Overview
This lecture explores the history of the Majapahit Kingdom in Indonesia, focusing on distinguishing factual history from hoaxes through source criticism and the 5W+1H technique.
Introduction to Majapahit Kingdom
- Majapahit was a significant and influential kingdom in ancient Indonesia.
- Myths, hoaxes, and false claims often arise about Majapahit, both in the present and past.
- Some hoaxes include claims about Gajah Mada's identity and Majapahit being a sultanate.
Historical Source Criticism
- Reliable history depends on valid sources, categorized as primary and secondary.
- Primary sources are written by direct participants or eyewitnesses of events.
- Less powerful primary sources (contemporary) are from those who lived during the time but were not direct witnesses.
- Secondary sources are created long after the events or by people distant from the culture, geography, or language.
Primary and Secondary Sources for Majapahit
- Inscriptions and the Negarakertagama Book are primary sources for Majapahit’s history.
- Negarakertagama was written in 1365 AD by Mpu Prapanca, an eyewitness and palace religious leader.
- Pararaton is a secondary source, written over a century after Majapahit’s golden age; it is supplementary.
- Chronicle of Java is a weak secondary source, written 250 years after Majapahit’s fall, mixing myth with history.
Evaluating Source Reliability
- Chronicle of Java is valid only for periods after 1580 AD; for earlier events, it is unreliable.
- Suma Oriental by Tomé Pires, written during Raden Patah's lifetime, is more reliable for Demak’s origins.
Applying the 5W+1H Technique
- 5W+1H asks: What is the source? Who created it? When, Where, Why, and How was it made or used?
- This method helps classify sources as primary, contemporary, secondary, or to be rejected.
Cultural Context and Intentions
- Inscriptions were protected by “sapatha” (curses), deterring forgery.
- Negarakertagama’s religious purpose made deception unlikely.
- Chronicle of Java’s intent was political, leading to biased or retconned narratives.
Comparison of Historical Texts
- Negarakertagama glorifies Majapahit’s greatness and expansion.
- Chronicle of Java minimizes Majapahit’s territory and power, and emphasizes negative stories.
- Negarakertagama uplifts without belittling predecessor kingdoms, while Chronicle of Java both diminishes Majapahit and connects its lineage to later rulers.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Primary Source — Direct evidence from participants or eyewitnesses of historical events.
- Secondary Source — Work created after the event, often lacking direct witness or cultural context.
- Sapatha — Curses in inscriptions to prevent tampering or forgery.
- Negarakertagama — Major primary source manuscript about Majapahit by Mpu Prapanca.
- Pararaton — A supplementary secondary source about Javanese kings.
- Chronicle of Java (Babad Tanah Jawi) — Later-written, often unreliable narrative mixing legend and history.
- 5W+1H — Investigative method: What, Who, When, Where, Why, How.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Practice applying the 5W+1H technique to any historical claim.
- Watch the related Tawangalun Temple video for further examples.
- Teach others the basics of historical source criticism to identify hoaxes.