UNS — The Philology Research Group of Indonesian Literature and Language Program Faculty of Cultural Studies (FIB) Universitas Sebelas Maret (UNS) Surakarta held a national webinar and training for manuscript digitalization. The webinar was held online on Tuesday (29/6/2021) through the Zoom Meeting platform and FIB UNS YouTube channel. In this event, the Research Group invited Prof. Istadiyantha, Asep Yudha Wirajaya, S.S., M.A., and Bagus Kurniawan, S.S., M.A. as speakers. The event was attended by around 190 participants from all over Indonesia and abroad.
In his material, Prof. Istadiyantha, a Professor in FIB UNS, explained the documentation of traditional and modern manuscripts. He explained the types of paper used in ancient times, such as papyrus. “Manuscript creation using this media is developed around Egypt. The oldest manuscript was found on papyrus which is around 1,500 years old, that tells the story in Bible on the last Supper and the story of Manna from heaven,” Prof. Istadiyantha explained.
Papyrus is a plant found on Nil riverbank. The next plant used as a writing medium is lontar (type of palm leaves). Prof. Istadiyantha mentioned that Indonesia has a collection of ancient Al-Quran written on lontar in Masjid Nurussalam, Surabaya. “This Al-Quran is 50 cm x 40 cm and 10 cm thick,” he added.
The next speaker, Bagus Kurniawan, S.S., M.A., explained that philology is considered antiquarian, classical, and monotonous science. Besides required to be an expert in literature, a philologist is also demanded to be a language expert, for example, Dutch, Sanskrit, and Arabic. He also added that philology couldn’t develop amid the pandemic without the digital era. “The digital era makes philology easier to perform. The manuscript can be accessed online. Saving cost, time, and energy,” he explained.
He added that manuscript digitalization could be an entry point for modern philology to develop and at least be on the same ground with literature studies. Currently, philology needs to consider other technologies to assist its development. Uli Kozok study is an example of a multidisciplinary philology study. Other fields of studies could be utilized to develop philology. “The ease to access text is the key for the development of philology studies in the future,” Bagus Kurniawan added.
The last material from Asep Yudha Wirajaya, S.S., M.A., discussed manuscript digitalization. He explained the benefits of manuscript digitalization, such as providing research materials for interested parties with relatively low costs, especially for national students. Manuscript digitalization also provides information on scriptorium and its attributes to improve an understanding of manuscript content. This process aims to maintain the universal values in a manuscript as a source of knowledge to build a nation. “It is also as an alternative for the government, institution, and manuscript management to preserve ancient manuscript,” he explained.
The tool needed for manuscript digitalization is laptop, tripod, camera, EOS Utility software, lighting, memory card, and other supporting devices. After the materials, participants have an opportunity to apply manuscript digitalization. Participants showed high enthusiasm during the practice. This event is expected to open knowledge for the manuscript observer to preserve ancient manuscripts amid technological development. Humas UNS
Reporter: Bayu Aji Prasetya
Editor: Dwi Hastuti