Lontar (traditional manuscripts)

Lontar refers to traditional manuscripts created from dried palm leaves, commonly used in Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia and Bali. These manuscripts are prepared by inscribing texts onto the dried leaves with a stylus, often inked afterwards to improve readability. Lontar serve as important cultural and religious records, containing literature, historical accounts, rituals, and knowledge. Their production and preservation reflect a rich heritage of oral and written traditions, showcasing how communities historically recorded and transmitted information before the advent of modern paper and printing techniques.