Curses in Javanese royal inscriptions from the Singhasari-Majapahit period, AD 1222-1486

Abstract

The wadihati arose amid the gathered crowd standing under a banyan tree (?). The akudur began the ceremony; he slit the chicken's throat and smashed the egg, turning to the quarters of the chthonic powers, pronouncing a curse, speaking loudly, cursing as in time immemorial. The passage cited above, taken from the inscription of Tuhafiaru, found in Sidoteko, in the' district of Mojokerto (AD 1323), marks the beginning of a curse. Curses are so common in Old Javanese royal inscriptions that one might state that they formed an integral part of this type of epigraphic texts. Curses are highly formulaic in their word usage and contain much interest- interesting information about the ceremonies performed in connection with them, ing the punishments feared, and the gods and spiritual powers involved. Surprisingly enough, they have so far received very little attention.