Leiden University Student Repository

Vladimirova, Dariya (2021)

Femininity in Early Java: Portrayals of Women in the Reliefs of Borobudur

Bachelor thesis | South and Southeast Asian Studies (BA)

A unique view on gender is one of the features that reputedly distinguishes Southeast Asia from the neighboring regions. The main purpose of this project is to put this hypothesis to the test by locating and exploring femininity in early Indonesia, as it is the heartland of the cultural area in question. We should be able to see some of the social norms and convictions of the time reflected in works of art intended for a broad audience. In order to affirm or dispute the claim that women and men were considered equal in pre-modern Indonesia, I will be looking at the reliefs of Borobudur. Interestingly, the stories taken from Buddhist texts are not illustrated word for word, but have been infused with local meanings. Images of women and the narratives behind them could help us understand what social patterns femininity was associated with at the time. A smart and timely reference to the historical data available can be used to interpret and supplement the findings. At the end of my...Show moreA unique view on gender is one of the features that reputedly distinguishes Southeast Asia from the neighboring regions. The main purpose of this project is to put this hypothesis to the test by locating and exploring femininity in early Indonesia, as it is the heartland of the cultural area in question. We should be able to see some of the social norms and convictions of the time reflected in works of art intended for a broad audience. In order to affirm or dispute the claim that women and men were considered equal in pre-modern Indonesia, I will be looking at the reliefs of Borobudur. Interestingly, the stories taken from Buddhist texts are not illustrated word for word, but have been infused with local meanings. Images of women and the narratives behind them could help us understand what social patterns femininity was associated with at the time. A smart and timely reference to the historical data available can be used to interpret and supplement the findings. At the end of my journey, I would be able to answer to what extent have expectations of normative social behavior affected the visual depictions of women. Subsequently, it will be possible to determine what aspects of femininity are exclusive to Indonesia and enrich our understanding of its pre-modernity.Show less

Author

Vladimirova, Dariya

Faculty

Faculty of Humanities

Supervisors

Klokke, Marijke

ECTS Credits

10

Language

en