A few weeks ago, Indonesia’s atmosphere felt tense. Waves of protests swept across social media, echoing far beyond national borders. The movement quickly caught the global attention, especially across Southeast Asia.
Amidst the digital noise, a new hagstag #SEAbling suddenly come up and immediately went viral. Taken from the word “sibling” and combined with SEA (Southeast Asia), #SEAbling became a symbol of regional solidarity. This is a reminder that, beyond flags and borders, Southeast Asians share something deeper like a sense of kinship.
What made this moment striking was not just the viral hashtag, but it revealed a quiet realization that this spirit of togetherness isn’t new. Long before social media gave us a way to connect instantly, the peoples of Southeast Asia were already bound by trade, language, and shared history.
This is surely a unique moment, because In fact, centuries ago, that same spirit of unity once found its strongest expression under one great empire named Majapahit.
Read also: Maja: The Bitter Fruit That Inspired a Glorious Empire
The Strong Strings
Majapahit was more than a name in history books. It stood as a symbol of unity, ambition, and wisdom. It was an empire that transformed islands into a connected world.
Under King Hayam Wuruk and Prime Minister Gajah Mada, Majapahit became a formidable maritime power, not only through military strength but also through diplomacy and innovation.
By the 14th century, Majapahit’s shipbuilders had mastered the art of constructing massive vessels with three or even four sails, admired by foreign explorers. They also developed outrigger ships, assembled without nails but bound by wooden pegs that allowed them to glide with the wind. Each ship carried cannons, symbolizing both defense and dominance.
With this mastery of the seas, Majapahit controlled crucial ports and spice routes. The empire’s prosperity rested not only on agriculture but also on its vibrant trade, such as using spices to pay soldiers, forge alliances, and enrich the royal treasury.
Through commerce, diplomacy, and even inter-royal marriages, Majapahit’s influence stretched across Southeast Asia as far as the Malay Peninsula, the Philippines, and parts of Thailand.
Perhaps that’s why, even today, we find familiar faces, shared traditions, and similar words across the region. They are quiet reminders of a past where the idea of “SEA siblings” was already a living reality long before it became a hashtag.
Indonesia’s Historical Hidden Place: The Heritage of Majapahit Kingdom
From Glory to Memory
But as with many great civilizations, time eventually dimmed Majapahit’s brilliance. After King Hayam Wuruk’s death, Majapahit began to weaken as internal conflicts and shifting religious tides reshaped the archipelago. The rise of Islam brought new cultural waves that slowly transformed Southeast Asia’s political landscape.
Yet, the past still whispers through discovery. According to Good News From Indonesia, remnants of a Majapahit settlement were found two kilometers beneath the Malacca River.
Divers unearthed temple fragments and fortress-like structures, and it possibly part of a submerged city that existed before Parameswara founded Malacca in 1400.
Symbols carved into the relics bore resemblance to Javanese inscriptions, suggesting Majapahit’s presence once extended deeply into the Malay world.
Read also: The Mongol Invasion of Java: Clash of Empires and the Rise of Majapahit
Majapahit may have vanished from the map, but its legacy lives on. It is a reflection of Southeast Asia’s shared roots and enduring spirit. Its story reminds us that unity doesn’t mean uniformity. It means connection, mutual respect, and shared destiny.
Just as #SEAbling unites voices across modern borders, Majapahit once bound islands and cultures together through trade, art, and diplomacy.
The tools might have changed from ships to social media, but the essence remains the same connection, solidarity, and belief that our strength lies in togetherness.
By revisiting Majapahit’s story, we don’t just look backward, we rediscover the timeless idea that Southeast Asia, in all its diversity, has always been a family.
References:
Good News From Indonesia (2024). Melacak Jejak Kebesaran Majapahit di Negeri Jiran,Pengaruhnya Terbentang dari Thailand Hingga Singapura. https://www.goodnewsfromindonesia.id/2024/11/25/melacak-jejak-kebesaran-majapahit-di-negeri-jiran-pengaruhnya-terbentang-dari-thailand-hingga-singapura
Kompas (2025). Majapahit: Kerajaan Maritim Terbesar di Asia Tenggara. https://www.kompas.com/stori/read/2025/05/27/100000979/majapahit--kerajaan-maritim-terbesar-di-asia-tenggara?page=all#page2
Radar Majapahit (2025). Menelusuri Kejayaan Majapahit, Kerajaan Besar yang Mengukir Sejarah Asia Tenggara. https://radarmajapahit.jawapos.com/darmo-corner/2296309720/menelusuri-kejayaan-majapahit-kerajaan-besar-yang-mengukir-sejarah-asia-tenggara
