Majapahit's Epic Poem: The Negarakertagama's Lost Stanzas

In this episode, Lucas and Luna delve into the literary masterpiece that defined Majapahit: the Negarakertagama, a 14th-century epic poem by Mpu Prapanca. They explore how this text, rediscovered in the 19th century, provides a detailed account of Hayam Wuruk's royal progress across Java, the empire's vast tributary network, and the cultural life of the court. The conversation uncovers lost stanzas that hint at a rebellion against Gajah Mada, the symbolic meaning of the poem's structure, and how it was used to legitimize the king's divine rule. They also discuss the controversy over the poem's authorship and its role in modern Indonesian nationalism. Along the way, they touch on the poem's descriptions of rituals, the rice harvest, and the annual grand assembly at Trowulan, offering a vivid picture of Majapahit's golden age. #Negarakertagama #MpuPrapanca #HayamWuruk #GajahMada #Majapahit #JavanesePoetry #Kakawin #PalapaOath #Trowulan #Nusantara #SoutheastAsiaHistory #14thCentury #HinduBuddhist #Candi #Bali #IndonesianHistory #History #FexingoHistory #SoutheastAsia #AncientJava Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo