Unique Writing Traditions in Sumatra’s Cultural History

 

The writing tradition in the cultural history of Sumatra Island stands out with a unique pattern when compared to other islands in the Indonesian Archipelago. By the 7th century, the inhabitants of Sumatra had already begun documenting their earliest writings in the form of inscriptions. Unlike the early inscriptions in other parts of the Archipelago, typically written in Sanskrit, the earliest inscriptions in Sumatra, issued by the Srivijaya Kingdom, were instead published in Old Malay.

Agus Aris Munandar, in his book Kaladesa: Awal Sejarah Nusantara (2017), explains that this phenomenon is linked to the early establishment of Buddhist thought on the island. Elements of populism and egalitarianism aligned with the Indianization process, contrasting with the Hindu-Vedic influenced societies in Java or Kalimantan, where literacy was an expensive commodity monopolized by the Brahmins. In Sumatra’s Buddhist society, literacy spread more inclusively, leading to a unique tradition of literacy.

The inclusive transmission of literacy in Sumatra led to the development of diverse scripts across the island. Almost every region in Sumatra developed its own script, tracing back to the ancient Sumatran script from the Srivijaya period. These scripts include Ulu, Lampung, Kerinci/Incung, Rejang, Batak, and others. Additionally, the use of natural materials for writing in Sumatra was more varied compared to Java or Bali. A distinctive medium for writing in Sumatra was tin plates.

Tin was abundant in several parts of Sumatra. Gusnelly, in his work Sejarah Pengelolaan Timah dan Tanggungjawab Sosial Perusahaan Tambang Timah di Bangka Belitung (2016), notes that the eastern region of Sumatra lies along The Southeast Asian Tin Belt, stretching 800 kilometers from the Bay of Bengal in the north to the Karimun Islands and Bangka-Belitung in the south. However, despite this abundance, tin was not optimally processed by the local community during the Islamic and Colonial periods from the 17th to the 19th centuries.

Yuliarni’s research, Peranan Wan Akub di Muntok Bangka abad ke-18 (2020), reveals that while the people of Bangka could mine tin, its processing into finished goods was traditionally carried out by the Chinese. Even Palembang, which was then the superior kingdom of Bangka and Belitung, only acted as a collector of tin, used as a form of tribute for the Sultan of Palembang by Bangka residents who wanted to marry—a tradition known as timah tiban.

Evidence suggests that tin processing in Sumatra dates back to its earliest periods. H. Sunliensyar, in Menggali Makna Motif Hias Bejana Perunggu Nusantara: Pendekatan Strukturalisme Levi-Strauss (2017), reports that bronze artifacts, often made using tin, were discovered in Sumatra. These artifacts, which include containers, jewelry, and figurines, have been found along Sumatra’s east coast, from the Kerinci highlands to the lowlands of Jambi, dating back to the early AD period.

Recent discoveries of tin inscription plates in Sumatra further support the understanding that the ancestors of the Sumatran people were familiar with tin processing techniques. Wahyu Rizky Andhifani from the South Sumatra Archaeological Center (now part of the National Research and Innovation Agency) first reported these inscriptions in 2018. To date, these inscriptions have been found in the Musi River area in Palembang, the Batanghari River in Jambi, and the Pisang River in Ogan Komering Ilir.

These tin inscriptions, which date from the 7th century to the early Islamic period in the 16th century, feature scripts such as ancient Sumatran and Jawi (Malay Arabic). The languages used include Old Malay, Sanskrit, and Arabic. According to N. Soesanti et al. in Prasasti Timah di Indonesia: Katalog Prasasti Timah di Sumatera (2019), these inscriptions often contain private and esoteric content, including mantras, poetry fragments, mysterious syllable sequences, and yantra or rajah patterns.

In Muhamad Alnoza’s research, Pertimbangan Penggunaan Timah sebagai Media Penulisan Prasasti di Sumatera (2020), he discusses why tin became a favored writing medium in Sumatra. Tin was readily available and easier to process than other metals. Its low hardness and melting point made it suitable for creating private items like personal mantras or amulet inscriptions. The widespread distribution of these items across distant locations suggests that they were portable and widely used.

The discovery of tin inscription plates adds a fascinating dimension to Sumatra’s rich cultural and historical tapestry, highlighting the island’s unique approach to literacy and material culture. These findings not only enrich our understanding of Sumatra’s past but also underscore the island’s distinctive contributions to the broader history of the Indonesian Archipelago.