Historical texts as social maps; Lontaraq bilang in early modern Makassar
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 2870211 |
|---|---|
| Authors | William Cummings (0009-0005-5431-9273, 1. [email protected]), William K Cummings (Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2005 |
| Volume | 161 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 40-62 |
| Publication date | 2005-01-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Bijdragen tot de taal- land- en volkenkunde / Journal of the Humanities and Social Sciences of Southeast Asia (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0006-2294 • E-ISSN: 2213-4379 |
| Publisher | Walter de Gruyter GmbH (PUBLISHER • DE) |
| DOI | 10.1163/22134379-90003714 |
| OpenAlex | W14515964 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 6 |
Historical texts as social maps Lontaraq bilang in early modern MakassarOne fascinating development in seventeenth-century Makassar is the evolution of a written form of record-keeping known collectively as lontaraq bilang.Meaning literally 'counting manuscripts', lontaraq bilang have been termed 'diaries' but are better understood as a public record of notable events than as a diary or journal of an individual's private thoughts.For this reason they are best glossed as 'annals', lists of significant events.This article analyses this historical genre and offers an interpretation of its purpose and meaning grounded in the social and cultural context of early modern Makassar.I argue that these texts are most appropriately read as maps that inscribe social networks and claims to authority.Three such social maps are described here as a basis for reassessing this crucial genre of historical writing. Lontaraq bilang describedPerched at the tip of South Sulawesi, the region of Makassar was the most important trading entrepot in the eastern archipelago during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.During the course of these two centuries the small kingdom of Gowa rose to become the dominant polity, so dominant that to outside observers Gowa and Makassar seemed synonymous.During the first half of the seventeenth century Gowa was the Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie's (VOC, Dutch East India Company) chief rival for control of the spice trading routes to Maluku.Gowa and the VOC fought three times, with the last and conclusive conflict coming during the reign of Gowa's last powerful ruler, Sultan Hasanuddin (ruled 1653 to 1669).The VOC finally vanquished Gowa in 1669 with the help of Bugis allies, long-time historical rivals of the Makassarese
Ancient history · Archaeology · Art · Art history · Biography · China · Context (archaeology · Early Modern Europe · Historical record · Interpretation (philosophy · Linguistics · Literature · Meaning (existential · Political science · Politics · Polity · Reign · Ruler · Asian Studies and History · History · Island Studies and Pacific Affairs · Law · Philippine History and Culture · Philosophy
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,08 |
| Citation span | 2014 - 2014 (1) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |