Wilangan Museum (Anjuk Ladang Museum)

Tracing the Footprints of Civilization at Anjuk Ladang Museum: The Cultural Heart of Nganjuk

Museum Anjuk Ladang, administratively located in a strategic area of Nganjuk Regency, East Java, is more than just a repository for ancient artifacts. For the local community, this museum is a "Cultural Center" that bridges the glorious past of the Medang Kingdom (Ancient Mataram) with the modern identity of the Nganjuk people. The name "Anjuk Ladang" itself refers to the Anjuk Ladang Inscription, dated 937 AD, which serves as authentic proof of Nganjuk Regency's anniversary and a significant historical milestone in East Java.

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Preservation of Archaeological and Ethnographic Heritage

Museum Anjuk Ladang plays a vital role in preserving artifacts spanning various eras, from the pre-literate period, the classical (Hindu-Buddhist) era, to the colonial period. Its prominent collections include stone statues such as the Arca Siwa and Durga, terracotta fragments, and ceramic collections from the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Preservation efforts here are not passive. The museum conducts regular conservation programs involving experts to ensure that andesite stone and metal artifacts remain protected from weathering. Uniquely, the museum also houses ethnographic collections such as traditional farming tools and Nganjuk's distinctive batik, which explain how the agrarian cultural ecosystem shaped the character of the local community.

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Education and Historical Literacy Programs

As a cultural center, Museum Anjuk Ladang serves as a living laboratory for students and university scholars. The educational programs offered are highly structured, including "Museum Goes to School" and thematic educational tours. In these programs, museum guides not only explain the technical functions of the objects but also the philosophy behind the name "Anjuk Ladang," which means "Land of Victory."

Students are invited to understand the heroic event of Mpu Sindok in repelling the attack of the Malay army (Sriwijaya), which was later immortalized in the Jayastambha (victory monument). This education aims to instill pride and foster the identity of Nganjuk's youth so they do not lose their cultural roots amidst the currents of globalization.

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Development of Traditional Arts and Performances

Museum Anjuk Ladang functions as an open stage for local artistic expression. One of the arts regularly performed and studied here is Wayang Timplong. Unlike general wayang kulit (shadow puppet), Wayang Timplong is made of wood (similar to wayang klitik) and accompanied by simpler yet magical music. The museum provides space for Wayang Timplong artists to practice and perform plays sourced from the Panji stories.

In addition, the museum is a meeting point for traditional dance communities, especially Tari Tayub Nganjuk. Although Tayub is often considered folk entertainment, within the museum's context, this dance is placed within the framework of fertility rituals and welcoming guests, complete with explanations of its costume conventions and movements.

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Craft Workshops and Community Empowerment

To ensure the continuity of local crafts, Museum Anjuk Ladang organizes periodic workshops involving local artisans. These programs include:

1. Anjuk Ladang Batik Workshop: Participants are taught batik making with distinctive motifs such as the Stupa motif or the Red Onion motif (Nganjuk's main commodity).

2. Lay Curator Training: Inviting community members who find ancient objects on their land to learn initial handling procedures for cultural heritage objects before reporting them to the authorities.

3. Stone Carving Art: Given the numerous statue finds in the Nganjuk region, the museum occasionally invites carvers to demonstrate replica creation techniques as a form of technical education.

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Cultural Events and Annual Festivals

Museum Anjuk Ladang becomes the center of gravity during the Nganjuk Anniversary celebrations. One of the most anticipated events is the "Boyongan" ritual, a cultural procession that reconstructs the relocation of Nganjuk's center of government from Berbek to its current location. In this festival, the museum acts as the endpoint or exhibition center for regional heirlooms.

Additionally, there is the "Gelar Budaya Anjuk Ladang" (Anjuk Ladang Cultural Showcase) event, which features historical-based carnival costume parades, Javanese language storytelling competitions for children, and temporary exhibitions inviting numismatic (ancient currency) and philatelic collectors from all over East Java.

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Role in Local Cultural Development

The existence of Museum Anjuk Ladang has spurred the emergence of creative communities around it. The museum acts as a facilitator or cultural "incubator." For example, photography communities often use the museum's backdrop as an object for visual exploration, while literacy communities use the museum garden for discussions on local history books.

The museum management also actively collaborates with the Nganjuk Department of Tourism, Youth, Sports, and Culture (Disparporabud) to map cultural heritage potential in remote villages. The museum serves as the primary database documenting sites like Candi Lor and Candi Ngetos, ensuring that information about these sites is accessible in an integrated manner at the museum's information center.

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Revitalization and Modernization of Visitor Experience

Recognizing the importance of visual appeal for millennials and Gen Z, Museum Anjuk Ladang continuously improves its facilities. The arrangement of collections is now more thematic with dramatic and informative lighting. The utilization of digital technology, such as QR codes on every collection label, allows visitors to access in-depth information via their smartphones, including audio-visual content about the excavation process of specific artifacts.

The green open spaces around the museum have also been arranged to serve as inclusive public spaces. This has transformed the museum's image from being perceived as eerie to a comfortable creative space for gathering. In the afternoon, the museum area is often filled with residents simply enjoying the building's architecture, which blends modern elements with replicas of the victory monument.

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Conclusion: Hopes from the Land of Victory

Overall, Museum Anjuk Ladang is not just a silent building but a dynamic cultural entity. Through the integration of artifact preservation, artistic performances, public education, and community empowerment, the museum successfully fulfills its function as the forefront in safeguarding the dignity of Nganjuk's culture.

As the "Land of Victory," Museum Anjuk Ladang continuously strives to win the hearts of its people to remain in love with their ancestral heritage. With the spirit of revitalization, this museum is projected not only to be a local tourist destination but also a recognized center for archaeological and cultural studies at the national level, bringing Nganjuk's name honor through its grand historical narrative.