Types of Historiography in Indonesia
Types of Historiography in Indonesia
Types of Historiography in Indonesia - Judging from the writing style, Historiography in Indonesia has changed from time to time. With this change, historiography in Indonesia is divided into four types; Traditional, Colonial, National and Modern Historiography.
A. Traditional Historiography
Traditional Historiography is a type of ancient historical literary work written by working writers (poets). It is called traditional because it was written in the era of the Hindu-Buddhist and Islamic kingdoms. The contents in it are religious centric, which means that many contain stories about the important role of a person or family at that time, such as kings, sultans, noble families or rulers. The main characteristics of Traditional Historiography are:
1. Region centric (regional), the stories written are generally influenced by the culture in the area. Like supernatural stories or Urban Legend in the local environment.
2. Religion centric, which tells a lot about certain characters in the story. Like telling the story of the life of a king or sultan.
3. Only tell stories or certain events that are considered important.
4. Magical Religion, meaning that the stories written are related to beliefs and things that smell supernatural.
The examples of Traditional Historiography are:
- Book of Pararaton
- Negarakertagama book
- Babad Tanah Jawi
- Book of Ramayana
- The story of Mahabhrata and Ramayan
- The story of Jaka Tingkir and Sutawijaya
- The Tale of the Kings of Pasai.
B. Colonial Historiography
Colonial Historiography is a type of historical writing written by colonial people themselves. Colonial Historiography writing is generally made during the Dutch colonial period in Indonesia. The content in it is Dutch centric, which means that it contains many stories about the role of the Colonial people in Indonesia. Meanwhile, the role of the Indonesian people is told only slightly.
In writing history, colonial people always prioritize the interests of their nation. This resulted in the emergence of different views related to historical reality. As an example; is in a book entitled Der Geschiendenis van Nederlandsch Oost-Indie (A short history textbook for the Dutch East Indies), by A.J. Eijkman and F.W. staple.
In the book it is not written about the death of General Kohler in the battle in Aceh. Surprisingly, in the book the Acehnese are seen as rebels. Writing history like this has denied historical facts. The characteristics of Colonial Historiography are:
1. Many contain stories about colonial people in Indonesia.
2. More showing the important role of the colonial nation in the colonies
3. Has a Dutch-centric nature, namely writing that refers to the interests of the colonial nation.
4. Not according to historical evidence and facts
5. Sometimes it contains discriminatory elements.
The examples of Colonial Historiography are:
- Der Geschiendenis van Nederlandsch Oost-Indie (Short history textbook for the Dutch East Indies). The work of A.J. Eijkman and F.W. staple.
- Geschiendenis van Java (History of the Land of Java). By W. Furin Mees.
- Indische Geschiendenis (History of the Indies). By J. Haan & H. Uljee.
Geschiendenis van Indonesia (History of Indonesia). H.J. de Graaf.
- Biography of R. A. Kartini by van Zeggelen.
- Biography of Cut Nyak Dien by Madelon Szekely Lulofs
C. National Historiography
National Hisotoriography is a historical writing written in the period after Indonesia's independence. This historiography was written by an Indonesian himself. No wonder it contains a lot of historical events that occurred before Indonesia's independence.
They wrote it from the point of view of the interests of the Indonesian people themselves, or called Indonesia Centris. The aim is to disassemble and correct Colonial Historiography whose type of writing is distorted and does not match the existing historical facts. The main characteristics of the National Historiography are:
1. Indonesian-centrism, that is, prioritizing Indonesia's national interests.
2. Written according to historical evidence in Indonesia.
3. Made after Indonesia's independence.
4. Written by Indonesian historians and researchers.
5. The contents can revive the spirit of Patriotism and Nationalism.
The examples from the National Historiography are:
- Indonesian National History: Volumes I to VI (Editor) Sartono Kartodirdjo.
- Around the Indonesian War of Independence, Volumes I to XI by A.H. Nasution.
- History of Resistance to Colonialism and Imperialism. Editor Sartono Kartodirdjo.
D. Modern Historiography
Modern Historiography is a form of historical writing written through historical research methods. Modern Historiography can be called as the writing of history that is more contemporary than earlier Historiography. The difference is, previous history writing did not use historical research methods.
Modern history writing no longer brings elements such as myths and the like. This writing emphasizes the existing evidence and reality, according to the provisions in historical research. The characteristics of Modern Historiography are:
1. His writing is more contemporary than previous historiography.
2. Written in accordance with the rules of historical research methods.
3. Written by contemporary historians and researchers.
4. Many contain the latest historical evidence and facts. There are no myths.
5. The contents are in accordance with what the researchers found in the field.
The examples of Modern Historiography are:
- Introduction to the History of the New Indonesia: 1500-1900. Satono Kartodirdjo's work.
- Modern Indonesian History Book: 1200-2008. By Merle Calvin Ricklefs.
- The book Somewhere in the Jungle: Emergency Government of the Republic of Indonesia. Mestika Zed's work.
That's an explanation of the types of historiography in Indonesia.