Surabaya

Surabaya is the second largest city in Indonesia after Jakarta. The town is located in the eastern part of the island of Java is the capital city of East Java province. Surabaya is the prime trading center, industry and education for eastern Indonesia. Its area is 333,063 km2 with a population of about 3 million people.

Its coastal location is importatnt for communication with indonesia’s many islands components, and the port lies along major sea-lane from South East Asia to Australia. The city has extensive harbor facilities, including indonesia’s largest naval base.

Surabaya name is an amalgamation of the words sura (shark) and baya (crocodile). The word sura and baya  also be interpreted as mean-life of courage and danger. The literal meaning is courage in the face of danger.

Symbolization is actually drawn from the events of the battle between the forces of Raden Wijaya - on the pioneering ancient Javanese kingdom of Majapahit influential in the archipelago - an attack against the Mongols, led by Kublai Khan in 1293. Thus the historical events in time then the date of the battle of May 31 serve as the anniversary of the city of Surabaya.

Formerly, Surabaya which is located at the mouth of the river Kalimas is the port city and the main gate of the Majapahit kingdom. In further developments Surabaya become an important port and trade center of the empire in the 14th century.

Surabaya is the location geographically convenient to the colonial Dutch in the 19th century used it as a major port collection center plantation products from rural areas in the east end of the island of Java to be sent to their home country in Europe.

Historically, the heroic events to maintain homeland was recorded occurred in Surabaya. In 1945, when the allied forces (British) landed at the port of Surabaya which the goal is to disarm the defeated Japanese soldiers. But it turned out  NICA (Dutch administrative government) joined with allies that intends to re-occupy Indonesia (the Dutch recognized the independence of Indonesia in 1949).

Armed clashes between the people and the British army often occur. Clashes peak when Brigadier General A.W.S Mallaby (British military commander for Eastern Java) shot dead. Major General E.C Robert Mansergh as successor on 10 November 1945  issued ultimatum to  Indonesian parties to surrender weapons and stop fighting against the allies.

Heroes Monument

The ultimatum was waging war more devastating, because the Indonesian refused. British troops launched a large-scale attack from land, sea and air. By calculation Surabaya can be conquered in three days, turned out to be a long battle for twenty-one days with the victims of more than 20,000 fighters and civilians were killed. While  victims of the English (and Indian) are also thousands, and the British lost their generals . This is the bloodiest battles for the British army in the decade 1940.

The big mess in Surabaya which took the lives of thousands of people drives resistance throughout Indonesia to repel the invaders and defend freedom.

Then until now each on the 10th November commemorated  as the Heroes Day to honor the fallen fighters and civilians who became victims during maintaining independence in Surabaya.

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Bengkulu

Tabot Festival-Dinpar Bengkulu

Bengkulu is the 26th province of Indonesia. Located in Southwest Sumatra island. Bengkulu was once the district of South Sumatra, then in 1968 upgraded to province with Bengkulu as the capital city.

Bengkulu called Bencoolen when  the British ruled and the Dutch called Benkoolen, have an area 19 788 kilometers square with a population of 1,830,869 inhabitants (2011). 
Bengkulu province is the smallest and least populated island of Sumatra.

Bengkulu is geographically located on the tectonic plates Asia, the most active earthquake faults in the world. The massive earthquake that occurred last ten years are in 2007 at 7.9 on the Richter Scale, occurred after the year 2000 at 7.3 on the Richter Scale that caused serious damages and at least 100 people died.

Historically in Bengkulu region there were several kingdoms that once ruled there, one of which is the Selebar Kingdom. On July 12, 1685 the British to enter into agreements with kingdom Selebar. The results of the treaty is that it allows the British to build a fort and trading buildings for the benefit of the East India Company.

Then in 1685 the fort of York was established at the mouth of the River Serut (now in North Bengkulu) and since it is also the East India Company established a spice trading center with warehouses in Bengkulu city now.

Why Bengkulu? At that time the port of Banten as a British trading center in Java was taken by the Dutch. As a consequence of the defeat, East India Company is prohibited to trade there. And Java is fully controlled by the Dutch.

East India Company had come out of Java, so they have to find a place that is politically and military benefit them in the spice trade. Expedition to search for a new trading center is led by Ralph Ord and William Cowlley.

The second British fort built in the city of Bengkulu, after fortress York no longer considered habitable. Construction of the fort began in 1714 and was completed in 1719. Later the fort was named Marlborough follow the name of the British war hero the Duke of Marlborough.

It turns out then this place may not be sufficient for the East India Company to trade spice, pepper. The trading post never prifitable for the British. Then finally the British into an agreement with the Dutch.

Bengkulu became part of the Dutch East Indies since 1824 after the signing of the London agreement. Where in the agreement British surrendered Bengkulu to the Dutch exchanged Malacca and affirmation as well as Temasek (now Singapore) and the island of Belitung.

 If you go to Bengkulu, the former British presence there is more pronounced than the Dutch. Such as Marlborough fortresse - that designed looks like a turtle - still standing, although there are

Fort Marlborough-Kemensos.go.id

parts of the building that is not visible because it was destroyed by earthquakes. Or cemeteries and monuments, also five branch roads built by the British.

During the leadership of Governor-General Thomas Stanford Raffles, in 1818 discovered the amazing giant flowers Rafflesia Arnoldi. Therefore Bengkulu known as the Land of  Rafflesia. In addition there are corpse flower (amor phophallus titanum) also in Bengkulu, this beautiful flower grows in large size too, the height can reach 3 meters.

Besides British heritage, there is a unique tradition in Bengkulu called Tabot. This festival is a celebration of the series in a few days. Usually held every 10^th of Muharram (Islamic calendar) every year. Tabot is a combines of tradition Islam and culture Shia and has been held since the 15^th century.

Bengkulu is a city located on the coast of the Indian Ocean is vast as limitless. Pantai Panjang (Long Beach, 7 kilometers) is one of Bengkulu nature. There is a tourist destination in the cool highland area such as lake Dendam Tak Sudah. It have a beautiful panorama with water plants orchids Vanda hookeriana.

Legend of Aji Saka

Many say there is a young man who told originates from Majeti Land. He is a wise man beside he also have a devine power. He has an heirloom good and  a magic headband . He always wore his headband.

Aji Saka has two loyal bodyguard named Dora and Sembada.One day  Aji Saka intend to travel to the state of Java. Before he leave, he entrust his inheritance  to Sembada with the message to keep it  and do not give to anyone besides himself , Aji Saka, who take it. After giving this message, Aji Saka left him accompanied by Dora.

On the road in the state of Java, Aji Saka  met people who ran off like fear there's something that pursued them. Aji Saka stop and ask, what is going on? The man answered, they fear to killed by the monster. When Aji Saka asked again, then people say the state that Aji Saka came is Medang Kamulan, states ruled by a giant kind named Dewata Cengkar.

King Dewata Cengkar was cruel monster who love to eat human and his citizens. Every day his minister should provide a human for his meal. The people of  Medang Kamulan very frightened, and that no one dared to leave the house. Aji Saka see quiet villages as unoccupied.

Aji Saka then go to the palace of Medang Kamulan to find King Dewata Cengkar. Arriving at the palace, Aji Saka ask directly confronted the demoniac kings. Apparently when the giant is angry because his minister not find any human  for his meal.

Aji Saka then shouted to Dewata Cengkar that he was ready to replace human for his meal. Dewata Cengkar surprised. Then he asks Aji Saka seriousness. Aji Saka said, he would be eaten by the Dewata Cengkar as long as he was given parts of land that imposed by his headband.

Dewata Cengkar  laughed. But he agreed to terms that he considers trivial. Aji Saka then untie his head cover and gave the tip end to Dewata Cengkar. To measure this, the Dewata Cengkar pull the cloth while he stepped backward.

It turns out that the head cover very wide and long. Dewata Cengkar continue pulling until it encompass a wide breadth of his kingdom. In anger Dewata Cengkar continue pulling until  finally reached the edge of the southern sea (Indian Ocean), soon Aji Saka pushed him. Dewata Cengkar fall and dissappear under water of the ocean.

People are very happy because they are liberated from the evil monsters and gain new king just and wise, so that the land Medang Kamulan be peaceful and prosperous state.

After some time reigning in Medang Kamulan, Aji Saka  remember inheritance that he left to his bodyguard Sembada. Then he sent Dora went to Majeti to take his inheritance and lead to Medang Kamulan. Dora went found Sembada.

But when Dora met with Sembada, both differed credo. Sembada refused to give inheritance Aji Saka for sticking to his master message not to surrender inheritance to anyone except Aji Saka himself who take it. While Dora feel should implement Aji Saka order that his inheritance has to be brought to Medang Kamulan.

Suspicion arises between them, respectively surmise definitely want to have the inheritance Aji Saka.  Because they do not trust each other, they are battling it out to protect their master’s message.

Both day and night fighting, but because both of them have the same  supernatural power they could not beat each other. Until finally both fell down and died because the wounds.

Meanwhile in Medang Kamulan, Aji Saka awaiting the arrival of Dora his bodyguard who did not come back. To find out what really happened  Aji Saka go to Majeti Land.

Aji Saka startled, upon arrival at the destination he found two loyal bodyguards have been killed because of the fight. Aji Saka was very shock and regreting his mistake. He forgot his message, that caused that tragedy.

wikipedia

To commemorate his sadness and loyalty of both bodyguards, Aji Saka created poetry that when it read become Javanese script, Hanacaraka.

Hana caraka = two envoys
Data sawala = which is at loggerheads
Pada jayanya= both won (equally strong)
Maga batanga = these are the bodies

FACTS

There are many interpretations of the story Aji Saka. Majeti itself is touted as the place of origin of Aji Saka, the truth is not clear. Although there who believe that the Majeti is in India. He called Aji Saka because he comes from the tribe of Shaka (Aji Saka = King Shaka).

In essence, this story tells about the life of a hero who brought civilization and Hinduism / Buddhism (Dharma) to Java. This legend said that Aji Saka was creator of year (Hindu calendar) Saka. At least he was the first to use it in Java.
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