World Class University Sundanese Study Program: Sundanese Manuscripts and Studies
As an effort to implement the Decree of the Minister of Education and Culture Number 83/P/2020 dated January 24, 2020, concerning International Accreditation Institutions, the Sundanese Study Program held a public lecture by inviting a speaker from Universitat Hamburg, Dr. Dick van der Meij. In his public lecture, Dr. Meij presented material on the tracing of Sundanese manuscripts and their importance.
According to Dr. Meij, the number of Sundanese manuscripts is estimated to reach tens of thousands. However, the existence of these manuscripts is still scattered in various institutions both government and individuals. In this case, further exploration needs to be done because there are so many cultural elements that can be explored and researched. As for general knowledge related to manuscripts and their contents, it needs to be emphasized that the treasures of literature remain sustainable and beneficial. In connection with this, the position of Sundanese Study Program students benefits from their knowledge of script and language. This can be used as an asset to explore what is contained in manuscripts, especially Sundanese manuscripts. Regarding further manuscript studies, Dreamsea Universität Hamburg is present to help restore and digitize existing manuscripts.
In addition, the problem with manuscript research is that researchers focus too much on what is contained in the text. Meanwhile, many small details of manuscripts such as title writing, ornaments, marginal notes, colophons, and so on are often not given much attention. In fact, this can actually be researched and explored further to open up opportunities for new knowledge.
Small details in manuscripts play an important role in determining whether a manuscript is original or not. The differences in the writing of each manuscript open up opportunities to conduct research on writings that differ from one manuscript to another. The object is simply all manuscripts in Sunda. Another opportunity is the writing of colophons that combine Sundanese and Javanese characters as well as the letters that form them.
Sometimes the manuscripts circulating abroad do not reflect the actual life in the community. It is possible that the manuscripts were made for a specific purpose, not the result of traditional culture. If we look at the existing manuscripts, the original manuscripts should be preserved. Manuscripts that circulate for specific requests and purposes (ordered manuscripts) are not very important because they reduce the essence of the actual existence of the manuscripts. Therefore, inventory and digitization efforts are very important, considering the existence of Sundanese manuscripts can simply disappear if not immediately preserved.
Furthermore, Dr. Dick van der Meij’s presentation in the Sundanese Study Program public lecture was responded to by Dr. Elis Suryani Nani Sumarlina, the Coordinator of BKU Philology of Sundanese Study Program FIB Unpad and Sundanese Study Program students also filled the lecture’s discussion session enthusiastically. The discussion that has been carried out leads to preservation efforts and further research related to existing Sundanese manuscripts. With the implementation of this public lecture, the entire Sundanese Study Program community hopes to provide useful knowledge to improve and excite students in Indonesia to conduct studies and research in the field of literature. Hopefully, the cooperation that has been carried out will be a way for the Sundanese Study Program to achieve international recognition.
Writer: Ade Irma S & Kiki Nurussalam
Translator: Jauza Maryam Mumtazah
