Djong
Javanese sailing ship that influenced the term 'junk'.
The djong, also known as jong or jung, is a type of sailing ship originating from Java that was widely used by Javanese sailors. The word 'djong' is a colonial Dutch romanization; in its languages of origin it is spelled 'jong'. Jongs were used mainly as seagoing passenger and cargo vessels, traveling as far as East Africa and possibly Madagascar in the medieval era, and their tonnage ranged from 40 to 2000 deadweight tons, with an average of 1200–1400 tons during the Majapahit era.
- Origin
- Java
- Type
- Sailing ship
- Primary use
- Passenger and cargo vessel
- Tonnage range
- 40 to 2000 deadweight tons
- Average tonnage (majapahit era)
- 1200–1400 deadweight tons
- Also used as
- Warship by some Javanese kingdoms
Lore & Background
The etymology of 'jong' is disputed. Some claim it comes from Southern Min Chinese (Hokkien: chûn, meaning 'boat'), but scholars Paul Pelliot and Waruno Mahdi reject this Chinese origin. Instead, it may derive from Old Javanese 'jong', meaning ship, recorded in 11th-century Sembiran inscriptions in Bali. The word was borrowed by Sumatrans and appears in the late 15th-century Undang-Undang Laut Melaka, a maritime code composed by Javanese shipowners in Melaka, where it frequently refers to freight ships. European writings from 1345 through 1609 use various related terms, including 'jonque' (French), 'junco' (Portuguese), and 'jonk' (Dutch). The English word 'junk' traces to Portuguese 'junco', from Arabic 'j-n-k', which originally denoted both the Javanese jong and the Chinese ship, though they were markedly different vessels. After the jong disappeared in the 17th century, 'junk' came to refer exclusively to Chinese ships.
Reader's Guide
The djong played a significant role in medieval maritime trade and exploration. During the Majapahit era, almost all commodities from Asia were found in Java due to extensive shipping using jongs for trading to faraway places. Javanese sailors navigated using a solid system of star path navigation, compasses, and maps; Portuguese considered Javanese maps the best in the early 1500s. A chart recovered by Afonso de Albuquerque from a Javanese pilot in 1512 included the Cape of Good Hope, Portugal, Brazil, and the Red Sea, indicating advanced geographical knowledge. Portuguese accounts noted that Javanese navigated to the Cape of Good Hope and communicated with Madagascar, where genetic and linguistic links to Maritime Southeast Asia have been confirmed by research. The djong's legacy includes influencing the term 'junk' and its rigging, though the original Javanese vessel disappeared in the 17th century.
Did You Know?
- The word 'djong' is a colonial Dutch romanization; the original spelling is 'jong'.
- Jongs traveled as far as East Africa and possibly Madagascar in the medieval era, but there is no reliable evidence they reached the Atlantic.
- The English word 'junk' originally referred to both Javanese and Chinese ships, but after the jong disappeared in the 17th century, it came to mean only Chinese ships.
- A Javanese maritime pilot's chart recovered by Afonso de Albuquerque in 1512 showed the Indian Ocean and parts of Southeast Asia, not the Americas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Djong?
A djong (also spelled jong or jung) is a traditional sailing vessel that originated in Java and served as a seagoing passenger and cargo ship for Javanese sailors. The spelling 'djong' is simply a Dutch colonial romanization of the original Javanese word 'jong.'
How big were Djongs?
These vessels ranged dramatically in size, from small craft of about 40 deadweight tons up to massive ships of 2,000 deadweight tons. During the Majapahit period, the typical djong sat around 1,200 to 1,400 deadweight tons.
What were Djongs primarily used for?
Javanese sailors employed djongs mainly as passenger and cargo vessels for long-distance maritime trade, with routes stretching as far as East Africa and possibly Madagascar in the medieval era. Some Javanese kingdoms also pressed these ships into service as warships.
Where did the Djong originate?
The djong is a Javanese invention, developed on the island of Java where it became a staple of local maritime activity. It served as the workhorse vessel of Javanese seafarers for centuries before European contact.
How is the Djong connected to the word 'junk'?
The English term 'junk' for a type of sailing ship is actually derived from the Javanese word 'jong,' which referred to this very class of vessel. This linguistic borrowing shows how the Javanese sailing tradition shaped maritime vocabulary far beyond Southeast Asia.
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