To Pole-Pole and Kambaq Jawa Story: The Representation and Reproduction of Majapahit’s Presence in West Sulawesi

This article examines how two oral stories, To Pole-Pole and Kambaq Jawa, from the Banggae and Mandar communities in West Sulawesi represent and reproduce the historical presence of the Majapahit Kingdom in the region. Drawing on oral traditions, intangible cultural heritage, and collective memory, the study highlights that these narratives are not merely local folklore, but serve as vital links to Majapahit’s past influence. To Pole-Pole recounts the arrival of figures from the east—Majapahit territory—who landed at Baranek Pier and married the Papuangan Princess at Salabose. Meanwhile, Kambaq Jawa describes how Majapahit troops reached an old settlement called Mojopahit (later Manjo Pait), and how a figure named Kambaq Jawa introduced tombstone carving skills to the local community at Mandar. Using a combination of textual/contextual analysis, memory studies, oral history methods, and archaeological evidence, this research finds that both stories reinforce Majapahit’s legacy and cultural impact in West Sulawesi. These oral narratives offer alternative local perspectives that complement dominant historical accounts and underscore how regional memory and identity are continuously shaped by the recollection and reinterpretation of the Majapahit era, ultimately contributing to a broader national awareness.