pusaka

Pusaka is a term used in Malay-speaking regions and Indonesia to refer to a sacred or valuable object that is inherited, entrusted, or specially consecrated. The concept covers tangible items as well as the authority and respect attached to them. Pusaka objects are traditionally associated with family lineage, clan or royal history, and communal memory; they are often kept in a place of honor and may be guarded by a designated custodian. They are believed to carry blessings, protection, or the legacy of ancestors, and their handling is governed by customary protocols and ritual language.

Common forms of pusaka include heirloom weapons such as keris or other regalia, ritual objects like talismans or amulets, sacred manuscripts, jewelry, or ceremonial stones. In some communities, pusaka may also refer to a sacred site or a natural object imbued with ancestral power. The transmission of pusaka is usually selective, passing to chosen heirs, apprentices, or hereditary custodians who undertake ongoing rituals of care, maintenance, and reverence.

In contemporary discourse, pusaka remains a living facet of cultural identity for many communities. It intersects with fields such as anthropology, art history, and heritage preservation, raising questions about ownership, custodianship, and the ethics of keeping or displaying sacred objects in households, museums, or public spaces.