Kedatuan

A Kedatuan (sometimes also spelled Kadatuan) was a type of polity in Maritime Southeast Asia, particularly prevalent during the classical period of Indonesian history. It is generally understood as a type of principality or kingdom, smaller in scale and influence than a Kraton (kingdom or palace complex), but possessing a degree of autonomy and self-governance.

The term Kedatuan is derived from the Malay-Sanskrit word datu (or datuk), meaning "chieftain" or "lord," with the suffix -an denoting a place or state. Thus, a Kedatuan signifies the territory or domain ruled by a datu.

Key characteristics of a Kedatuan included:

• Rule by a Datu: Governance was typically hereditary, with power concentrated in the hands of a datu and their family.
• Territorial Base: A defined geographical area constituted the Kedatuan, although its boundaries could be fluid and subject to change based on political and military events.
• Autonomous Governance: While some Kedatuan might have been tributaries or vassals to larger empires, they retained a significant degree of self-governance in internal affairs, including law, customs, and economy.
• Economic Activity: Kedatuan economies were often based on agriculture, trade, and resource extraction, with the datu playing a key role in regulating these activities.
• Social Hierarchy: Society within a Kedatuan was typically stratified, with the datu and their family at the apex, followed by nobles, warriors, merchants, and commoners.

The existence of Kedatuan is documented in various historical sources, including inscriptions, chronicles, and accounts of foreign travelers. Examples of known Kedatuan include, but are not limited to, those found in the early history of Srivijaya and the Philippine archipelago before the arrival of Spanish colonizers. The concept of a Kedatuan highlights the decentralized nature of political power in many parts of Maritime Southeast Asia during the classical era.