Call for Papers - Towards a New Global History of Javanese Court Culture, Politics and Governance

Organizers: Maarten Manse, Linnaeus University / Leiden University, and Adrian Perkasa, Leiden University

Description:

Javanese courts and their significance as centers of governance, politics and culture have been the object of meticulous study. Few historians have however ventured to explore these courts and their histories beyond their Javanese or Indonesian contexts. This seminar aims to both decolonize, expand and ‘demystify’ our understanding of Javanese court culture beyond its overemphasized sanctified, ritual-ceremonial role in Javanese society. We aim to focus on the worldly and human aspects of Javanese courts, and expose their ties to growing processes of global commercial and political interaction, intercultural diplomacy, colonial power.

We invite papers that enhance our understanding of the growing role of Javanese nobilities in the construction of new global political, cultural and economic links between Java and other parts of the world, looking at the people behind the titles and their various social roles and ideas about political philosophy, religion, law, history and other themes of these people. How did Javanese rulers and their courts put these into practice during their tumultuous transition as sacred centers of independent kingdoms to worldly colonial administrators to semi-abolished noble houses during Indonesian independence? How can we unwind the complex ties between Javanese courts and the world around them, and disclose their role in global history?

Application due by: March 24, 2023

Click here to apply.