The Center of Perahu Pinisi Industry

Perahu Pinisi


Since long time ago, the Bugis people of South Sulawesi have been famous for their excellent sailors. They were very expert for travelling across the seas and oceans for the Nusantara (Malay archipelago) territory by Perahu Pinisi (Pinisi ship). 
Perahu Pinisi is well-known as a means of traditional sea transportation amongst the Bugis people since many centuries ago. According to the manuscript of Lontarak I Babad La Lagaligo, Perahu Pinisi has already existed since around the 14^th century A.D. According to the manuscript, Perahu Pinisi was first made by Sawerigading, The Crown Prince of Luwu Kingdom. The material to make the ship was taken from welengreng tree (dewata (god) tree) which was very strong and not easily brittle. But, before the tree was cut, a special ceremony must be held so that the spirit in the tree would move to another tree. Sawerigading made the ship to sail to China to propose a Chinese princess, named We Cudai.





Sawerigading succeeded marrying Princess We Cudai. After some time living in China, Sawerigading missed his home. Using his ship, he sailed back to Luwu. But, when his ship was about to reach Luwu beach, suddenly a great wave rammed the ship and made it broken into pieces. The pieces of his ship were cast onto three territories of Bulukumba Regency: Ara, Tana Beru, and Lemo-lemo. The local people in those territories used the pieces to make a new luxurious ship named  Perahu Pinisi.
Until now, Bulukumba is still well-known as the producer of Perahu Pinisi craft. The artisans keep maintaining the tradition for making the ship, especially in Tana Beru.

How to Access Location

The centre of Perahu Pinisi industry is located in Tana Beru, Bontobahari Sub-district, Bulukumba District, South Sulawesi Province.  Tana Beru, as the centre of Perahu Pinisi industry, is located 176 kilometres from Makassar City or 23 kilometres from Bulukumba District. To get to Tana Beru from Bulukumba, visitors can go by private vehicle or public transportation, such as pete-pete (minibus). 

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Cangkuang Temple

Cangkuang Temple in Garut West Java

Cangkuang derives from Sundanese language replacing term for pandan leaf (Pandanus furcatus) that in the past was used by local people to make hat, plaited mat, and palm sugar wrapper. Now, cangkuang is used both as the name of village and temple.

Cangkuang Temple was discovered firstly by Prof. Harsoyo and Drs. Uka Tjandrasasmita on December 19th , 1966. Both of them included into the researcher team of Leles history. It was discovered after receiving a report stated by Vordeman on the Notulen Bataviaasch Genootschap – published in 1893 A.D. – saying the existence of an ancient graveyard and the remain traces of Siwa Statue in Leles. Some other pre-historic age legacies were discovered on the next research. They were kendan stones (oxidant stone), pieces of earthenwares from the neolithic age and big stones from the megalithic age.

Having a look at the shape of the temple, some archaeologists assumed that the temple was erected in the eighth century. However, from  the simple ornaments used, the making technique, and a chinese record, there is a prediction that the temple was built in the seventh century, on the same era as the building of Javanese temples.

Along the journey to the location, you will ride by Pulo Village which has the unique tradition and well-preserved traditional houses. By taking getek – raft made of bamboo – you will see the panoramic sight of Cangkuang temple that is awesome.

The atmosphere in Panjang Island, the location of Cangkuang Temple, is quite fresh and has imposing view because there is a beautiful park and the number of teureup tree, banyan trees, and  randu tree (Ceiba pentandra). Moreover, the existence of Mount Haruman, Mount Mandalawangi, and Mount Guntur combined with the calm water of surrounding area can enhance the location as the worth visiting tourism destination for you.

A public small museum keeping many antique objects and 12 ancient books is located nearby the temple. Some documents telling the history and all information relating to the temple can also be found in the museum.

About a kilometer away from the museum, there is a tomb of Embah Dalem Arif Muhammad. It is believed that he was the envoy of Mataram Kingdom who was assigned to fight againts VOC in Batavia (Jakarta). After being defeated by VOC, he and his entourage decided to keep staying in Cangkuang where the local inhabitants there had embraced Hindu. Considering such reality, the location is a right place for cultural and natural tourism.

Cangkuang Temple Location

Cangkuang Temple lies in Cangkuang Village, Leles Sub-district, Garut District, West Java Province, Indonesia. Cangkuang Temple‘s location is about 46 km away from Bandung and 20 km from Garut District. Depart from your home to Garut District then go on to Leles Sub-district. The temple is three km away from Leles highway or about 35 minutes by walk. Having passed by Pulo Village, you have to wade Lake Cangkuang by getek to Cangkuang Temple. Tourism information center, mosque, museum, shelter, parking area, and raft for hanging around the location are available for you. Moreover, food stalls, souvenir shops and beautiful park are also supporting facilities that may offer you memorable visit. The entrance ticket to the location is IDR 2000/person. 

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Bledug Kuwu

Since the reign of old Mataram Kingdom (732 – 928 A.D.), bledug kuwu has been shaped out naturally from the volcanic mud in the district of Grobogan, Central Java, Indonesia. Over and above the existence of eternal fire resources of Mrapen and Kedungombo dam, Bledug Kuwu is the worth visiting tourism destination in Grobogan District, Central Java Province. Bledug Kuwu is derived from Javanese language, bledug means explotion/ to explode and kuwu/ kuwur  means  run or scattered about.

The early history of bledug kuwu was started when a man namely Joko Linglung was going home from the Pacific Ocean to Medang Kamulan Kingdom through a hole – that is now bledug kuwu – after defeating Prabu Dewata Cengkar. Joko Linglung made the hole himself as he was able to transform  into a snake. Such ability was a requirement to be admitted as the son of Aji Saka, the roler of Medang Kamulan Kingdom.

Along the journey to bledug kuwu, you will see the natural view of thick forest, green farms, and beautiful hilly areas. In the location, you will see frequent small explotions of the mud every two to three minutes. The wallow mud area is 650 meters in diameter. Sometimes, the mud`s explotions can be as high as local inhabitants` houses.

The existence of bledug kuwu is utilized by local inhabitants for livehood resources by producing salt. The activity of local people in producing salt in the location is a distinction which is rarely found in the mainland. The expertise of local people in producing salt was recorded on the history of Surakarta Kingdom.

Bledug Kuwu Location

Bledug Kuwu lies in Kuwu Village, Kradenan Sub-district, Grobogan District, Central Java Province, Indonesia. Taking public transportation like bus from Semarang bus station to the location requires IDR 10000 for the costs. Then, you must continue the trip to the location by taking minibus with IDR 5000 in charge.The entrance ticket to the location for observing the natural phenomenon of vulcanic mud in bledug kuwu is IDR 500. Some food stalls, guesthouses and other supporting facilities can be easily found around the location. Of course, the shops selling local salt can be found as well. 

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Jatijajar Cave

Welcome to Jatijajar Cave

Jatijajar cave was naturally shaped out of limestone. It was discovered by a farmer namely Jayamenawi in 1802 A.D., when he was grassing then suddenly sunk into a hole. Some people lent a hand for him to come out of the hole by uncovering the thick grass covering the hole. Finally, they realized that the hole led to a cave which was assumed for having three ventilations on the wall.

The entire length of the cave is 250 meters, scattering from the entrance door to the way out. Not only that, the cave is 12 meters high, 15 meters square of width,10 meters of the canopy and situated at an altitude of 50 meters.

It was Suparjo Rustam – the Governor of Central Java -  who had an idea to develop Jatijajar Cave as a valuable tourism destination in 1975. The building process was conducted by CV. AIS, Yogyakarta, headed by Saptoto, a famous dioramic expert coming from Yogyakarta. After that, the further management was taken over by the local government of Kebumen.

A spurting-water dinosaur statue, in front of the cave, symbolizes the urgency of the cave. People entering the location will pass by the mouth of the statue. The spurting-water from the statue‘s mouth comes from the Kantil River and the Mawar River. It is believed that the water never dries up even in drought season. Often, the water is utilized for irrigating the people‘s farms.

Exploring into the cave, you will see the wondrous scenery of surrounding area. Flickering lamps lightening the entrance door to the way out, enhance the comfort of your visit. Thus you are not necessary to be afraid of the illumination inside the cave. Some holes on the wall of the cave function as ventilation so that the air circulation within the cave keep on stable. In the center of the cave, there is a circle stone for your seat when you are tired, so you can keep enjoying the beauty of the cave.

About eight dioramas with 32 effigies depicting the story of Raden Kamandaka (commonly known as the story of  Lutung Kasarung) – the son of Padjajaran King – who lived as an ascetic in the cave looking for divine inspiration, can be watch therein. He lived as an ascetic in Jatijajar Cave because the location, at the time, included into the territory of Padjajaran Kingdom (now West Java)  with Bogor (cited in Batutulis inscription) as the capital.

While the entrace door to the cave is the mouth of dinosaur statue, the way out of the cave is the tail of the statue. The distinction of the cave from other caves in Indonesia is the existence of four underground rivers (seven in other sources) listed below: the Mawar River, the kantil River, the Jombor River, and the Puser Bumi River. The Mawar River and the Kantil River flow through narrow fissures penetrating the wall to the way out. By washing our face by the water of the Mawat River, it is assumed for being able to make us stay young. And, washing our face by the water of the Kantil River can make our dreams come true. The last two underground rivers, the Puser Bumi River and the Jombor River are intentionally considered as sacred by the management of the cave. People who want ot explore those two underground rivers must have permission from the management first.

Jatijajar Cave Location

Jatijajar Cave lies in Jatijajar Village, Ayah Sub-district, Kebumen District, Central Java Province, Indonesia. It is about 21 km away southwetern direction of Gombong Sub-district. You can take either public or private transportation remembering the location of Jatijajar Cave can be easily accessed. For you taking public transportation, you need to take bus passing by Gombong – Jatijajar route from Gombong bus station.

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Teluk Stabas Festival

Teluk Stabas Festival is commonly called Pesta Sekura (Sekura Party) or Pesta Topeng (Mask Party) by Lampung people. The festival is intentionally celebrated as an effort to reveal, to preserve, and to develop the heritage of Lampung people`s cultural civilization. It originally comes from Lampung society, especially West Lampung society that is visited by either local or foreign tourists. Moreover, the local government officials also include into the participants of the festival.

Sekura Dance is celebrated to express the happiness of Muslim people after a month of fasting. The celebration is held a day after Eid El-Fitr dated on Syawal 1st to 5th by turn from one village to another. Sekura means a mask intended to uniform the facial expression of people celebrating the happiness in a same way. The multifarious masks used during the celebration are the magnetic attraction for people coming to the Merdeka square in Liwa Limbar City.

There are two types of sekura dances, sekura betik and sekura kamak (dirty). It is called betik as the masks are beautifully decorated with long cloth. Otherwise, kamak is type of masks that are made of wood that look dirty with plant tassels as the decoration.

During the celebration, you may join the dance amongst the real dancers when you have put on the masks over your face. At the end of the celebration, panjat pinang (areca climbing) competition is conducted where many presents are put above the areca.  That is one of the cultural heritages of Lampung people with various cultural backgrounds.

Teluk Stabas Festival Location

Sekura Festival is held at public space area in Merdeka Square, Liwa-limbar City, West Lampung District, Lampung Province, Indonesia.

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Lake Bakuok

Lake Bakuok

Representing a  tourist destination in Riau, Lake Bakuok is a tributary of Kampar River  forming an island-shaped delta. The lake‘s ring is about one kilometer, whose water  empties to Kampar River. The lake which is 1000 meters x 100 meters is a  protected area by customary law. The inhabitants in the vicinity of lake are  prohibited to catch fishes except in the mauwoo season when all people  go fishing collectively around the Ramadan month or on the commemoration of  Indonesian independence. Different from similar tradition of lubuk larangan found in West and North Sumatra where all  caught fishes are distributed equally for the fishers, the mauwoo tradition gives the fishers what they got.  

Within Bakuok Lake,  live different kinds of fishes such as patin fishes, baung and  other fresh water fishes. Besides, there is a special fish growing up in the  lakes which is motan fish. 

How to Access Lake Bakuok?

The lake is  situated in Aur Sati village, Tambang sub-dsitrict, Kampar district, Riau province,  Indonesia. Bakuok Lake is about 50 kilometers northwest of Pekanbaru city,  the capital of Riau province, Indonesia.  Its exact location is six kilometers from the highway. 

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The Kadriah Palace

The Kadriah Palace in West Kalimantan

The establishment of Pontianak City cannot be separated from the early history of the Kadriah Palace that was built by Sayyid Abdurrahman Alkadri (1728-1808 A.D.). He was well-known as the first Sultan of the Kadriah Sultanate who wandered to many regions in Malay Archipelago to carry on the international commerce purposes.

His father, Habib Husein Alkadri (1770 A.D.), was a sultanate religious judge and a prominent Islamic scholars. He decided to look for a new settlement after the death of his father. On his journey, they met an entourage of pirate in Batu Layang but, they could defeated the pirate. On October 23rd 1771 A.D. (Rajab 24th 1181 H), the entourage of Habib Husein Alkadri arrived at a confluence of three rivers (the Landak River, the Kecil Kapuas River, and the Kapuas River) then decided to dwell there.

Historically, the Kadriah Palace was built in 1771 A.D. then finished in 1778 A.D., with the first sultan of the Pontianak Sultanate was Sayyid Syarif Abdurrahman Alkadri. During its development, the palace underwent some renovations and reconstructions. Noted that the most frequent renovations were during the tenure of Sultan Syarif Muhamad Alkadri. At present, Sultan Sayyid Abubakar Alkadri titled Pangeran Mas Perdana Agung, is the ninth Sultan of the Pontianak Sultanate.

This 60 x 25 meters square palace is made of the best choice of belian woods for the front part of the palace. The surrounding park is full green grass which is neatly organized and clean. Thirteen archaic cannons made of Portugal and France surround of the palace.

There is a room in the front part of the building called Anjungan that was used by the Sultan to rest and to watch the panoramic view of the Kapuas River and the Landak River. The Anjungan and the terrace of the palace are connected by a ladder in the right side of the Anjungan.  An emergency alarm called genta is also located there, in the front part of the building.

A crown and three symbols of moon and stars are located above the front main door of the palace symbolizing the Islamic Sultanate of Pontianak. Its hall, which is commonly called Balairung, is dominated by yellow color depicting – based on Malay people – authority and high sincerity. Religious ceremony and welcoming honoured guest are usually conducted in this room. Some of the sultanate`s properties such as the photographs of the Pontianak Sultanate, fully-decorated lamps and the throne of the Sultan and his consort can be found there as well as in the innermost room of the palace.

The left and the right side of the hall or Balairung are six 4 x 3,5 meters square rooms which one of them is the bedroom of the Sultan. The other rooms are dinning room and toilet.

Around 200 meters western direction of the palace, you can find the Great Mosque of Sultan Abdurrahman. The mosque was built by the first sultan of the Pontianak Sultanate, Sultan Syarif Abdurrahman Alkadri.

The Kadriah Palace Location

The Kadriah Palace is located in Beting, Dalam Bugis Village, Pontianak Sub-district, Pontianak City, West Kalimantan Province, Indonesia. Regarding the location of the Kadriah Palace that is in the center of Pontianak City, you can reach the location via water transportation and land transportation. Accessing the Kadriah Palace via water transportation can be started from Senghie Harbour. However, accessing via land transportation, you can take any public transportation passing by the bidge of the Kapuas River. Around the Kadriah Palace, you can easily find floating restaurants, food stalls, souvernir shops, and boat/speedboat rentals.

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