RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian author Wenri Wanhar has introduced a transformative perspective on South Asian history with the release of his new book, 'Lingga Yoni Sriwijaya', in February 2026. While traditional accounts based on stone inscriptions have long described Sriwijaya as a kingdom, Wenri argues it was instead a 'Kedatuan', a center of noble learning.

By re-examining archaeological evidence, he suggests this shift in terminology reshapes our understanding of Sriwijaya’s grandeur, positioning it as an intellectual hub rather than a purely political entity.

The term Kedatuan, Wenri explains, derives from the Sanskrit word Datu: Da meaning noble and Tu meaning person. “A Datu is a noble person; in traditional adages, it is described as someone of vast nature and wide fields,” he noted in a recent press release. He likened the role to modern intellectual achievements, comparing a Datu to an academic title such as doctor or professor.

Wenri highlights how Sriwijayan inscriptions embody three symbolic categories of life: sprouting, egg-laying, and womb-bearing. The Kedukan Bukit Inscription represents the egg. The Kota Kapur Inscription resembles a sprouting lingga. The Karang Brahi Inscription reflects the womb through its yoni-like form.

Inscriptions found in Bangka and Bangko carry identical warnings: that knowledge should not be used for competition or harm. Both begin with a tale of two powerful figures who perish in battle, underscoring the dangers of arrogance. Wenri emphasized, “This is in accordance with the adage of the datus’ knowledge: intercept before drifting, floor before rotting, remember before being struck.”

According to Wenri, these inscriptions served as boundaries to remind scholars of humility. He interprets the linguistic meanings of Bangka and Bangko - the beginning and the end - as coordinates for the Kedatuan, with significant sites like the Muaro Jambi temple complex and Muaro Sabak lying between them.

Since George Coedes first announced Sriwijaya in 1918, scholars have debated its capital’s location, with theories ranging from Palembang and Jambi to the Malay Peninsula, Java, or Ligor. Wenri contends that if Sriwijaya is viewed as an intellectual gathering place rather than a political kingdom, the identical inscriptions in Bangka and Bangko provide the definitive clue.

Wenri likens the Kedatuan to a modern academic community or campus. “Based on the available evidence, it is difficult to deny that Sriwijaya is a Kedatuan which, if converted to the present day, is something like a civitas academica,” he remarked.

While acknowledging that many still see Sriwijaya as a kingdom, he remains open to differing interpretations. “It’s okay; we aren’t forcing an opinion. It’s just fun, and in time, you will know the truth.”

The 144-page book includes primary archives from Sriwijaya’s discovery and a 1954 report commissioned by Minister Moh Yamin. Wenri’s work invites readers to explore history through a new lens, with the title Lingga Yoni symbolizing harmony and duality, revealing the philosophical foundations of one of Southeast Asia’s greatest civilizations. ***