MEMORY OF THE WORLD REGISTER
Pararaton Manuscript
REF N° 2004-23
Part A – Essential information
1. Summary
The National Library of Indonesia has a substantial collection of oriental manuscripts written in
different languages and characters of the Indonesian archipelago, using a variety of media,
writing tools and techniques of the past. This collection, which now can be categorized as a rare
collection, is indeed an important source of the national cultural heritage. These manuscripts
are worth preserving for study, investigation and dissemination. Some parts contain invaluable
materials beneficial for intellectual capacity building, for the present as well as for the future.
The Pararaton manuscript narrates the history of the kings of Java, beginning with the birth of
Ken Angrok who then became the king of Singosari, and also the golden age of Majapahit with
Commander Gajah Mada as the king’s assistant.
2. Details of the Nominator
2.1
Name
Dady P. Rachmananta
Director
National Library of Indonesia
2.2
Relationship to the documentary heritage nominated
The National Library of Indonesia is a non-ministerial government institution, directly
responsible to and assisting the President in collecting and registering all printed and
recorded materials produced by Indonesian publishers, carrying out library service, and
developing and fostering all types of libraries in the country,
2.3
Contact persons
1. Dady P. Rachmananta (Director)
National Library of Indonesia
2. Nindya Noegraha (Curator, Manuscript Section)
National Library of Indonesia
2.4
Contact details
National Library of Indonesia
(Perpustakaan Nasional RI)
Jl. Salemba Raya 28A, Jakarta 10430
Indonesia
phone (021) 3154863, 3154864; fax (021) 3101472
e-mail <pusnas@rad.net.id>
website <www.pnri.go.id>
3. Identity and Description of the Documentary Heritage
3.1.
Name and identification details of the items being nominated
Pararaton manuscript
No. L. 600 box 19
Dimension: Length 50 cm; Width 3 cm
Javanese character and language, form: Prose
One lempir (sheet) carries 3 lines of scripts (both sides)
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Number of lempir: 53 (approx. 40 pages of A4 paper)
The manuscript is clamped with wood chips.
3.2
Description
The manuscript of Pararaton was estimated to be written more than six or seven centuries
ago, but the author has not been identified. The interesting features of the Pararaton has
incited researchers among them, Dr. Brandes, Prof. Dr. Krom, RM Mangkudimedja, but
to name a few, to study it.
The Pararaton tells of the origin of Ken Angrok from his birth until his establishment of
the Singosari dynasty with a royal title of Rangga Rajasa. Prior to becoming a king in
Singosari, Ken Angrok lived a notoriously wicked life as a robber, gambler, drunkard,
etc. Many people believed Ken Angrok was the founder of the Majapahit dynasty. In
addition to the Ken Angrok (the Singosari dynasty) legend, the Pararaton also tells about
R. Wijaya, the first king of the Majapahit dynasty until the fall of Majapahit.
It is, however, interesting to note the inclusion of the Amukti Palapa Oath (oath to enjoy
Palapa) sworn by Commander Gajah mada in the Pararaton. The oath was an impetus for
the establishment of a unitary state which was at that time called Nusantara.
Legend has it that the establishment of the Singosari dynasty was marked by bloody
struggles for power between Tunggul Ametung’s (a regent in Tumapel village) offspring
against Ken Angrok’s as a result of a curse by Empu Gandring who was killed by Ken
Angrok using a magic kris made by Empu Gandring.
The original text of the Amukti Palapa Oath is shown below:
Sira Gajah Mada patih amangkubhumi tan ayun amuktia palapa, sira Gajah Mada:
Lamun huuwus kalah nusantara isun amukti palapa, lamun kalah ring Gurun, ring
Seran, Tanjung Pura, ring Haru, ring Pahang, Dompo, ring Bali, Sunda, Palembang,
Tumasik, samana isun amukti palapa.
(loosely translated: “I am Gajah Mada, the commander, will not enjoy palapa (fruit)
unless I have conquered Gurun, Seran, Tanjung Pura, Haru, Pahang, Dompo, Bali, Sunda,
Palembang, Tumasik”)
Thus, it is obvious that the Amukti Palapa Oath is in reality and historically the embryo
of the unitary state of the Republic of Indonesia, notwithstanding the fact that the
territory of Majapahit was then even much wider than the current territory of Indonesia.
At the present time, the reading of the Amukti Palapa Oath has been done twice by
Indonesian leading figures irrespective of the religious inclination, group or race. The
first was carried out in East Java (by Maja Kerta Trowulan) and the second on the island
of Bali (by Sri Susuhunan Paku Buwana XII).
4. Justification for Inclusion
4.1
Authenticity
The date of origin of this manuscript cannot be precisely identified, nor the writer(s) or
author(s), but several investigations have been carried out and verified by prominent
researchers (Dr. Brandes, Prof. Dr. Krom, R.M. Mangkudimedja and Purbaçaraka)
specializing in the study of rare materials.
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4.2
World significance, uniqueness and irreplaceability
The manuscript is the one and only document found in Indonesia, perhaps even in the
world, which inscribes and recounts the history of the founding of a nation: the advance
of an empire into one big nation (Nusantara). As a matter of fact, this is the first phase of
the revelation of the present State of Indonesia, as revealed by Gajah Mada’s Oath of
Amukti Palapa. Thus it can be declared that the Pararaton is very unique in the sense that
through a pledge sworn by a king’s assistant a nation did eventually shape. The
manuscript says that the legendary Gajah Mada will not eat palapa (fruit) before he
succeeds in bringing together all the kingdoms in Nusantara into one big kingdom (=
nation).
4.3
Criteria of (a) time (b) place (c) people (d) subject and theme (e) form and style
(a) time: In the manuscript there is date written which gives a suggestion around the
probable time of its writing, that is Sabtu Pahing (Saturday) 3 August 1613, or Çaka
1535.
(b) place: The location could be somewhere in East Java or even as far as the island of
Bali where Hinduism is predominant then.
(c) people: It describes the people of the kingdom of Majapahit and their rulers, mainly
the King and his assistants.
(d) subject and theme: It is a history of Indonesia during the reign of Javanese kings.
(e) form and style: The style of the manuscript is prose, written in old Javanese language
and script.
5. Legal Information
5.1
Owner of the documentary heritage
National Library of Indonesia
(Perpustakaan Nasional RI)
Jl. Salemba Raya 28A, Jakarta 10430
Indonesia
phone (021) 3154863, 3154864; fax (021) 3101472
5.2
Custodian of the documentary heritage
Same as above
5.3
Legal status
(a) category of ownership: Government property.
(b) accessibility: Special permit from the Curator, or Director of the National Library
(c) copyright status: Copyright of the National Library.
(d) responsible administration: Under the Curator’s administration.
6. Management Plan
6.1
The National Library makes every effort to provide the best service to users, particularly
researchers, among others, by making available several kinds of manuscript catalogues.
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For documentation and research purposes, the manuscripts are reproduced in microfilms
and in scanned formats; digitization is now being planned for the near future. If a
manuscript is already accessible in microfilms, researchers are advised to use them. The
original document can only be seen or used on request with a special permit. The Library
provides service for the preparation of microfilms, microfiches, and microprint
reproductions.
7. Consultation
7.1
Consultation was made only within the National Library. Although there is a National
Commission for UNESCO in Indonesia, we did not attempt to discuss with them since
they do not have a committee for the Memory of the World. In addition, we have
received approval during the UNESCO Meeting on MoW in Manila to proceed with the
nomination process directly with UNESCO in Paris.
Part B – Subsidiary information
8. Assessment of Risk
8.1
The National Library maintains the manuscript collection in a specially air conditioned
room with proper temperature and humidity controls, continuously operating for 24 hours
a day, seven hours a week. Equipped with silica gel and dehumidifier devices, the room is
constantly monitored by a thermohyrograph instrument. Part of the collection is protected
by silica paper or placed inside acid-free boxes and stored in appropriate cupboards in
accordance with standard procedures. Items requiring special treatment receive suitable
handling techniques using the right materials. The room is itself is protected against fire,
and staff are given the necessary training in the event of disaster.
9. Assessment of Preservation
9.1
According to Presidential Decree no. 11/1989, the National Library in its task undertakes
the preservation and conservation of all types of library materials, incorporating the
cultural heritage of the nation. Moreover, it functions as an information centre for human
knowledge, specifically social sciences and humanities, in its mission to enhance national
development. Complying with this status, the Library will accept and provide
maintenance for and support any manuscript, for conservation and research as well. The
National Library has a suitable facility for conservation functions, in their original forms
or reproductions, like microforms, photocopies, prints, duplicates or digitized formats.
Part C – Lodgement
This nomination is lodged by:
Dady P. Rachmananta
18 June 2004
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