Bringing Indonesia’s Manuscript Heritage to the Global Stage

National Library of Indonesia (NLI) stands as the guardian of one of the nation’s most irreplaceable cultural treasures: ancient manuscripts containing Archipelago’s (Nusantara’s) knowledge, traditions, and wisdom across centuries. These manuscripts are far more than relics of the past. They are living witnesses to Indonesia’s diverse civilisations, capturing royal decrees, religious teachings, medicinal knowledge, literary masterpieces, and the philosophies of indigenous communities.

Global Recognition, National Pride

In recent years, several of NLI’s prized collections have gained international acclaim, solidifying Indonesia’s place in the preservation of the world’s documentary heritage. In 2025, two exceptional works –the Sang Hyang Siksa Kandang Karesian manuscript and the writings of 17th century Sufi scholar Hamzah Fansuri – were inscribed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. Together, they embody local wisdom, religious history, and the intellectual evolution of Nusantara.

At the national level, NLI recognises outstanding preservation efforts through the Nugra Jasa Dharma Pustaloka (NJDP) Award for Ancient Manuscript Preservation. This accolade celebrates individuals and institutions that have made exceptional contributions to safeguarding and caring for ancient works, fostering collaboration with custodians whose collections extend beyond NLI’s own holdings.

For NLI, these recognitions serve as more than milestones, they are powerful catalysts for raising public awareness and inspiring broader participation in protecting Indonesia’s documentary heritage.

Registering the Past: National Collective Memory Programme

To ensure lasting protection, NLI launched the Ancient Manuscript Registration Programme in the form of National Collective Memory/Ingatan Kolektif Nasional (IKON) based on National Library Regulation No. 2 of 2023. This programme officially records manuscripts at least 50 years old with cultural, historical, or scholarly value in a national inventory.

Manuscripts may be nominated by individuals, organisations, or local governments. Each nomination undergoes a rigorous evaluation comprising provenance, condition, cultural significance, legal status, and accessibility. Accepted entries are included in the IKON Register, forming a foundation for potential international nominations. This database serves as both a safeguard for legal protection and a bridge linking local heritage to global appreciation.

Legal Foundations and Preservation Strategy

Indonesia’s dedication to preserving manuscripts is anchored in strong legal foundations. Library Law No. 43 of 2007 mandates the recording, maintenance, safeguarding, and media transfer of manuscripts with historical, cultural, and scholarly value by engaging national, regional, and community participation.

National Library Regulation No. 9 of 2024 further outlines specific steps: conservation to prevent deterioration from humidity, pests, or paper acidification; restoration to bring manuscripts as close as possible to their original state; and digitisation to ensure the survival of their contents while allowing public access without risking physical damage.

Preservation in Practice

NLI’s preservation work is managed by four main units working together:

1. Directorate of Deposit and Library Collection Development: Identifies, documents, and promotes manuscripts from across the country while building public awareness of preservation.
2. Centre for Bibliography and Library Material Processing: Keeps accurate bibliographic records to help research and connect them to the national catalogue.
3. Centre for Library Information Services and Nusantara Manuscript Management: Expands public access through exhibitions and educational programs.
4. Centre for Library Material Preservation and Media Transfer: Leads conservation, restoration, digitisation, and provides training for regional partners.

This integrated approach ensures that each manuscript’s journey from identification to preservation is conducted with expertise and care.

Partnering with Communities

Many ancient manuscripts remain in the safekeeping of local communities, religious institutions, and private collectors. NLI actively works with these custodians, offering technical guidance, facilitating manuscript registration, and collaborating on preservation. Workshops, exhibitions, and field visits have uncovered valuable manuscripts from remote regions, some of which have gone on to receive national and international recognition.

Challenges and Innovation

Preserving manuscripts in Indonesia’s tropical climate poses unique challenges such as high humidity, fluctuating temperatures, natural disaster risks, and limited specialised resources. NLI has responded with a combination of traditional expertise and modern technology, including climate-controlled storage, advanced conservation equipment, high resolution imaging, and digital repositories to make collections accessible worldwide.

This blend of innovation and craftsmanship has created a sustainable preservation ecosystem, one capable of withstanding environmental pressures while ensuring that the nation’s documentary heritage remains accessible for generations to come.

From Nusantara to the World

The synergy of strong legal frameworks, technical expertise, and community collaboration has brought ancient manuscripts from the quiet corners of Nusantara to the attention of the world. Whether exhibited internationally or shared online, these works foster cross-cultural understanding and underscore the universal importance of preserving collective memory.

A Legacy to Protect

Protecting ancient manuscripts keeps our culture’s story alive, linking the past with the present and shaping the future. Through its commitment to protecting, recording, and sharing these works, NLI safeguards the nation’s heritage and supports the global effort to protect the world’s documentary history.

Contributed by Arwan Subakti, Librarian and Public Relations Officer, National Library of Indonesia