Rereading the Muarajambi-Nalanda Relationship and Sumatran Hindu-Buddhist Archaeology
In recent years, new archaeological discoveries have emerged in Sumatra. In 2018, for example, the Baturaja inscription was discovered. Initially, this inscription was difficult to read. And only in 2024 were archaeologists able to resolve the sentences in the inscription. This inscription is important for research on the history of Srivijaya and Sumatran temples because the inscription answers the puzzle of the exact location of Minanga (the beginning of the Srivijaya Kingdom) mentioned in the Kedukan Bukit Inscription (682 AD) which has been searched for by archaeologists. Also in these years, archaeologists have excavated the Bongal site, Central Tapanuli, which is indicated as a former ancient port from the 7th century AD-10th AD which is older than Barus. Many findings, including Abbasid coins, Roman silver and gold plated glass beads, indicate that the Bongal Port site was once a cosmopolitan international port. These new findings add to our understanding of the archaeological treasures of Sumatra and Srivijaya.
After two consecutive years, BWCF raised the issue of Javanese and Balinese archaeology, namely the theme of Durga statues and Ganesha statues, while this year BWCF specifically wants to raise the treasures of temples, statues, inscriptions, ceramics and ancient ports in Sumatra. The central theme of Sumatran temples and inscriptions were chosen because BWCF also wants to welcome the government’s policy of revitalizing the Muaro Jambi National Cultural Heritage Area. Archaeologists have been restoring numerous temples in Muaro Jambi for the past three years. Additionally, a new museum will be constructed in Muarajambi. BWCF 2024 is interested in conducting a comprehensive re-evaluation of the Muarajambi site and the archaeology of Sumatra. BWCF aims to assist the government in enhancing the appeal of Muarajambi as a destination for international Buddhism thoughts and heritage tourism, which will help to thrive the regional economy.
The Muarajambi site will serve as the focal point for the complete BWCF 2024 event. Cultural speeches, symposiums, public lectures, art and literary performances, and film screenings related to Sumatra will comprise the BWCF 2024 program, involving Sriwijaya archaeology experts from Indonesia and internationally. In addition, it will feature notable authors and artists from Sumatra and Southeast Asia. BWCF 2024 will also conduct a meditation program for the public at the Muaro Jambi temple, which will be led by renowned meditators, as it did at the Borobudur temple. Overall, the 2024 BWCF will commemorate Sumatra in a variety of ways, including literature and archaeology.
BWCF 2024 aims to elevate Muarajambi’s status as a significant world heritage site by organizing an international festival and symposium in the site. The government aims to have the Muarajambi area recognized as a world heritage site by UNESCO by 2025. One approach to advancing Muarajambi in the academic community is to organize an international conference to address the topics of Sumatran archeology and Muarajambi. Muarajambi was the earliest and largest center of Buddhist education in Southeast Asia in the past. Muarajambi can be referred to as a supporting university for Nalanda University in Bihar, India. Nalanda and Muarajambi engaged in an exchange of students and professors. During the course of their studies, Buddhist students from Sumatra attended Nalanda. In contrast, Nalanda professors like Satyakirti and Atisha also began to study and instruct in Muarajambi. It is crucial and imperative to strengthen and promote Muarajambi as the epicenter of Srivijaya or Malay culture. This is particularly necessary due to Malaysia’s current circumstances. Malaysian archaeologists have also initiated the promotion of the Lembah Bujang site area in Kedah, Malaysia, which was the former primary site of the Srivijaya Port, rather than Muarajambi or Palembang. The rulers of Srivijaya, according to them, were situated in the ancient Lembah Bujang or Kedah.
The BWCF 2024 event is also intended as a tribute to honor the Sumatran archaeology studies conducted by Mrs. Satyawati Suleiman (1920-1988). She was the first female archaeologist in Indonesia to research Sumatran temple artifacts. She can be referred to as a pioneering Indonesian archaeologist for her research in Sumatra. She also served as a cultural attaché in India. BWCF has honored female archaeologists who have made significant contributions for two years in a row. BWCF honored Dr. Hariani Santiko, whose dissertation focused on Durga, when it addressed the theme of Durga in 2022. Similarly, BWCF honored Prof. Dr. Edi Sedyawati, whose dissertation focused on Ganesha, when it addressed the theme of Ganesha in 2023. A series of BWCF festivals is being held in honor of Satyawati Sulaiman, who has made significant contributions to the comprehension of the Nusantara’s past during the Hindu-Buddhist era. These festivals are dedicated to remembering the services of Indonesian women archaeologists.
Cultural Speech
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Dr. Marijke Klokke
‘Sculptures of Ancient Sumatra: an Overview in Honour of Satyawati Suleiman’
Symposium 1: “Muarajambi, Lembah Bujang and Nalanda”
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Dr. Agus Widiatmoko (Head of Cultural Preservation Center Region V, Jambi & Bangka Belitung Islands Province)
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Dr. Nasha bin Rodziadi Khaw (Senior Lecturer of Archaeology, University Sains Malaysia)
- Prof. Abhay Kumar Singh (Vice Chancellor & Dean Historical Studies; Dean International Relations of Nalanda University) tbc
Moderator : Asyhadi Mufsi Saddzali (Department of History, Art and Archaeology, University of Jambi)
Symposium 2: “Avalokitesvara in Sumatra and Southeast Asia”
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Naoko Ito, Ph.D (Lecturer and Associate Professor at Hiroshima University)
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Dr. Nasha bin Rodziadi Khaw (Senior Lecturer of Archaeology, University Sains Malaysia)
- Dr. Retno Purwanti, M.Hum. (Senior Researcher at the Center for Prehistoric Archaeology and History Research, Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency)
- Dr. Gauri Parimoo Krishnan (Director for the Indian Heritage Centre project, Singapore National Heritage Board)
- Sofia Sunström, Ph.D
Public Lecture
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“Archaeological Pilgrimage, Muarajambi Temples” Dr. Agus Widiatmoko (Head of Cultural Preservation Center, Jambi, Bangka Belitung Islands)
- “3 Yi Jing Notebooks” Dr. So Tju Shinta Lee (Archaeolog)
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“Literature Media in the Digital Age” Nirwan Dewanto (Senior Author, Culturist)
