The 10th Southeast Asian Studies for Sustainable Humanosphere (SEA-SH) Research Seminar: “Exploring Astronomy in the Ancient Sundanese Culture” by Suhardja Wiramihardja

Date： May 27th, 2013
Venue：Seminar Rm 409, Common Building

Title: Exploring Astronomy in the Old Sundanese Culture

Presenter: Suhardja D. Wiramihardja

Abstract:
This presentation will introduce results of a study that explores the astronomy-related culture of the indigenous Sundanese people (the ethnic group of 43 million people who live in west part of Java island). Firstly, I present an overview of research methods of the study through a literature review as well as interviews conducted with local story tellers, and visits of historical sites. In ancient times before the invention of time keeping (such as the watch), Sundanese people used natural indicators to understand traditional time to determine or name times of the day. This was based on natural phenomena: through what the Sundanese felt, saw, or heard and in tandem with the effects of the Sun’s positions. A Sundanese Calendar System, called Kala Sunda, consisting of Saka Sunda (solar-based calendar), Caka Sunda (lunar-based calendar), and Kala Sukra (star-based calendar) was known in ancient times. Surprisingly, this calendar system is still in use by the Baduy people, an ancient Sundanese community who live in an isolated region in the western part of West Java Province, potentially one of the best places to conduct fieldwork on ethnoastronomy.

This presentation also discusses Pranatamangsa (time-keeping system) which was recognized by ancient Sundanese ethnic groups and applied mainly by farmers to the agricultural cycle. Agricultural people such as the Sundanese were concerned with calendrical observations which were crucial in gauging the time of planting and harvesting to insure the success of crops. The appearance and disappearance of certain stars were correlated with the seasons of the year, and reminded observers when to plough, sow, hunt, fish and celebrate other annual events. Some well-known constellations were included in Pranatamangsa, e.g., Orion which was called Wuluku (the Plough) by local people and the Southern Cross, which Sundanese named Bentang Langlayangan (the Kite). Orion indicates the time to begin cultivating rice, and the Southern Cross indicates the Southern direction which is very important for local fishermen and an indication of dry season for farmers.

In the latter part of this presentation two folklore tales about the eclipses of the Sun and Moon familiar to an older Sundanese generation will be given.

BIO
Suhardja D. Wiramihardja is professor of astronomy, Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) and obtained his doctorate in astronomy from Kyoto University with specialty in Physics of the Galaxy. His publications are mostly on star-forming regions and galactic clusters. Recently, he has included ethnoastronomy within his research scope. He is currently a visiting research fellow in CSEAS, Kyoto University.