJRIANSYAH

The opening of the Coordination Meeting for the Preparation of Tracing and Rescuing Sriwijaya Maritime History Archives in Palembang, South Sumatra, on Wednesday (22/5/2024). The National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia along with the South Sumatra Provincial Government will start a program to trace and rescue the historical maritime archives of the Sriwijaya Kingdom.

PALEMBANG, KOMPAS — National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia together with the South Sumatra Provincial Government will start a search and rescue program for the Sriwijaya Chiefdom's maritime history archives. This is part of efforts to promote culture through the Collective Memory of the Nation program. Later, the collected archives will also be proposed to be included in the UNESCO World Memory Heritage list.

Head of the National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia (ANRI) Imam Gunarto in the Coordination Meeting for Preparation for Searching and Rescuing the Sriwijaya Maritime Historical Archives in Palembang, Wednesday (22/5/2024), said that the search and rescue program for the Sriwijaya maritime archives aims to strengthen existing evidence. exists, completes the pieces of the historical puzzle that are still in pieces, equalizes the perceptions of all parties, and repackages the form of documentation or narrative.

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It is hoped that this can provide complete historical information to the public. "This is intended to strengthen the collective memory of the community regarding Sriwijaya, not only for Palembang or Sumsel people, but for all of Indonesia. In truth, Sriwijaya is not owned by any particular party or region, but belongs to Indonesia. Its history must be preserved together as part of the identity and pride of the nation," said Imam.

Archival research and rescue is not limited to written evidence in the form of scientific studies or inscriptions, statues or artifacts, and any other forms of existing discoveries. The process is also carried out in the form of interviews with related historical witnesses, until the production of documentary videos.

ADRIAN FAJRIANSYAH

A giant Buddha statue was found on the peak of Bukit Siguntang, but it is now displayed at the Sriwijaya Royal Museum in Palembang, South Sumatra, on Tuesday (29/10/2019).

"We must improve the quality of our archiving by extending its duration as far back as possible and bringing it as close as possible to the present time. High-quality archives will be useful for national strategic issues, especially by taking past experiences to formulate policies or strategies in facing current and future issues," he said.

Vulnerable to loss

Head of the ANRI National Strategic Issues Archive Search Team, Agung Ismawarno, said that as a chiefdom that had existed for quite a long time, namely between the VII and XI centuries, the collective memory of Sriwiaya was very susceptible to being lost or faded from people's memories. As proof, several years ago, there were cultural figures in Jakarta who stated that Sriwijaya's history was fictitious. In fact, the cultural observer in question stated that Sriwijaya was a group of pirates.

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If one does not have sufficient knowledge or understanding, people can only be angry in confronting such phenomena. However, anger will not solve the problem. The best way is to prove it through strong archives. "That is why the importance of the archive exploration and rescue program so that the community can learn more about Sriwijaya or their ancestors," he said.

On the other hand, as a kingdom that left a wide influence or footprint, including in neighboring countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and India, claims over Sriwijaya are vulnerable to be taken by other countries. "But, if we can preserve the archaeological evidence and have strong archives, Palembang, South Sumatra, or Indonesia need not worry about efforts by other countries to claim Sriwijaya," he said.

KOMPAS/ADRIAN FAJRIANSYAH

The explanation that describes the letter from the ruler of the Srivijaya Kingdom to the leader of the Umayyad Caliphate in the Middle East was presented during the Coordination Meeting for the Preparation of Maritime History Archives Search and Rescue in Sriwijaya in Palembang, South Sumatra, on Wednesday (May 22, 2024).

So far, Agung stated, Indonesia has only mastered about 30 percent of the total potential archives regarding Sriwijaya in the form of written evidence or remnants. Of that 30 percent, most of the archives concern the history of the rise and fall of Sriwijaya, social activities of the community, and relations or trade networks.

On the contrary, archives on Sriwijaya's maritime affairs are still very minimal. However, many things can be studied from Sriwijaya's maritime traces, starting from how they mastered the Malacca Strait, how water traffic flowed from the estuary of the Musi River to the hinterland, and how shipbuilding technology was during that period.

However, if we can maintain the evidence of our historical heritage and have a strong archive, Palembang, South Sumatra, and even Indonesia need not worry about the efforts of other countries who want to claim ownership of Sriwijaya.

Existing research on the maritime footprint of Sriwijaya tends to be not very detailed. "This potential will be examined together. We hope to receive support from all relevant parties, especially the local government. At least, in the process of searching and rescuing archives, the local government can optimize existing museums as centers for Sriwijaya studies. This will greatly facilitate the process of archiving the collected files," said Agung.

According to Agung, the program is targeted to be completed within the next two years. Later, the results of the program will be published and proposed to be included in the UNESCO Memory of The World list for the Asia-Pacific region. This status is very important to strengthen Indonesia's, South Sumatra's, or Palembang's position as the center of Sriwijaya.

KOMPAS/ADRIAN FAJRIANSYAH

A statement explaining the target to be achieved by the National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia from the Coordination Meeting for the Preparation of Tracing and Rescue of Sriwijaya Maritime History Archives in Palembang, South Sumatra, on Wednesday (22/5/2024).

"We are taking inspiration from the success of three Indonesian documentary heritages that were included in UNESCO's Memory of The World list last May, namely the Indarung Archive about Semen Padang as the First Southeast Asian Cement Factory, the Tambo Tuanku Imam Bonjol Manuscript from West Sumatra, and the Indonesian Sugar Research Center Archive 1887-1986 in East Java. With its rich history, the study of Sriwijaya has great potential to be included in UNESCO's Memory of The World list next," said Agung.

It takes commitment

According to statements from a number of archaeologists present at the meeting, the archives, remains, and data regarding Sriwijaya are already quite complete and relatively strong. For example, there is evidence of the existence of Sriwijaya in Palembang. From the discovery of inscriptions, statues, and settlement traces, it is clear that Sriwijaya was once centered in Palembang. At least, Palembang is the location of the discovery of the Kedukan Bukit inscription, which contains information about wanua or settlements and is the oldest Sriwijaya inscription to date, dating back to 682 AD.

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In reconstructing the city of Sriwijaya, archaeologists refer to three factors that must be fulfilled, namely the city must have residential locations, recreational areas, and places of worship. Palembang meets all three of these elements. The traces of Sriwijaya's settlements in Palembang are around or along the Musi River coast, proven by various remains that strengthen from the Karang Anyar area to around Gending Suro or the PT Pusri factory.

ADRIAN FAJRIANSYAH

A replica of the Kedukan Bukit inscription was found not far from Siguntang Hill but is now on display at the Sriwijaya Kingdom Museum in Palembang, South Sumatra, on Tuesday (10/29/2019).

The recreational spots of Sriwijayan society in Palembang are located in Sriksetra Park, as evidenced by the Talang Tuwo Inscription or the inscription of the park's establishment. The center of Sriwijayan worship in Palembang is located in Bukit Siguntang and several other locations, as evidenced by various remains of statues.

The chronology of all these findings dates back to around the 6th-13th century. "The problem is that many of the remnants of Sriwijaya are damaged or lost, including in Palembang. Some of these sites have been repurposed as residential areas," said environmental archaeologist from the Center for Maritime and Sustainable Cultural Environmental Research, National Agency for Research and Innovation (BRIN), Sondang M Siregar.

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Historian from Sriwijaya University, Farida R Wargadalem, hopes that the plan for the exploration and preservation of Sriwijaya's maritime archives is not just talk. This should be demonstrated by a strong commitment from all parties, especially local government. One of the most important things that should be done is to maintain and preserve all existing sites and relics of Sriwijaya.

"How can we study Sriwijaya if we do not preserve its sites or relics? Currently, because of the desire to advance tourism, the government sometimes tries to beautify certain Sriwijaya sites or relics without involving relevant parties to conduct prior studies. However, treating historical sites or cultural heritage differently from regular projects," said Farida.

KOMPAS/ADRIAN FAJRIANSYAH

The explanation that presents evidence of Palembang as the capital of the Sriwijaya Kingdom was presented at the Coordination Meeting for the Preparation of Research and Rescue of Maritime History Archive of Sriwijaya in Palembang, South Sumatra, on Wednesday (May 22, 2024).

Study center

In addition, another historian from the University of Sriwijaya, Dedi Irwanto, stated that the government's commitment should be shown by establishing a Sriwijaya Museum or a Sriwijaya Study Center in Palembang. This is very important to ensure the sustainability of the program even when local leaders change.

"The study related to Sriwijaya is an important factor in the search for and preservation of Sriwijaya's maritime archives. Because there is no dedicated research center, we are now far behind other countries that claim ownership of Sriwijaya, such as Thailand, which can publish thousands of international journals about Sriwijaya every year. This should be considered so that the program can be sustainable and not disappear when local leaders change," he said.

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Acting Governor of South Sumatra Agus Fatoni repeatedly stated that before his term ends, he will realize the establishment of the Sriwijaya Museum. The existence of the museum is useful for accommodating all the archives found, making it easier to study Sriwijaya and introduce it widely to the public.

ADRIAN FAJRIANSYAH

The story of a research trip to Siguntang Hill which is now on display at the Sriwijaya Royal Museum, Palembang, South Sumatra, Tuesday (29/10/2019).

"With its great history, especially in the maritime field, Sriwijaya is Indonesia's pride as it has been designated as the world's maritime axis. We must preserve this history, among other things, by building the Sriwijaya Museum which will become a center for research and collection of all relics of Sriwijaya," he said.