5 - Changes in Divinatory Knowledge in 20th Century Java: The Publication of Primbons and Indonesian Nationalism

Although divination is practiced in many different ways around the world, the primbons in Java tell us how divination has been influenced by the times. Primbon is a general name for miscellaneous books of divinatory or esoteric knowledge in Java, including divination using the Javanese calendar and numbers, procedures of rituals, mantras, and traditional medicines. This knowledge was initially passed on to a limited number of people through oral tradition, physical experiences, or books accessible only to those around the court. However, the situation changed drastically when this knowledge began to be published in the form of primbons from the end of the 19th century. 

Against this backdrop, this presentation explores the relationship between the publication of primbons and Indonesian nationalism. Specifically, it focuses on the publication of primbons by two important figures, Tan Khoen Swie and Wong Kam Fu. They were active as nationalists and important for spreading esoteric knowledge to the masses, translating knowledge in Indonesian, and broadening content to Chinese and Western astrology by using their own networks. This study was based on primbons collected or read in Java and libraries in Japan, literature, including books and magazines, and interviews with practitioners and holders of primbons.

Through the study of these important figures and their primbons, we can see that publication has opened up the knowledge of primbons to all Indonesian readers, and relativized Javanese divination knowledge towards people in Indonesia as parallel to Chinese and Western astrology.