Uncovering the Formula of Classical Javanese Literary Works: Structural Analysis of Power, Religion, and Subaltern Resistance
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37680/adabiya.v20i2.7194Keywords:
Caste System , Classical Javanese Literature, Kadewaguruan, Oral Literature, Power Perpetuation, Subaltern ResistanceAbstract
Classical Javanese literature is traditionally defined by its profound synonymy with religious authority and the royal court (power), a duality long observed but structurally underexplained. This research utilizes a qualitative descriptive method, synthesizing existing studies of canonical texts—including Negarakertagama, Pararaton, Arjuna Wiwaha, and Sutasoma—to reveal the tripartite sociological formula determining literary inception. The analysis establishes that classical literature was overwhelmingly produced by eloquent individuals monopolizing broad knowledge, typically religious leaders, kings, and royal scribes. This structural control resulted from three interlocking factors: 1) Caste, wherein literacy and intellectual production were restricted primarily to Brahmins and Kshatriyas; 2) Knowledge, disseminated through the elite Kadewaguruan education system, which prioritized religious ethics before statecraft, functioning as an ideological apparatus to generate loyal state officials and authorized literary works; and 3) Culture, which utilized mythical elements (Smita) to glorify kings as divine incarnations, thereby legitimizing political narratives. The overarching function of this literature was to perpetuate power and spread sanctioned religious doctrine. While groups outside the palace provided resistance, notably through accessible oral literature and written counter-narratives like Serat Gatoloco, this opposition often failed to fundamentally displace the dominant hegemony. Drawing on Gayatri Spivak’s postcolonial perspective, the findings demonstrate that while resistance existed, the systemic control over authorship, knowledge, and dissemination ensured the literary output remained fundamentally focused on centralized religious and political control. This research clarifies that the enduring characteristics of Javanese classical texts are directly rooted in the political and educational policies of the past.
References
Achmad, S. W. (2018). Etika Jawa : Pedoman Luhur dan Prinsip Hidup Orang Jawa. Araska Publisher.
Adhitama, S. (2023). Analisis Keharmonisan Antara Agama Hindu Dan Buddha Pada Candi Jawi. Jayapangus Press: Jurnal Penelitian Agama Hindu, 7(1), 330–346. https://doi.org/10.37329/jpah.v7i3.2461
Agustin, S. M. (2014). Foucault dan Komunikasi (Telaah Konstruksi Wacana dan Kuasa Foucault dalam Lingkup Ilmu Komunikasi). Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi, 7(3), 199–211.
Alit, D. M., Pramartha, I. N. B., Darmada, I. M., & Udiyani, I. A. P. S. (2022). Negarakertagama: Kisah Keagungan Kerajaan Majapahit. Jurnal Nirwasita, 3(1), 31–42. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6496536
Allan, K. (2006). Contemporary Sosial and Sociological Theory. Pine Forge Press.
Ash Shidiqiyah, F. R. (2022). Aliran Sastra Arab Klasik sebagai Respon atas Modernisasi Arab: Kajian Historis. Al-Fathin: Jurnal Bahasa Dan Sastra Arab, 5(1), 111–122. https://doi.org/10.32332/al-fathin.v5i01.4540
Barthens, K. (1997). Seri Filsafat Atmajaya: Filsafat Barat Abad XX Jilid II: Prancis. Gramedia Pustaka Utama.
Chakim, S. (2007). Strategi Dakwah dan Kemajemukan Masyarakat. Komunika: Jurnal Dakwah Dan Komunikasi, 1(1), 137–147.
Chandra, A. M. (2024). Unsur-Unsur Lokalitas dalam Penafsiran Al-Qur’an (Analisis Buku Ayat Suci dalam Renungan Karya Moh. E. Hasim. Khulasah Islamic Studies Journal, 6(1), 100–109. https://doi.org/10.55656/ksij.v6i1.204
Chickerur, S. (2021). Brahman Women as Cultured Homemakers–unpacking Caste, Gender Roles and Cultural Capital Across Three Generations. Journal of Gender Studies, 30(4), 417–428. https://doi.org/10.1080/09589236.2020.1848535
Darmalaksana, W. (2020). Metode Penelitian Kualitatif Studi Pustaka dan Studi Lapangan. Pre-Print Digital Library UIN Sunan Gunung Djati Bandung, 1–6.
Fitriyah, F. K., Hidayah, N., Muslihati, M., & Hambali, I. M. (2022). Analysis of Character Values in the Indonesian Nation’s Motto “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” through An Emancipatory Hermeneutical Study. Pegem Journal of Education and Instruction, 12(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.47750/pegegog.12.01.01
Furqon, S., & Busro, B. (2017). Serat Gatholoco: Tubuh Menggugat Agama. Religious: Jurnal Studi Agama-Agama Dan Lintas Budaya, 2(1), 15–28.
Hakim, El. O., Octavia, E., & Yuwono, P. (2023). Peran Sastra dalam Membentuk Identitas Kultural dan Sosial Budaya. Jurnal Serina Sosial Humaniora, 1(3), 140–144. https://doi.org/10.24912/jssh.v1i3.28633
Hanani, T. (2016). Makna Pengembaraan dalam Serat Baru Kalinting: Kajian Struktur Teks. Jumantara: Jurnal Manuskrip Nusantara2, 7(2), 391–412.
Haryanto, S. (2017). Pendekatan Historis dalam Studi Islam. Manarul Qur’an: Jurnal Ilmiah Studi Islam, 17(1), 127–135. https://doi.org/10.32699/mq.v17i1.927
Hemalia, W., & Hakim, L. (2022). Analisis Penokohan Dalam Cerita Rakyat Ande Ande Lumut. Kalangwan Jurnal Pendidikan Agama, Bahasa Dan Sastra, 12(1), 84–94.
Hilman, Y. A., & Aziz, M. S. A. (2019). Partisipasi Masyarakat terhadap Pengembangan Desa Wisata “Watu Rumpuk” Desa Mendak Kecamatan Dagangan Kabupaten Madiun. Jurnal Kepariwisataan: Destinasi, Hospitalitas Dan Perjalanan, 3(2), 54–66. https://doi.org/10.34013/jk.v3i2.7
Kasanova, R., Andayani, A., & Wardani, N. E. (2023). Madurese Mantras as Local Wisdom, Spiritual Values, and Outlook on Life: An Ethnolinguistic Study. International Journal of Society, Culture & Language, 12(1), 71–82. https://doi.org/10.22034/ijscl.2023.2011293.3163
Kim, H., Sefcik, J. F., & Bradway, C. (2017). Characteristics of Qualitative Descriptive Studies: A Systematic Review. Research in Nursing & Health, 40(1), 23–42.
Kosasih, E. (2008). Khazanah Sastra Melayu Klasik. Nobel.
Kriswanto, A. (2019). Naskah-naskah Keislaman dari Skriptorium Merapi-Merbabu di Perpustakaan Nasional. Jumantara: Jurnal Manuskrip Nusantara, 10(1), 24–45. https://doi.org/10.37014/jumantara.v10i1.23
Kurniawan, A. (2017). Mencapai Keselamatan: Tinjauan Awal Pengaruh Islam dalam Skriptoria Merapi-Merbabu Abad 16-18. Jurnal Sejarah, 1(1), 2019. https://doi.org/10.26639/js.v1i1.50
Larmour, D. H. J. (1997). Rethinking Sexuality: Foucault and Classical Antiquity. Princeton University Press.
Lubin, T. (2023). Religious Endowments in Ancient India and the Institutionalization of Brahmin Caste Status. American Journal of Legal History, 63(2), 97–114. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajlh/njad023
Maelasari, N. (2018). Sastra Kitab Tajus Salatin karya Bukhori Al-Jauhari dan Sastra Kitab Bustanus Salatin Karya Nuruddin Ar-Raniri Suatu Kajian Sastra Bandingan. Metamorfosis, 11(2), 12–18.
Mahamid, M. N. L. (2023). Sejarah Maritim di Nusantara (Abad VII-XVI): Interkoneksi Kerajaan Sriwijaya, Majapahit, dan Demak. Historia Madania: Jurnal Ilmu Sejarah, 7(1), 32–49. https://doi.org/10.15575/hm.v7i1.23014
Mahdi, A. (2013). Sejarah dan Peran Pesantren dalam Pendidikan di Indonesia. Islamic Review: Jurnal Riset Dan Kajian Keislaman, 2(1), 1–20.
Mangkudimedja, R. M., & H.P., H. (1980). Serat Pararaton Ken Arok 3. Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan.
Mardiani, N., Umasih, U., & Winarsih, M. (2019). Materi Sejarah Masa Hindu-Buddha dan Penggunaan Sumber Belajar Sejarah dalam Pembelajarannya di SMK. Jurnal Tamaddun : Jurnal Sejarah Dan Kebudayaan Islam, 7(2), 328–347. https://doi.org/10.24235/tamaddun.v7i2.5501
Marsono, M., & Rahayu, N. W. S. (2023). Movement of Hindu Religious Education in The Era of The Kingdom of Majapahit. International Journal of Scientific Research in Religion, Philosophy and Social Science IJSRPSS, 1(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.61511/ijroms.v1i1.2023.266
Mulder, N. (2013). Mistisme Jawa. LKis Pelangi Aksara.
Muljana, S. (1979). Negara Kertagama dan Tafsir Sejarahnya. Bhratara Karya Aksara.
Nugroho, C. (2023). Asal-Usul Mitos Tokoh Semar; Eksistensi dan Esensinya Bagi Masyarakat Jawa. Lakon Jurnal Pengkajian & Penciptaan Wayang, 20(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.33153/lakon.v20i1.5448
Nugroho, S. (2024). Transformation of Kakawin Arjunawiwāha into the Scenario Text of Wayang Kulit Purwa Performance Lakon Harjuna Wiwaha. Jurnal Penelitian Agama Hindu, 11(4), 101–117. https://doi.org/10.61275/ISVSej-2024-11-04-07
Nurhajarini, D. R., Suyami, S., & Guritno, S. (1999). Kajian Mitos dan Nilai Budaya dalam Tantu Panggelaran. CV Putra Sejati Raya.
Pamungkas, O. Y., Hastangka, H., Raharjo, S. B., Sudigdo, A., & Agung, I. (2023). The Spirit of Islam in Javanese Mantra: Syncretism and Education. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 79(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.4102/HTS.V79I1.8407
Pamungkas, O. Y., Ma’rifataini, L., Warnis, W., Zuhrah, F., Purwoko, D., & Al Masjid, A. (2024). Exploring the Cultural Significance of Javanese Literature: A Study of Mantras. International Journal of Society, Culture and Language, 12(2), 138–149. https://doi.org/10.22034/ijscl.2024.2025848.3440
Pane, S. (1978). Arjuna Wiwaha. Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan.
Pradita, L. E., & Jendriadi, J. (2023). Analisis Wacana Kritis Buku Kakawin Negarakertagama Karya Mpu Prapanca. Journal of Education Research, 4(1), 2011–2024. https://doi.org/10.37985/jer.v4i4.546
Purnamasari, I., & Soegeng Ysh, A. Y. (2024). Sabdopalon Nayagenggong’s Thesis: Historical, Philosophical, and Religious Education Studies. Interdisciplinary Journal of Social Science and Education (IJSSE), 2(1), 71–90. https://doi.org/10.53639/ijsse.v2i1.21
Rani, M. Z. A. (2005). Antara Islam dan Hinduisme di Alam Melayu: Beberapa Catatan Pengkaji Barat. Sari, 23, 67–82.
Ricci, R. (2023). Situated Prophethood: Reading the Sĕrat Ambiya in Nineteenth-Century Java. In Storied Island (pp. 149–175). Brill.
Ricklefs, M. C. (2007). Polarising Java Society:Islamic And The Other Visions 1830-1930. NUS Press.
Ricklefs, M. C. (2012). Islamisation and Its Opponents in Java: A Political, Social, Cultural and Religious History, C. 1930 to the Present. NUS Press.
Salam, A. (2021). Sastra Rempah. Kanisius.
Santiko, H. (2012). Agama dan Pendidikan Agama pada Masa Majapahit. AMERTA, Jurnal Penelitian Dan Pengembangan Arkeologi, 30(2), 123–133.
Sariani, N. (2023). Pengantar Pendidikan. Global Eksekutif Teknologi.
Sen, A. (2024). The Surviving Power of Brahmin Privilege. Current Sociology, 72(5), 834–852. https://doi.org/10.1177/00113921221105915
Setiyawan, Y. A. (2021). Latar Belakang Penetapan Sīma Bagi Pertapaan Pada Masa Pemerintahan Airlangga (1019-1043 M). Kindai Etam: Jurnal Penelitian Arkeologi, 7(1), 1–16.
Shah, S. P. (2024). Caste Capitalism and Queer Theory: Beyond Identity Politics in India Available to Purchase. South Atlantic Quarterly, 123(1), 105–128.
Soraya, A. I., & Anjanette, A. R. (2022). Nilai-Nilai Sosial Dalam Cerita Rakyat Pangeran Barasa. Jurnal Ilmu Budaya, 10(1), 48–56.
Spivak, G. C. (1993). Can the Subaltern Speak? In Colonial dDscourse and Post-colonial Theory: A Reader. Colombia Press.
Sueca, I. N. (2021). Pusat Pendidikan Hindu Era Majapahit. Seminar Nasional Pascasarjana, 77–84.
Sugriwa, I. G. B. (1984). Sutasoma. Pemda TK I Bali.
Suhariyanto, F. A. (2022). Unknown Secrets of Indonesia’s Independence Revealed by 600-Years-Old Book of Sutasoma. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAiuKI4L13A
Sukatman, S., & Taufiq, A. (2017). Myth and Reality of King Ajisaka from Medang Kamulan in the Oral and Megalithic Traditions of East Java, Indonesia. The International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Invention, 4(10), 4052–4060. https://doi.org/10.18535/ijsshi/v4i10.07
Sumarno, S., Anjani, A., & Agusta, R. (2020). Kultus Hanuman: Pembawa Hujan dalam Naskah Merapi-Merbabu. Patra Widya: Seri Penerbitan Penelitian Sejarah Dan Budaya, 21(3), 353–368. https://doi.org/10.52829/pw.315
Sunarto. (2012). Panakawan Wayang Kulit Purwa: Asal-usul dan Konsep Perwujudannya. Panggung, 22(3), 242–255. https://doi.org/10.26742/panggung.v22i3.74
Supomo, S. (2021). Men-Jawa-kan Mehabharata (the Javanization of Mahabharata). In Sadur: Sejarah Terjemahan di Indonesia dan Malaysia (History of translation in Indonesia and Malaysia) (pp. 1309–1328). KPG-Kepustakaan Populer Gramedia.
Surur, M. (2024). Benturan Islam di Pedalaman Jawa dalam Memori Babad Alit dan Babade Nagara Patjitan. Agastya: Jurnal Sejarah Dan Pembelajarannya, 14(1), 66–84.
Sutika, I. N. D. (2020). Ragam Bahasa Penutur pada Satua Bali Bermuatan Istana Sentris. Prosiding Seminar Nasional Bahasa Ibu (SNBI) XV, 318–325.
Suyasa, M. (2022). Artikulasi Sastra Melayu dalam Tradisi Lisan Sasak di Lombok. Jurnal Ilmiah Telaah, 7(1), 150–157.
Suyono, S. J. (2002). Tubuh yang Rasis: Telaah Kritis Michel Foucault atas Dasar-dasar Pembentukan Diri Kelas Menengah Eropa. Pustaka Pelajar.
Syahrazad, H., Margana, S., & Marianto, M. D. (2023). Variasi Perempuan dalam Ilustrasi Serat Ambiya. Sangita Rupa, 3(2), 68–73.
Tanudjaja, B. B. (2022). Punakawan sebagai Subculture dalam Cerita Wayang Mahabaratha. Jurnal Desain Komunikasi Visual Nirmana, 22(1), 52–67. https://doi.org/10.9744/nirmana.22.1.52-68
Ulum, M. S. (2019). Serat Gatholoco dalam Kajian Poskolonial. Asketik: Jurnal Agama Dan Perubahan Sosial, 3(2), 143–150.
Wahyudi, D. Y. (2015). Kerajaan Majapahit: Dinamika dalam Sejarah Nusantara. Jurnal Sejarah Dan Budaya, 7(1), 88–95.
Wellek, R., & Warren, A. (1993). Pengantar Teori Sastra. Gramedia Pustaka Utama.
Woodward, M. R. (1989). Islam in Java: Normative Piety and Mysticism in the Sultanate of Yogyakarta. University of Arizona Press.
Yudiono, K. S. (2010). Pengantar Sejarah Sastra. Grasindo.
Zapart, J. (2023). Unworthy Recipients and the Mercy of God: Dāna as bhakti in the Sant Hagiographies of Anantadās. Cracow Indological Studies, 25(2), 205–231. https://doi.org/10.12797/CIS.25.2023.02.07
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Misbah Priagung Nursalim
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
The author(s) retain/s the copyright and grant/s Al-Adabiya: Jurnal Kebudayaan dan Keagamaan the first publication rights licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA 4.0) which allows others to access (search, read, download and quote), share (copy and redistribute the material in any media or format) and adapt (mix, modify and develop) works for legitimate purposes, even commercially, with recognition of the authorship of the work and its initial publication in this journal.
