The Javanese Travels of Purwalelana: A Nobleman’s Account of His Journeys Across the Island of Java 1860–1875 by Judith E. Bosnak and Frans X. Koot (review)

Abstract

As one might expect from a Hakluyt Society publication, this is a sumptuous book that gives us an English translation and edition of four remarkable journeys across the length and breadth of Java in the mid-19th century. Originally published as Lampah-lampahipun Radèn Mas Arya Purwalelana (The travels of Purwalelana) in 1865–66 (reprinted 1877–80, the text used here), the present edition’s exceedingly well chosen full color plates and seventy-three black-and-white images, many by renowned 19thand early 20th-century professional photographers of the Indies,1 enable us to journey with the author through Java in 1860–75 (in fact 1857–79, dating that will be discussed below) at a time when Javanese society was undergoing profound changes as it entered the modern world.