The Origin of Borneo (1)

The Map of Borneo: Past and Present – Gradually tilting. Photo Credit: Special.

BORNEOTRAVEL - PONTIANAK: Borneo, also known as Tanjungpura in the Negarakertagama text, offers an endlessly fascinating history that spans across the ages.

 The third largest island in the world has had many names over time, each telling its own story.

Poerbatjaraka briefly references Tanjungpura, and in the Sumpah Palapa, it's mentioned: "... Tanjungpura too," as a place that would either be conquered or become a vassal of the Majapahit Empire during that era. 

In the Nagarakertagama, the island is referred to as "Bakulapura" — with "bakula" meaning cape — while in the Pararaton text, it’s called Tanjungpura.

In ancient Nusantara history, Tanjungpura was a well-known name for Borneo. Back then, it was common to give the islands of the archipelago distinctive titles, such as:

1. Jawadwipa - the island of rice for Java.
2. Suwarnadwipa - the island of gold for Sumatra.
3. Hipadwipa - the island rich in diamonds beneath its surface, also called Ratnadwipa, the island scattered with precious gems.

Writing the history of Borneo is as intriguing as writing The History of Java, even though we later learned much of it was based on copied sources. 

Looking at the map of Borneo through the ages, you can see how the island, though slightly tilted over time, always appears like a tiger ready to pounce, unchanged in its mighty shape.

Do you recognize the names Sucadana and Lara from those ancient maps?

-- Rangkaya Bada