What the study found
The study found that Aceh’s Tamiang people preserve a version of the Majapahit story and Patih Gajah Mada that differs from the commonly accepted account, especially the version associated with Java.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that the socio-cultural and political context in which a story is told can shape how it is remembered and passed on. They also suggest that further research on connections between ancient kingdoms could help clarify the relationship between Indonesia’s historical and ethnographic landscapes.
What the researchers tested
The researchers investigated how the Majapahit story is reproduced in the collective memory of Aceh’s Tamiang people, using their oral tradition as the main source. They examined historical artifacts and details such as place names and object names that appear to have helped transmit the narrative.
What worked and what didn't
The study reports that the local collective memory contains different accounts of Gajah Mada’s existence and death than the dominant narrative. It also states that place names and objects contributed to the creation of contextualized local narratives. The abstract does not report any failed method or negative result.
What to keep in mind
The summary available here does not describe the full research design, sample size, or analytic steps. The abstract does not state detailed limitations beyond indicating that the findings come from a specific locality and its oral tradition.
Key points
- Aceh’s Tamiang oral tradition preserves a Majapahit story that differs from the commonly accepted version from Java.
- The local memory includes different accounts of Patih Gajah Mada’s existence and death.
- The authors say socio-cultural and political context can influence how a story is remembered and transmitted.
- Historical artifacts, including place names and object names, helped reproduce the local narrative.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Aceh’s Tamiang memory of Gajah Mada differs from the Java version
- Authors:
- Ninawati Syahrul, Sastri Sunarti, Devi Fauziyah Ma’rifat, Suyami, Fakhriati, Refisrul, Atisah, Agus Iswanto, Bibi Suprianto, Titih Nursugiharti
- Institutions:
- National Research, Development and Innovation Office, National Research and Innovation Agency, Universitas Gadjah Mada
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-23
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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