This talk will present a localised art historical narrative on how the local Muslim community perceived and appropriated ancient temples in Java in the early 19th century. The discussion will focus on the Sêrat Cênthini, a twelve-volume compilation of Javanese teachings, edited in 1814/1815. It illustrates how the Muslim community in Java selectively incorporates knowledge from the past even though this knowledge arguably originated from distinct devotional practices.
Mr Ardiyansyah is a PhD researcher at London University’s School of Oriental and African Studies