The region of Southeast Asia is known as an epicenter for a diversity of maritime communities. The complex scatter of islands that comprise the whole region has patterned the lives of generations...Show moreThe region of Southeast Asia is known as an epicenter for a diversity of maritime communities. The complex scatter of islands that comprise the whole region has patterned the lives of generations of maritime communities. As a result, the cultural characteristics and social diversity of the local communities of people in this region is as notable as the sea that surrounds them. This geographic and cultural characteristic has given the boat a central role in the cultural history of many ethnic groups in the Southeast Asian islands. In general, for people in this region, the boat has always been more than just a seagoing vessel. Its presence in various representations has created a symbolic complex to which expressions of the group identity and communal unity can be related. This thesis presents the research of boat symbolism by focusing on the Southeast Moluccas as the case study. Two main issues will be discussed here. The first is related to the material representations of this symbolism and the second concerns the meaning and cultural-historical background of the practice of representing boat symbolism. Furthermore, this thesis analyzed how these practices have been adopted in an early stage and how these practices can be attached to special meanings and identities due to their associations with places, events, and lineage groups. As the representations of boat symbolism has served as the cultural-mark for people in this region, it will be discussed how this practice has been actively involved in the construction of cultural identity for the people in this region.Show less
This thesis deals with two important processes that took place in Protohistoric Southeast Asia. The first process under discussion is distribution and the second process is localization. By means...Show moreThis thesis deals with two important processes that took place in Protohistoric Southeast Asia. The first process under discussion is distribution and the second process is localization. By means of several theories and a model I demonstrate that the distribution of particular objects, kettledrums, can result in a socio-political interpretation of a local area. It is also argued that the objects under discussion may demonstrate a local development in Java and Bali. Kettledrums are thoroughly introduced, as their general form and dimensions are examined as are the fabrication techniques and used metal composition. The decorations, such as the motifs and other ornamentations, are mentioned as well as the dating of the drums. Distribution is illustrated by an interpretation of a map that has been created by means of a newly composed data collection of kettledrums. It is observed that the distribution of Heger I kettledrums, a type of kettledrum that originated in Dong Son (the north of Vietnam), is similar to the trade routes that have been composed on the basis of other archaeological finds. By utilizing a model, developed by Bennet Bronson, a plausible explanation for the function of kettledrums in local and international trade networks is hypothesized. The emphasis lies on river networks of the larger islands in the west of the Indonesian archipelago. Localization is illustrated by emphasizing the relation between Heger I and Pejeng (a type of drum that originates from either Java or Bali) kettledrums. I explore all possible similarities and argue that Pejeng drums probably are influenced by Heger I drums. It can be noticed that the historic process of “localization”, can already be observed in Protohistoric times. The islands of Bali and Java seem to have been susceptible to localization in particular. This cannot only be observed by means of the development of kettledrums, but also in the development of temples, reliefs and writing. I illustrate this by mentioning the “vernacularization” theory by Sheldon Pollock, who made comparable observations in the context of the development of Sanskrit.Show less
