Advancing Manuscript Preservation: Workshop on Digital Malay Manuscripts Held in Padang

Padang, West Sumatra – After successfully digitizing over half a million pages of manuscripts across Southeast Asia, the Center for Islamic and Community Studies (PPIM) at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, through its project Digital Repository of Endangered and Affected Manuscripts in Southeast Asia (Dreamsea), collaborated with the Library Unit of Andalas University and the SURI Minangkabau Institute to host a campus workshop titled “Exploring Research Opportunities in Digital Malay Manuscripts.” The event took place at the Andalas University Library on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.

The workshop featured speakers from diverse backgrounds, including manuscript owners, academics, and representatives from government institutions in West Sumatra. Among the prominent figures was Oman Fathurahman, the Principal Investigator of Dreamsea, who shared insights on the project’s impact on manuscript preservation. Other notable attendees included Pramono (Manuscript Expert from Andalas University), Masykur Syarifuddin (Director of the Aceh Pedir Museum), Hadi Rahman (Program Coordinator of Dreamsea–PPIM UIN Jakarta), and several manuscript owners from Sumatra and Malaysia.

The event highlighted the importance of preserving manuscripts without compromising their intrinsic value. It emphasized appreciation for manuscript owners who generously share their collections for conservation efforts. The historical context was also addressed, noting that during colonial times, many manuscripts were confiscated and severed from their communities.

Dreamsea aims to serve as a one-stop portal for global access to Nusantara manuscripts, collaborating with various stakeholders, including government entities and the communities that hold these manuscripts. The initiative focuses on private collections owned by marginalized communities, particularly those at risk of losing their cultural heritage.

At the conclusion of the workshop, Dreamsea presented digital copies of the manuscripts to their owners in West Sumatra, Aceh, and Malaysia, which were digitized in 2023. This gesture represents Dreamsea’s commitment to supporting manuscript owners in preserving their collections and ensuring their cultural significance remains intact for future generations.