Indonesian Tourism: Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi-Land

Indonesian Tourism: Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi-Land

the mysterious of indonesian volcano

“Java Island will be drowned”, said 1 out of 3 people we met at Edelweiss field in Jambangan forest. They are obedient followers of Hindu from Bali who hiked Mt. Semeru to do pilgrimage at the top of it.
That was one week after Lebaran day in 2005, a DIMPA team from University of Muhammadiyah Malang along with me came to Mt. Semeru as a final preparation for ascend to the top of Carstenz Pyramid – which is one of seven summits - in Papua, Indonesia.
Whether or not there was a connection with that prophecy, 2 years later, Sidoarjo and surrounding areas were drowned by mud which has came from a drilling well of PT. Lapindo Brantas.
Each time rainy season comes, there are floods in many areas in Java Island because of the desolation of environment that leads to overflow of the rivers.
Mt. Semeru – also known as (a.k.a) Mahameru (Great Mountain) – is a region of volcanic mountain that lies from the north to the south. It also includes Mt. Bromo in its range. These areas are sacred places for Hindu people. Its natural fertile land is a blessing for around 3,500 people of Tenggerese tribe who live on it.
Bromo-Semeru areas are highly unique adventure places. Bromo’s sand ‘ocean’ – with 5,250 Ha wide at 2,100 m height from the surface of the sea – is one of the dream destinations for tourists. We – just like Hindu followers who do pilgrimage for the gods– will be able to climb Mt. Bromo and approaching calderas which always release smoke.
On December/ January, “Upacara Kasodo” is usually held to wish for blessing in order to achieve successful harvest, according to local belief of Tenggerese.

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south kalimantan, the hidden beauty of borneo

South Kalimantan is one of the 33 provinces in Indonesia or one of the 4 provinces in Kalimantan (formerly called Borneo).

South Kalimantan provinces covers the area of 37.000 km2, with 57 % or about 21.000 km2 forest and mountain range with 1.000 to 1.500 metres altitude above sea level.

The northern and central regions are mountain range which is Meratus range, at the west low land and swamp, while at the east, Forest and grassland.

South Kalimantan is often called the Provinces of Thousand Rivers.

Barito river is the largest and the longest river in Indonesia which is more than 6.000 kms along.

One of its tributary rivers is Martapura river and this river has two tributary rivers and they are Riam kanan and Riam Kiwa river.

It branches with Nagara river which branches in lesser rivers. Other important rivers are river Maluka, river Tabanio, river Sawangan, river Asam – asam, river Jorong, river Kintap, river Satui, river Sabamban, river Kusan, river Batulicin, river Sampanahan, and river Cengal.

All these rivers run right from Meratus range and go through Java sea, Maccasar Straits, and Selat sea.

History

Prior the proclamation of independences of the Republic of Indonesia and prior to the colonial/Dutch periode, South Kalimantan was a Hindu Kingdom, and was known as the Kingdom of Banjar with its capital city, Nagara Dipa, now Margasari about 90 kms from Banjarmasin.

The first king was Pangeran Surianata with Putri Junjung Buih, his queen. The king reigned for 22 years, from 1438 until 1460.

His successor was Pangeran Gangga who reigned for 45 years ( 1460 – 1505 ). He was succeeded by a queen, Putri Kalunggu, who reigned from 1505 – 1530; The Head of the government was however, trusted in the hand of “Patih” Mangkubumi Lambung Mangkurat who had been remembered for his courage and righteousness.

In 1953, that was during the reign of the fourth king of Banjar, whose name was Pangeran Sekar Sungsang. Famed as Maharaja Sari Kaburangan, the central government was moved to Nagara Daha ( at present, Nagara), about 20 kms north of the first capital city with Arya Taranggana as harbor (now, Marabahan).

Under the reign of the seventh King, Pangeran Tumenggung ( 1588 – 1595 ) the capital city was moved again to Danau Panggang, not far from Amuntai ; this took place after Pangeran Tumenggung succeded to take over the power from the hand of the sixth king, Pangeran Mangkubumi.

In 1595 war broke between Pangeran Tumenggung and Pangeran Samudera who was aided by Sultan Demak an Islamic sultanate in Java. The war was won by Pangeran Samudera, the grandson of Pangeran Mangkubumi since his childhood he left Banjarmasin.

Since that time the central of the kingdom was again moved to Banjarmasin which was situated close to the estuary of Barito and Martapura river.

Since the influence of the kingdom of Demak, Pangeran Samudera embrassed Islam and he was the first Moslem Banjar King. He changed his name to Sultan Suriansyah and was called Panembahan Batu Habang.

Government centre had to be moved again and again. In 1612 it was moved to Kayu Tangi, Teluk Selong, Martapura.

In 1650 it was moved again not far from the old site to Mangapan, now Muara Tambangan, at the other side of Teluk Selong.

In 1766 it was moved to Martapura and under the reign of Sultan Sulaeman, the seventeeth Banjar king, the centre was moved again to Karang Intan, then back to Martapura. This took place during the reign of Sultan Adam ( 1825 – 1857 ).

When the dutch colonial declared Indonesia was part of the Dutch sovereign, since June 11, 1860, the Banjar kingdom was abolished. Centra of government was moved by the Dutch to Banjarmasin.

When Republic of Indonesia declared her independence, South Kalimantan like other part of Kalimantan became a province of Indonesia with Banjarmasin as capital city.

Then it became 4 province and Banjarmasin was officially declared capital city of the province of South Kalimantan.

Climate

South Kalimantan is close to the equator; it has two seasons rainy or wet season and dry season. Rainy or wet season usually between October and April while dry season occurs usually between June and September.

Average temperature is 17⁰ to 36⁰ C with humidity rate of 61% - 91%. Sunshine 40% - 90%.

Banjarmasin the capital city of South Kalimantan is usually nicknamed as the city of waterways, because it lies at the mouth of river Barito and Martapura.

Population and culture

The population comprises the native inhabitant and the outsiders.

Thenative inhabitants are the Banjarese which constitutes the majority of the population. The banjarese can be subdivided into the Banjar Kuala ( downstream Banjarese) Banjar Pahuluan ( upperstream Banjarese ), The Batang Banyu Banjarese. Other native inhabitants are Palangan Dayak, Labuhan Dayak, Dayak Bukit, DayakLawangan, Dayak bakumpai, Dayak Abol, Dayak Datar Laga, Dayak Dusun and Warukin Dayak.

The outsider area Javanese, Madurese, Bajau, Bugenese, Chinese and Arab.

Daily Communication uses both bahasa Indonesia and Banjarese; Banjarese which is very similar to Malay is used for informal communication.

English and Arabic and used among the educated.

Culture and tradition in South Kalimantan are the assimilation through ages of these of the Dayak, Malay and Javanese.

Then came the influence of Islam which was introduced by Arabic and Persian Traders.

These can be easily seen from the way of living of the people, especially is arts, such as dance, music, tradition dress, games and ceremonies. “Batamat” for Example is a ceremony held for a teenager who has completed the reading of the holy Qur’an. He will be dressed in full according to the tradition, and an umbrella with sweet fragrant will be held over his head. “Tasmiah” is a tradition to give a baby a name.

Loksado, a mountainous resort at Hulu Sungai Selatan, Kandangan, 145 kms from Banjarmasin held “ Aruh “ a Dayak tradition and usually 3 times every year. This ceremony will be held after the cutting of forest for new rice fields; this is usually in August.

Then in November during the seeding time, and finally after harvest time. This final cycle is called “ Aruh Ganal “ or “ Great Feast “ and this usually in July to Septamber.

In August, around the Proclamation Day of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia, along the Martapura river you may find traditional rowing boat contest, festival of decorated boats and torch march at night. These folk festivals are participated by everybody.

At 24 September, the anniversary day of Banjarmasin, there are a lot of folk shows, Usually a contest to select Miss and Mister Banjar is held.

Also traditional dances such as tari kembang ( flower dance ), lalan, madihin, lamut, mamanda, baksa kelana, baksa temeng, baksa lilin, baksa kembang, tari rabana, tari kuda gipang, tari maiwak and many others and altogether there are about 76 dances.

The dances are accompanied by traditional music which instruments are mostly percussion.

Like other traditional arts, the Banjarese has its oral literature such as madihin and lamut. Folk tales such as Palui stories are still every alive.

Handcrafts are made from local products. Jewelries made of precious and semiprecious stones are mostly made and sold in Martapura.

Rattan and bamboo weaving are from Tapin district, handcraft made of gold, silver, brass and iron are from Hulu Sungai Selatan, also made of wood and rubber.

Sasirangan is a specific textile design and dying is the specialty of South Kalimantan. The design and method of dying is entirely different from those other part of Indonesia.

Pepes Ikan Patin ( spicy fatty river fish broiled in banana leave ), roosted pupuyu ( a kind of sweet river fish ), Saluang, river shrime, Banjerese soto ( a sort of of soupy food ), yellow rice are very popular in South Kalimantan. Various cake local specialty such as Apam Barabai, Dodol Kandangan, Bingka, Kalalapun, Pais and many other can be found every where particularly during the month of Ramadhan, sometime before the break of the fasting. These local cakes and delicacies are sold at Ramadhan Cake Fair close to Sabilal Muhtadin grand Mosque at Jenderal Sudirman road, and also at boat vendors along Martapura river.

Local fruits are among other : durian, rambutan, butter fruits, pineapple, watermelon, bananas, and kasturi ( sweet small mango ).

Religion

About 95 % of the total population are Moslems; the rest are Christians, Hinduists, Budhises and other.

The people of South Kalimantan are very devoted in their religion. Living in good understanding among these followers are very common in this region.

Flora and fauna

High rate of rainfalls, adequate sunshine have made South Kalimantan vertile. Extensive forest with large varieties of woods. South Kalimantan is one among the large producers of wood product in Indonesia. The region is wellknown from its Iron wood, Meranti, Pinus and also rubber.

Kasturi is one of the rare mango species in South Kalimantan. This fruit is an annual fruit; it is a variety of small size mango, very sweet and with specific aroma. Durian, Rambutan, butter fruit, pineapple, watermelon, banana grow well in the region.

Bekantan monkey ( Nasalis Larvatus ) is solely found in South Kalimantan. The hair is reddish brown, long nose and large belly. Many sort of monkeys, deer, snakes, birds, and others are some of fauna species.

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