A Snapshot of Batanghari Civilization

I was in Jambi at new year’s eve, visiting my maternal family. Jambi is situated in the bank of Batanghari River. Batanghari is the longest river in Sumatera island. Jambi was the original capital of Melayu (Malaya Kingdom). The ancient Hindu – Buddhist Kingdom of Sriwijaya also had its capital in Jambi at about its time. This website provides good basic historical information about Jambi. This website also features useful information about cultures of Jambi.

My relatives brought me to visit several places in Jambi so I managed to take a glimpse of Batanghari civilization. Jambi actually is pretty big. It took around 30-45 minutes to go to the city of Jambi’s border on 60km/hr average driving speed. And at the border, all I see were swamps, small ponds, and open jungle.

The city of Jambi is divided by Batanghari river, and one side is more prosperous than the other side. The less properous side (Kota Seberang, people there called it) are inhabited by indigenuous people (Melayu) and the more prosperous side are dominantly inhabited by immigrants. My Grandma told me that in the past, most people from Kota Seberang were the land owners of what is now known as the prosperous side. Most of those indigenuous people sold their lands to immigrants and then  moved to the other side of river and spend the proceeds, amongst others, for parties, autos, etc. If this is true, this probably explains why the city of Jambi (the prosperous side) is – in my opinion – soul-less.

In the city of Jambi, it seems that all you can see are shop-houses (ruko). Ruko is selling like hot cakes there. Traditional houses are very rare. Even the Municipal offices – in my opinion – are mostly adopt “modern” (define modern?) and boring architectural design. Not to mention the Vice Governor official residential which pretty much adopts a Roman-Greco style (but hey! there is Melayu engraving in the roof!). Afternoon activities? Go to shopping malls, eat KFC of A&W. Most popular foods? Pempek, which originally comes from Palembang. Popular music? “national” Dangdut which occasionally combined with house music and hard rock. Oh, sometimes it is mixed with Melayu Dangdut too.

Nevertheless, the life in Kota Seberang and near the border of Jambi city is actually pretty interesting. Some people still live in high Traditional houses to anticipate tidals from Batanghari river and the roads are usually higher than their homes. You also will find seasonal fruit sellers and in the morning, you can see the economic activities in the beaches or shallow parts of Batanghari river (yeah, that includes enjoying instant noodles and hot coffee in the middle of Batanghari river ).

These are some photos which I took (click to enlarge):

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1. tere616 says:

   January 9, 2010 at 12:36 pm

   It’s always interesting to see the other part of Indonesia. Too bad that the city has lost the soul. Love the picture especially the colorfull one.

   Reply
   • Boy says:

     January 10, 2010 at 5:46 am

     Thanks Juin

     Reply
2. christine says:

   January 9, 2010 at 4:13 pm

   Nice picture Boy.., have u been to Muaro Jambi Tample? Next time, I’ll take u there..

   Reply
   • Boy says:

     January 10, 2010 at 5:47 am

     Nope. Next time take me there

     Reply
3. iwan says:

   January 10, 2010 at 8:01 am

   Saya kasih kritikan yang pedes aja ya mas..what works and what doesn’t work.

   untuk foto orang mancing aja deh..:
   what work for me: komposisi penempatan POI.

   what does not work:
   -kakinya kepotong satu mas
   -ekspresinya nanggung mas. istilahnya kurang bercerita.

   Mungkin mundur dikit atau kamera turun anglenya karena ada space banyak diatas kepala bisa membantu.

   Angle lain yang menarik kali memotret sejajar dengan mata objek.

   Begitu poin2 aku mas. ah nikmatnya mengkritik eheheh keep shooting mas

   Reply
   • Boy says:

     January 10, 2010 at 8:06 am

     oh gitu…ok deh mas..lain kali saya bikin yang lebih baik

     Reply