Aims and objectives
Research on Kerinci manuscripts in Jambi has largely focused on heirloom manuscripts, leaving many religious manuscripts in private collections underexplored. The fragments of religious writings discovered in the Kerinci region provide evidence of Muslim intellectual networks, indicating the presence of a Tarekat intellectual network extending deep into the interior of Jambi (Hulu), beyond just urban and coastal areas (Hilir). Manuscripts from Jambi have been digitised in previous EAP projects (EAP352 and EAP117). Since then, other manuscript collections have been discovered. The manuscripts are held by individuals and museums that lack the knowledge to conserve their collections. This raises the material's susceptibility to damage and manuscript trading. Most of these manuscripts were written in the 19th and early 20th centuries. This project, which is planned to last one year, targets Jambi City and the Kerinci Region. After completion, the project's results will be handed over to a library archival partner for public dissemination.
