A Reflection on the Merapi-Merbabu Manuscripts

Abstract

This paper addresses a critical imbalance in Old Javanese philology, which is the historical marginalization of non-Balinese textual sources following the early 20th-century "chacography" discourse. By focusing on the Merapi-Merbabu manuscript collection, this study systematically explores the unique recensions of Old Javanese literary texts. The analysis reveals that these Javanese sources present distinct textual variations that diverge significantly from the established Balinese tradition. This finding necessitates a reconsideration of the question of textual authority within the field. Rather than debating the superior provenance of Javanese versus Balinese texts, this research argues that textual variation must be acknowledged as a fundamental reality that enriches the literary spectrum. We conclude that these variations are demonstrable result of active, regional interpretation by readers and scribes.