Description
Book SynopsisThe author's investigation of early-modern Javanese law reveals that judicial authority does not come from the contents of legal titles or juridical texts, but from legal maxims and variations thereof. A century and a half ago Simon Keyzer, a recognized scholar of Javanese law, noted that understanding of that law is dependent upon a grasp of such pithy expressions, which provide the key to the whole body of suits. (
Preface, C.F. Winter,
Javaansche Zamenspraken, 1858, which examines hundreds of
sloka, the majority of which are directed to prevailing legal practice). Drawing upon the contents of 18th century Javanese legal texts, the present work builds upon Keyzer's and Winter's references to '
sloka-phenomena', namely
sloka proper (maxims) and its derivatives
sinalokan (that made of
sloka),
aksara here meaning legal principles, and
prakara (matter, case). These are usually conveyed in vignettes illustrating their function and as a group, constitute the essence of traditional Javanese written law.
Table of ContentsPREFACE INTRODUCTION 1 Section I. Law, Sloka, and Sources Chapter 1. Traditional Law: Sloka in Pepakem Chapter 2. Sloka in Javanese Titles Section II. Sloka Phenomena in Vignettes Chapter 3: Sloka Chapter 4. Aksara Chapter 5. Sinalokan Chapter 6. Prakara Chapter 7. Vignettes and 'Practice' Section III. Character, Apparent Demise, Revival Chapter 8. Character Chapter 9, Context SECTION IV. End Material Appendix I. Problematic Pepakem Tjerbon Appendix II: Classic Sloka Appendix III. Titles 'Left Out' Appendix IV. Diverse Components GLOSSARY SOURCES CONSULTED INDEX
