Minister of Culture encourages local history to become the main stream through the translation of the book of the Kings of Minangkabau

JAKARTA - Minister of Culture Fadli Zon encourages more local historical manuscripts to be translated and published so that they become a source of knowledge for the community, not just stored as manuscript collections.

The statement was made by Fadli at the launch of the Book of the Genealogy of Kings in Minangkabau at the Arsari Function Hall, Arsari Djojohadikusumo Foundation, Jakarta, Thursday, July 2.

According to Fadli, the publication of the book not only adds references for academics, but also expands public literacy regarding Indonesian history.

"The Indonesian literacy narrative about the past history is a part of the identity and the nation's identity that is very potential to be raised. And of course this will give knowledge about the present and the future," said Fadli.

He said local history still holds a lot of knowledge that is not widely known to the public. Therefore, documentation and publication of various regional manuscripts need to continue to be encouraged to enrich the national cultural heritage.

Fadli also invited various regions to re-explore their history through the publication of books and manuscripts.

"I encourage more literacy books that can be lifted from the local history of each that adds to the treasure trove of the wealth of the Nusantara culture, as well as a way of seeing Indonesia as a cultural megadiversity," he said.

The book of the translation of the Book of the Genealogy of the Kings of Minangkabau contains the genealogy of the kingdom, political system, as well as the traces of migration and expansion of the Minangkabau kings. The translation of this manuscript is expected to open wider access for the public and researchers to one of the important sources of Minangkabau history that has not been widely studied.

The Ministry of Culture considers manuscripts to be an important part of Cultural Development Objects because they store the knowledge, values, and collective memory of the nation. Through collaboration between the government, academics, indigenous people, and various stakeholders, more manuscripts of Nusantara are expected to be studied, preserved, and used as a source of knowledge.