Javanese literature

Javanese literature is a rich tradition primarily written in the Javanese language, a member of the Austronesian language family spoken on the island of Java. This literary tradition dates back to around 750 CE and has been significantly influenced by Indian and Islamic literatures.1

Early Javanese literature includes prose and poetic versions of the Hindu epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, as well as works influenced by Sanskrit court poetry. Following the arrival of Islam in the 15th century, Javanese literature incorporated mystical elements, blending them with existing mythologies.2

While Javanese literature has a long history, its prominence has been impacted by the rise of Bahasa Indonesia as the national language. Modern Indonesian literature, which includes works in Javanese, began to emerge in the 20th century, influenced by Western literary movements and the Indonesian nationalist movement.2