INDONESIA AND BEYOND: Bengkulu

Bengkulu

The Capital City of Bengkulu Province is “Bengkulu”

In the past, a kingdom named Selebar existed in this area. A vassal state of Banten, it was the latter's main source of pepper, cloves, nutmeg and coffee, the trade commodities on which the Javanese Kingdom thrived. On July 12, 1685, Selebar signed a treaty with the British East India Company, gave the latter the right to establish a warehouse and fortification. First, the British built Fort York. Then, another one arose, located more to the north. Built in 1713-1719, this latter fortification was named Fort Marlborough. It was the British power seat and influence in these western parts of the archipelago until 1825, when under the terms of the London Treaty, England handed over the Dutch territory in exchange for others, ended 139 years of British power in Bengkulu.

Bengkulu had used to be the only British colony in Southeast Asia for over 140 years. It was founded as an alternative source for pepper, after the Dutch got rule over Banten in the 17th century. This small British outpost along a low populated shore however has never been of much value: the importance of pepper on the world market was rapidly descending and Bengkulu was too far away from the main trade routes to mean anything. From 1685 to 1825 the books of the British East Indian Company reports very bad trade, boredom and early death because of malaria.

Fortress York, the first British base, was founded in 1685, followed by the construction of Fortress Marlborough two kilometers ahead in 1715. The British thought that the local population was 'indolent' and it was usual to punish their leaders. When William Dampier was in Bengkulu in 1690, he found two of those leaders chained because 'they didn't bring in the demanded amount of pepper to the Fortress'. Outside protests of the British government, this form of punishment was common into the beginning of the 19th century. Bengkulu was awakened from apathy during Raffles reign (1818 - 1824), but in 1825 the colony was transferred to the Dutch, in trade for the acknowledgement of the British influence on the Malaysian peninsula and Singapore. During his stay in Singapore, Raffles started to explore the sea, what eventually ended in the foundation of Singapore. His enjoyment over the booming economy of his new colony was overshadowed by the sad fact that three of his four children died in Bengkulu. The British influence was kept limited to the small coastal planes. The Dutch annotated the mountainous hinterlands in the 19th century after a number of military expeditions. Shortly before the turn to the 20th century the Dutch discovered that the mountains near Bengkulu contained tremendous gold deposits and the province soon became the biggest gold-producing province of the Dutch Indies.

Bengkulu population consists of four main groups. The Rejang are the mountain people and form the majority. They are divided into two groups: the highland Rejang and the coastal Rejang, which have moved to the western lowlands. In the south live Serawai, which are related with the Pasemah in the highlands around Pageralam and Mount Dempo. In the capital, there are many Malay people. Bengkulu province has been inhabited ever since the pre-historic times, which is proved in the findings of stone tools in the northern area, and the discovery of megalith constructions and old drums from the Dongson type in the south. The isolated Enggano Island just of the southern beach, living another group habitat. For a long time the Engganese were protected by influences from outside, because of their remoteness, but eventually pocks and other diseases, which were brought to the island by Western expeditions at the end of the 19th century, struck them. Around the end of the 19th century it is tried to bring fresh blood into the group, but that didn't succeed as well. During the reign of Soekarno, the island has temporarily been a prison island as well.

Bengkulu is the smallest and lowest populated province of Sumatera. Bengkulu province is located on the southwest coast of Sumatera. It occupies of 19,831 sq. km area and has about one million populations, comprising mostly Rejang, Malay, Bugis and Chinese ethnic ancestry people. Bukit Barisan mountain range constitutes its northeastern border, beyond which laid of South Sumatera province and Jambi province. The province protected by a stretch of mountains, which soon flow into the mighty Bukit Barisan. Tigers and elephants wander through the remains of the original rainforest, where exotic rafflesia's and orchids grow.

The British founded Bengkulu in 1685. It is a university town and administrative centre. It is the last territory in Indonesia to be held by the British. Fort Marlborough, constructed in 1762, is a castle with gatehouse that contains old gravestones with English inscription. Sir Stamford Raffles, who later found Singapore, was lieutenant - government of Bengkulu from 1818 to 1823.

Thomas Stamford Raffles was an important figure in Bengkulu history, which in 1817 was appointed as a Lieutenant-Governor of Bencoolen, the only territory in the area, which the Dutch had never managed to bring under their control. Raffles was an extraordinary and energetic man of wide-ranging interests. In the year of his arrival, he and a botanist named Joseph Arnold discovered the world's largest flower, at Manna River near Lubuktapi, in South Bengkulu. The flower is now known as Rafflesia Arnoldi and is the official symbol of Bengkulu province.

Tabah Penanjung, an hour drive into the hills above Bengkulu is a nature reserve where rafflesias are often found. Mt Bukit Kaba, near the hill town of Curup can be climbed in a day from Bengkulu.

Curup is the capital of Rejang Lebong regency in Bengkulu. Located on the slopes of Bukit Barisan Mountains. The motto of Curup Administration "KOTA IDAMAN", a dream city, IDAMAN is an abreviation from INDAH dan AMAN means BEAUTIFUL and SAFE, the peoples said beautiful of its green forest, beautiful of mountains, beautiful of water fall, beautiful its virgin of nature and SAFE for who come and visit this small and cool Bengkulu town. This is a rich area in recreation spots. There are hot water springs at Suban, 7 km from Curup, and at Tambang Sawah about 4 km away. Kepala Curup waterfall is 31 km from the town.Bengkulu province area is 21,168-sq.km widths. Bukit Barisan mountain range constitutes its northeastern border, beyond which lie in South Sumatera and Jambi provinces.

Curup City

Traditional Costumes

Rejangnese's men wear a coat as a traditional costume which is affected by changing of culture. It is different with others especially in using Destar (head cloth), Sarong, and Necklace made from jasmine. The women appear with the simple elegant dress. They wear short sleeve, silky sarong songket, gold carved necklace, bracelet, and little bit accesories. These costume usually used in the wedding ceremony.

Geographically

Geographically, Bengkulu is located between 2o and 5o South Latitude and between 101o and 104o Eastern Longitude. This Province is bordered by:

East side; Jambi Province, West side; Indian Ocean, South side; Lampung Province and Indian Ocean, North side; West Sumatera Province.

Administratively

Bengkulu Province is divided among 1 municipality and 3 districks, with Bengkulu as its capital city. Temperature Its humidity is 87% and the rainfall ranges 3,598 mm per year. The temperature of this area ranges between 22.2o C and 31.1o C.

Demography

Bengkulu Province has an indigineous community consisted of Manna, Muko-Muko, and Minang. A transmigration program supports a migration flow to this province. The population density of this province was 68 people per Km2. Compared to the average national population growth amounted to 2.144% per year; this province was on the higher level with 3.42% per year in the 1990-1994.

Population

Bengkulu province is located on the southwest coast of Sumatera. It occupies of 19,831 sq. km area and has about one million populations, comprising mostly Rejang, Malay, Bugis and Chinese ethnic ancestry people.

Bukit Daun

This is a protected recreation forest located between Bengkulu and Curup, about 45 km from Bengkulu. It is inhabited by a great variety of animal species. Located in a sparsely populated region of Sumatera, Bukit Daun forms a twin volcano with Gedang volcano, which is truncated by a 3-km-wide probable caldera. The 600-m-wide summit crater of Bukit Daun contains a crater lake; a smaller crater lake is found at Tologo Kecil on the SSW flank. No historical eruptions are known from Bukit Daun, although active fumaroles occur in the SSW flank crater.

Bukit Kaba Crater

Kaba Volcano is located at Rejanglebong Regency, Bengkulu, Sumatera Island. There are 8 craters show historical explosive activity. The summit area of Kaba volcano contains three high peaks - Bukit Kaba, Bukit Itam (1893 m) and Bukit Malintang (1713 m) with three craters among them called Kaba west-old crater, Kaba middle-new crater and kaba vogel sang crater, one of them is still active. Vapors incessantly escape from 12 fissures in the earth and hot water springs are found in the vicinity. For those who like mountain climbing, this crater complex is in the sulfurous mountains.

Tikus Island Sea Garden

Tikus Island is a group of small islands is excellent for fishing, snorkeling and diving with easy access. Mountain air makes this a pleasant stop for a couple of days. There is popular hot springs near Curup at Suban. Tikus is the name of a cluster if islets surrounded by coral reefs that teem with various forms of marine life, soft and hard corals, and fish of all colors and sizes.

The islets can be seen from Bengkulu town. This Island is surrounded by rock composition with its various colorful fish. The island has a good potential to develop marine tourism, particularly around the area and is quite enjoyable to do fishing, snorkeling or diving. In the island, there is a lighthouse, which is occupied by a keeper. It is easy to reach the island because it is not far from Bengkulu City and visible from Bengkulu coast by speedboat in the old harbor of Bengkulu City.

Panjang Beach

This beach is located 3 km west of Bengkulu town, and stretches for approximately 7 km. Many cottages are available as well as other recreational facilities. The Long, Clean, white-sand beach is good for sunbathing. There is a public swimming pool and tennis facility, along with restaurants, seaside cottages and hotels. This long white clean beach is hard to find in another Indonesian beaches, which is good for sunbathing and has some marine attractions.

Enggano Island

Enggano lies about 110 miles (177 km) south of Bengkulu city. It is about 22 miles (35 km) long east west and 10 miles (16 km) wide north south. Its average elevation is about 330 feet (100 m). Hills, rising to about 922 feet (281 m), cover most of the area. The island covers an area of 40,260 hectares, which is dominated by dense rainforest with its wild buffaloes. Mainly we can see the culture, or the life manners of traditional society and native's Enggano dances. A pioneer boat at Baai Island Harbour or hiring a small boat at Bintuhan seaport can reach the island. Visitors can see the culture, or the life manners of traditional society and native's Enggano dances. A pioneer bat at pulau Baai harbor or hiring a small boat at Bintuhan seaport can reach the island.

There are 5 clans Isukul spread over the entire island: The Kaharuba, Kaarubi, Kaitora, Kaahoao and the Kauno. A matrilineal society, descent is traced through the female line and daughters usually inherit farmlands. Half call them Christian, the other half call them Mosleem. But actually this society is one of the last truly animist strongholds in Indonesia. Engganese culture is sure now to disappear as a result of assimilation into an indiscriminate Indonesian culture.

Fort Marlborough

Fort Marlborough is an old fortress Built in 1713 till 1719 by British East India. As a British colonial heritage, Marlborough is located in the main street of Bengkulu. Inside the building, there is a subway connected to the outside. It was as the second strongest fort built by British in the east after Fort George in Madras, India. Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles in 1817 was appointed by British Administration as Lieutenant Governor of Bengcoolen (Bengkulu), during his administration, a botanist JOSEPH ARNOLD discovered the world largest flower at Manna district, southern parts of Bengkulu, the Flower is well known as RAFFLESIA ARNOLDI. The British ruled the region more than 100 years, then in 1825 under the London treaty, the administration was Handing over to the Dutch until Indonesia get the Independence Day in 1945.

Rafflesia Arnoldi

Rafflesia Arnoldi is one of the rare plant that only grows in the southern part of Sumatera, especially in Bengkulu Province. In 1818, a British lieutenant of Thomas Stamford Raffles and Dr. Arnoldy who was then serving as governor of Bengkulu and botanist, is the person who first discovered this plant in Bengkulu.The largest part of the FlowerRaflesia Arnoldi are five petals that surround the inside, which looks like a barrel-shaped mouth. At the base of the barrel-shaped, there are stamens or pistil, depending on their gender, male or female. Separation of the stamens and pistils are making a foul-smelling flower fertilization is rather difficult. It takes the help of insects, wind, or water in order to make flower Rafflesia Arnoldi can bloom.Rafflesia Arnoldi growth time can take up to nine months, and if the flowers are blooming, it will only last for a week. No wonder, if not many tourists who are lucky enough to see the flowers that usually bloom in August through November.When in bloom, Raflesia Arnoldi can have up to 1 meter diameter, and weighed about 11 pounds. These flowers will emit a bad odor, but this smell will attract insects to approach it, thus enabling conception to happen.

Rafflesia Arnoldi flora conservation in the Region of 'Tropical forests Tourism' offered by Kepahiang is located in the 'Village Tebat Monok'. It is about 60 km from the city of Bengkulu, it can be easily achieved, because it is close to transportation routes. The area is still included in the 'protected forest area', keep distinctiveness of great value, which is one of the habitats of rare flora Amorphophallus.During the month of March to November, the area is always crowded with tourists. Visitors who come also making it an educational tour, especially the tourists who come from educational institutions.Pristine forest, would give the atmosphere of adventure, for you are the adventurous and those of you who love the outdoors.

The world's largest flower is found in many areas in Bengkulu forests, on the slopes of Bukit Barisan Mountains. The flower has a diameter of about one meter in full bloom. It has no visible root or stem, and no leaves. The weigth up to 7 kg, it takes the buds up to 8 months to mature. The flower stays in bloom from 1-15 days and can be seen during the months of September-December. Rafflesia Arnoldi is a big Flower in the worlds, if one visit Rejang Lebong, the Flower was stand at the City Center of CURUP as a monument, that is why, the people call Bengkulu is A LAND OF RAFFLESIA, or in Indonesian means BUMI RAFFLESIA, because in a certain seasons, if we are lucky, we can see a beautiful flower of Rafflesia, in the forest, which appear in periodic of 5 years or more.

Tabot Ceremony

One of the special events in this province is the Tabot Festival. Tabot ceremony is an interesting festival ceremony, which recalls the death of Hasan and Husen, the grandchildren of the Prophet Mohammed, who were killed in a fight to defend Islam. The Tabot feast is held annually, in the Islamic month of Muharram. It is known as the festival of fifty colorful towers (tabots), which are made of bamboo and decorated with colored paper. This tabot ceremony is commemorated by Bengkulu people who are descents from India benggala, performed every yera from 1 till 10 Muharram 61 Hijriah in Bengkulu City. The ceremony is held between 09.00 pm to 01.00 am.

Gold Lake / Danau Emas

Inhabited by schools of carp, this lake is located near Curup, in Rejang Lebong regency. Emas Lake means GOLD LAKE, a place for recreation. Anyhow, the place is look so nice, a lake with abundant of- Water Lily -a small Lotus flower, a small island at the center, a play ground for children, Rental boat, and many rest house, small cafe and restaurant, some villa at the slope of hill side. Many cottages have been built around the lakeside to accommodate the holiday makers.

Dendam Tak Sudah Lake

This small lake, located 8 km from Bengkulu, has been curiously named Dendam Tak Sudah (Never-ending grudge). The lake has facilities for water-skiing and boating and its surroundings feature an abundance of orchids known as Vanda hokriana. When they bloom, the lakeside transforms into a huge exotic flower garden. It’s surrounded by mountainous scenery and hosted by habitat for typical water orchid called Vanda Hookeriana (Merr), naturally a hydro parasitic plant; of natural conservation in biodiversity. This lake has been used for fishing, canoeing and other water sports facility proposed.

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