Exploring Divine Lineages and Legitimacy: Hierogamy, Genealogical Memory, and Power Construction in Indonesian Folklore

Folklore narratives often function as cultural mechanisms through which societies construct memories of origin, authority, and identity. This article examines how hierogamy narratives in Indonesian folklore transform sacred ancestry into genealogical legitimacy and social authority. Employing a qualitative comparative folklore analysis with a genealogical reading approach, this study examines seven Indonesian folktales: Jaka Tarub, Rajapala, Pego dan Putri Petong, Bujang Bekurung, Putri Tujuh (Ternate), Sidang Belawan, and Putri Tujuh (Maluku). The analysis focuses on three dimensions: the transformation of social status following sacred unions, the transmission of legitimacy through genealogical relationships, and the narrative trials that validate authority. The findings demonstrate that hierogamy functions as a cultural mechanism through which celestial being origins are converted into political, social, and customary legitimacy. Sacred marriages establish extraordinary ancestry, genealogies preserve and transmit symbolic authority, and trials confirm the legitimacy of protagonists and their descendants. The study also reveals a gendered paradox: celestial women provide the foundation of sacred legitimacy, yet authority is frequently institutionalized through male-centered genealogical systems. By positioning hierogamy as a form of genealogical legitimation, this article contributes to folklore and genealogy studies by demonstrating how narratives construct, preserve, and negotiate authority across generations.