Muna Maudy Nabila, Dhoni Zustiyantoro

Menguak Raja-Raja yang Berkuasa di Jawa Versi Serat Pambekaning Para Nata

Introduction

Menguak raja-raja yang berkuasa di jawa versi serat pambekaning para nata. Menguak raja-raja Jawa versi Serat Pambekaning Para Nata. Analisis manuskrip ini membandingkan klaim dengan fakta sejarah, menunjukkan sebagian besar raja di serat adalah fiksi.

Abstract

Manuscripts perpetuate history in a written work, in which, in fact, what is written is not only a historical fact but also a fictional story it. This research aims to describe the condition of the manuscript entitled Serat Pambekaning Para Nata, knowing the kings who once ruled the land of Java based on the manuscript. So that it can be known whether the kings who rule in the manuscript are in accordance with the kings who rule in the land of Java. This study uses qualitative descriptive methods and philological research methods. The data is in the form of the content of the Serat Pambekaning Para Nata, which is sourced from the manuscript itself. Data collection through document studies. The results of the discussion show that the kings written in the Serat Pambekaning Para Nata can be categorized into two, namely the historical version of the king, which has been proven through inscriptions and other manuscripts (historical facts), and the fantasy version of the king which is written in other manuscripts and believed by the community that the king rules the land of Java. But there is no other evidence such as inscriptions or relics of power (historical facts). Of the 31 kings contained in the manuscript, only 1 king has been proven to exist and rule in Java. So, it can be concluded that almost all the kings written on this serat are fictional versions of kings.

Review

This paper, "Menguak Raja-Raja yang Berkuasa di Jawa Versi Serat Pambekaning Para Nata," addresses the critical role of manuscripts in perpetuating historical narratives, acknowledging the inherent blend of fact and fiction within such traditional sources. The research judiciously sets out to examine the *Serat Pambekaning Para Nata* manuscript, aiming to describe its content, identify the kings it purports to have ruled Java, and critically assess the historical veracity of these figures against established historical records. This objective is particularly pertinent to Javanese studies, where indigenous chronicles often serve as primary, yet complex, sources for understanding early polities and cultural beliefs, necessitating a careful distinction between historical fact and narrative embellishment. Employing a robust methodological approach that combines qualitative descriptive analysis with philological research, the study meticulously delves into the content of the *Serat Pambekaning Para Nata*. Data collection was based on direct document studies of the manuscript itself, ensuring an authentic engagement with the primary source. The findings are striking and significant: the kings listed within the *serat* are classified into two distinct categories – those corroborated by historical evidence like inscriptions and other manuscripts (historical facts), and those existing purely within a 'fantasy' realm, believed by the community but lacking tangible historical proof. Crucially, the research reveals that out of the 31 kings enumerated in the manuscript, only a single monarch has verifiable historical existence, leading to the impactful conclusion that the vast majority of rulers depicted in this *serat* are fictional constructs. The paper makes a valuable contribution by rigorously scrutinizing a specific Javanese manuscript, offering clear insights into the complex interplay between traditional narratives and historical fact. Its strength lies in its systematic approach to comparing textual claims with external historical validation, thereby demystifying aspects of Javanese historiography often blurred by folklore and myth. While the current study effectively identifies the fictional nature of most kings, future research could potentially expand on *why* these fictional rulers were included and what societal or cultural functions their narratives served within the broader Javanese cultural memory. Overall, this research is a commendable effort in clarifying the historical landscape presented by the *Serat Pambekaning Para Nata*, providing a solid foundation for further investigations into Javanese historical consciousness and manuscript traditions.

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