The TOPONYMY AND HISTORICAL RECONSTRUCTION: TRACING THE LEGACY OF PURA BATAN DAU UNTALUNTAL THROUGH ECOLOGICAL MEMORY

Abstrak

The history of Balinese temples is often difficult to document because many lack purana, or
traditional written chronicles. This absence can sometimes lead people to question the historical
roots of these sacred sites. My study addresses this challenge by reconstructing the story of Pura
Batan Dau in Untal- Untal through the lens of toponymy, the study of place names. Specifically, I
explore how the name "Batan Dau" serves as a vital link to the Dau tree, a local plant that has largely
faded from the community’s collective memory. By comparing this to other nature-based naming
traditions in Bali, this research redefines Pura Batan Dau as a living archive of the region’s ancient
farming landscapes and its evolving spiritual life. Ultimately, this work shows that studying place
names can bridge the gap between the past and present, helping us create new purana grounded in
both nature and history to preserve our heritage amidst a rapidly changing world.