Trowulan Museum

Exploring the Glory of Majapahit at Trowulan Museum: A Center for Culture and Ancestral Heritage Preservation

Museum Trowulan, now officially known as the Cultural Preservation Center (BPK) Region XI, is more than just a repository for artifacts. Located in the heart of the Trowulan archaeological site in Mojokerto, East Java, this institution stands as a vital cultural hub connecting modern society with the grandeur of the Majapahit Kingdom. As an epicenter for research and education, Trowulan Museum plays a crucial role in preserving the nation's collective memory through a series of dynamic cultural programs.

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Architectural Heritage and Collection Conservation

The museum houses thousands of collections spanning the prehistoric, classical (Hindu-Buddhist), and Islamic periods. However, its primary focus is on Majapahit relics. Visitors are not only presented with static displays but are also invited to understand the philosophy behind the artifacts. Featured collections such as the Harihara Statue, detailed terracotta pieces, and a miniature Majapahit house serve as primary materials for conservation programs involving the community. Here, traditional preservation techniques are combined with modern science to ensure that materials made of clay and andesite stone remain protected from the weathering of the tropical climate.

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Educational Programs: Archaeology School and Cultural Literacy

One of the main pillars of Trowulan Museum is its involvement in formal and non-formal education. The "Museum Goes to School" and "Learning Together at the Museum" programs are regular agendas. In these programs, students not only listen to lectures but are directly involved in simulated archaeological excavations designed specifically for the educational area.

The museum also organizes cultural literacy workshops focusing on the reading of Inscriptions and Ancient Manuscripts (Paleography). Participants are taught how to read Old Javanese and Sanskrit scripts inscribed on copper plates or stones. This activity aims to ensure that younger generations do not lose access to the original narratives of their own history, which are often locked within archaic languages.

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Traditional Arts and Majapahitan Crafts

Museum Trowulan actively fosters artisan groups around Mojokerto to revive characteristic Majapahit crafts. One of the most prominent programs is the revitalization of Trowulan Terracotta Art. Terracotta, or fired clay crafts, is a hallmark of Majapahit aesthetics that had faded. Through the museum's guidance, local artisans are now capable of producing replicas of piggy banks, mini statues, and roof decorations (tiles) using authentic traditional firing techniques.

In addition to crafts, the museum serves as a stage for traditional art performances such as Wayang Topeng Dance and Reog Kendang. Every month on specific dates in the lunar calendar, the museum courtyard is often used for fragmented dance performances that draw their stories from the Negarakertagama or Sutasoma epics. This makes the museum a public space where performing arts are not just entertainment but also a form of respect to ancestors.

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Cultural Events and Annual Festivals

As a cultural center, Trowulan Museum hosts various national-scale festivals. One of the most anticipated is the "Trowulan Festival" or "Majapahit Cultural Showcase." During this event, a cultural parade is held involving all elements of the Mojokerto community, from artists and cultural figures to students.

Other unique activities include "Ruwatan Masal" (Mass Cleansing Ritual) and the "Jamasan Pusaka" (Heirloom Cleansing) ritual. Although the museum is a scientific government institution, it still respects local spiritual values. The cleansing ceremony for heirlooms is performed with traditional Javanese customs, attracting thousands of tourists and believers to witness the purification process of themselves and historical objects. This demonstrates the museum's role as a bridge between historical objectivity and the subjective cultural experiences of the community.

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Community Empowerment and Creative Economy

Museum Trowulan does not stand as an ivory tower. Through the "Cultural Heritage-Based Community Empowerment" program, the museum encourages local residents to become certified cultural tour guides. Residents are taught to explain the history of the Kedaton Site, Tikus Temple, and Bajang Ratu Temple from an accurate perspective.

Furthermore, the development of a creative economy based on Majapahit motifs is also encouraged. Motifs found on temple reliefs are incorporated into Mojokerto Batik designs. The museum provides visual references for batik designers to create new patterns such as the "Surya Majapahit" (Majapahit Sun) or "Buah Maja" (Maja Fruit) motifs, which have now become the visual identity of the Mojokerto region.

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Preservation of National Cultural Heritage Area (KCBN)

Since its designation as a National Cultural Heritage Area, Trowulan Museum has shouldered a great responsibility in the zoning and protection of the site. The "Participatory Zoning" program involves landowners in helping to protect ancient structures that may be buried beneath their settlements. The museum provides compensation and education on how to handle archaeological finds independently before expert teams arrive on site. This fosters a strong sense of belonging among the residents of Trowulan towards their historical heritage.

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Role in Local Cultural Development

The existence of Trowulan Museum has transformed Mojokerto into a cultural city based on historical research. The museum serves as a reference for the local government in formulating culturally-informed development policies. For example, the use of Majapahit-style architecture (exposed red bricks) in government buildings in Mojokerto is a result of aesthetic advocacy pioneered by the curators and archaeologists at this museum.

The museum also facilitates a monthly discussion forum called "Wicara Budaya" (Cultural Talk). This forum brings together academics, archaeologists, artists, and historical communities (re-enactors) to discuss the latest field findings or re-interpret Majapahit historical events in the contemporary context.

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Conclusion: The Museum as the Heart of Life

Museum Trowulan has transformed from a mere storage place for inanimate objects into a living cultural organism. Through the integration of physical preservation of statues and buildings with the preservation of non-physical values such as crafts, dance, and oral traditions, the museum has succeeded in keeping the flame of Majapahit civilization burning.

For visitors, a trip to Trowulan Museum is not just a journey to see the past, but a reflection on the nation's identity. Under the shade of the lush pule trees in the museum complex, history is not only learned through texts but felt through the breath of art and the dedication of its people in preserving the great heritage of East Java. Trowulan Museum is tangible proof that a great nation is one that not only respects its history but also brings it back to life in the daily movements of its culture.