Saturday, April 23, 2016

TENGGARONG, KUTAI KARTANEGARA --1600 Years History




                                                        


The journey from Sepinggan Airport, Balikpaan toward Tenggarong within about four hours of driving a four-wheel vehicles on slippery roads paved. At the edge of the highway is two settlements then vast forests stretching limitless horizons. Minibus be driving in high speed without jams or honking hampered atmosphere deafening. In the middle of the road we can momentarily stopped for dinner at Restaurant Soto Banjar before traveling back passed. Public toilets are available around the shop or in the mosque, used to give a little in return for rupiah. This time I am on my way bencmarking the Leadership Education and Training New Trends III Force One. Tenggarong selected as the destination with consideration as the oldest historical sites with a very high income areas, so as to raise the welfare of the people.

It was dark when we arrived at the city limits, Mahakam River water looked dark as ink solution with no light except the light from barges or boats and houses that stood on the river bank. We have been tired when resting in a three star hotel after a day's journey from Makassar, a hot shower and then sleep on the couch into the most comfortable rest. Tomorrow we start the first day of activity Regents meeting with officials, a visit to the Office of Population and Civil Registration as well as other Office for different groups then pay a visit to the Museum Mulawarman. Hardly a decent word spoken except, "Amazed!". Eventually I ended up in a position that is known as the history since the fourth century, 1600 years ago.

The geographical position Tenggarong City is located at 116 ° 47 '- 117 ° 04' east longitude and 0 ° 21 '- 0 ° 34' South Latitude. The highest point of the center is located about 500 meters above sea level, the soil tends to as swamp land in the plains near the banks of the river and hilly. The average air temperature of 30 ° C, with an annual rainfall average of 1500 to 2000 mm per year. Tenggarong is a district town once the capital of Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan. Tenggarong region is divided into 13 sub-district has a total area of ​​398.10 km2, a population of over 100 thousand inhabitants.
Tenggarong is the capital of the Sultanate of Kutai ing Martadipura. The city was founded on September 28, 1782 by Raja Kutai 15th, Aji Muhammad Muslihuddin, which is also known by the name Aji Imbut. The city was originally named Edge Pandan when Aji Imbut moved the capital of the kingdom of Pemarangan. By Sultan Kutai, Pandan Tepian name was later changed to White Ladder which means the house of the king. But in its development, White Ladder is more popularly known as "Tenggarong" until today.
According to legend Dayak community Benuaq of group Ningkah Olo, Tenggarong name according Benuaq language is "Tengkarukng" comes from the word tengkaq and bengkarukng, tengkaq means rising or setting foot into a higher place, just as the climbing stairs, bengkarukng is a plant roots. According to the Benuaq community when a group of people Benuaq -which is expected to be a descendant Ningkah Olo heading inland along the Mahakam River they stopped at a place alongside the banks of the Mahakam, by climbing the river bank through the roots bengkarukng. Hereinafter referred Tengkarukng bengkarukng roots, because the accent Malay "sprain". Tenggarukng hereinafter referred to Tengkarong, eventually naming Tengkarong turned into Tenggarong. The changes are due to language Benuaq many have a difficult consonant ordinary speakers of Malay / Indonesian.

Name Kukar bring memories back to the past, is currently studying in school. Kutai is the site of the oldest kingdom in the archipelago with the first king Kudungga. Sources history as Yupa, inscriptions in the sacrifice that comes from the 4th century. There are seven yupa is the main source for the experts in interpreting the history of the Kingdom of Kutai. Yupa is a stone monument as a memorial to the generosity of the king Mulawarman Brahman. In Hinduism cows are not slaughtered as a sacrifice made Muslims. From one yupa known, that the king who ruled the kingdom of Kutai when it is Mulawarman. His name is recorded in yupa for his philanthropy menyedekahkan 20,000 cows to the Brahmins. In the Indonesian National History Book II: Ancient Times written by Marwati Djoened Poesponegoro and Nugroho Notosusanto published by Balai Pustaka page 36, transliteration inscription above are as follows:

"Śrīmatah Sri-narendrasya; kuṇḍuṅgasya mahātmanaḥ; Putro śvavarmmo vikhyātah; vaṅśakarttā yathāṅśumān; tasya son mahātmānaḥ; Traya Trayas ivāgnayaḥ; teṣān trayāṇām pravaraḥ; Tapo-bala-damānvitaḥ; Sri mūlavarmmā rājendro; yaṣṭvā bahusuvarṇnakam; tasya yajñasya Yupo 'yam; dvijendrais samprakalpitaḥ. "

This means:
"Emperor Kundungga, a very noble, has a son of the renowned Aśwawarmman the name, which like Angśuman --dewa Matahari-- foster family is very precious. The Aśwawarmman has three sons, like a fire, who sacred. Leading off the third son is the Mūlawarmman, civilized king good, strong, and powerful. The Mūlawarmman has held that name festivity gold-very-much. For -festivity warning that this stone monument was set up by the Brahmins. "

Now, after Kutai history written over 1600 years, Tenggarong the center of government were amazing. Lembuswana statue stands in the front yard Mulawarman Museum and in every corner of the city. Lembuswana characterized as bull-headed lion, wearing the crown – symbol of might  a king who is considered the ruler and the crown is considered a sign of royal power as a god, gods --trunked elephant god Ganesha as intelligence, winged garuda, and scaly fish. Lembusawana is an icon of tenggarong symbolizes the mighty and intelligent leadership.

Leaders were able to collaborate on the oldest history, natural resources, natural resources and innovation to achieve the original income of 300 Trillion every year of coal and petroleum. Of the total revenue referred Kutai regional government get six Trillion to fund the Department of Work Unit in the framework of development. Then the Civil Service, to continue living in affluence with benefits and operating costs are high. While the office building stands as five-star hotel, located in an office environment Regent Tenggarong. Each department has a program of work aimed at improving the welfare of society.

In front of the office of Regent Tenggarong is the Mahakam River continues flowing towards the estuary. Above the water level of the river barges never stop loading coal toward a predetermined place, so that the results of this nature would be a source of local revenue. Overpass, located not far from the regent's office while still in the repair process. Passing barge in mobilizing coal gives shocks to the bridge foundations in a way that the bridge collapsed years ago. The atmosphere of the highway free of traffic jams, every motor vehicle both four-wheel and two wheels can be passed quickly without a hitch. Lush trees on two side of the road, the restaurant serves a delicious menu for lunch, hot rice, grilled chicken, grilled fish, sauce, fresh vegetables, fresh vegetables and beverages.

On the left stands Mulawarman Museum Art Market, all merchants offering a variety of handicrafts with decorative beads and precious stones of different colors. Hand bags, tissue boxes, miscellaneous --kalung jewelry, bracelets, rings, giwang-- fabrics and a variety of souvenirs offered in a decent price. Various colors agate displayed behind the storefront, inviting interest, especially for fans. In addition to the Museum Mulawarman there are still some memorable place to visit, is the Museum of Wooden Tuah Himba, Kumala Island, Planetarium Universe Tenggarong, Reservoir Flag Sukarame and Erau held each September related to the anniversary of Tenggarong, the capital of Kutai regency. Is the Cultural Festival which starts from the history of the king's coronation which have now been included in the calendar of events of national tourism, is no longer associated with art and culture palace Kukar but rather varies with different appearances diverse arts and cultural as well as living and growing throughout the district of Kutai mammal.

There are still many facets of life in the aquatic mammal that can be visited later followed up, but the visit is always limited in time. When leaving the city with a walk along the Mahakam River, remains one wanting to go back to the same place at different times to visit specific places. Including the upper reaches of the Mahakam River where traditional societies settled with the customs and culture specific.


                                                          
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