Selamat datang di bumi Sriwijaya!
In its golden era, between the 7th and 12th centuries, this province became a magnificent stage for the Sriwijaya Kingdom. Its name soared high on the archipelago as the largest and strongest maritime kingdom in Indonesia.
South Sumatra is the home of Lake Ranau, the second-largest volcanic lake in Indonesia after Lake Toba. It is also the birthplace of Pempek, a culinary delight made from fish cake that takes from in various shapes and sizes, enjoyed with a spicy and sweet vinegar sauce.
The charm of South Sumatra unfolds at TMII through its pavilion that is laden with beauty. Three traditional houses—Limas house, Ulu house, and Rakit house—serve as a stage for its cultural richness.
Limas house is used to store various cultural items of South Sumatra, such as the king’s seat (puade), traditional clothing, songket fabric, bridal decorations, ceramics, ivory, brass, and tin. The uniqueness lies in the elevated floor structure from the front towards the center, known as Kekijing. This reflects the different functions of each floor; the front floor is intended for the general public who want to meet the king or sultan, while the higher floors are used for royal officials who are meeting the king or sultan.
Ulu house, a residence for the inland people of South Sumatra, depicts its agrarian pattern with a sturdy platform to keep away from wild animals. The upper part serves as a residence, while the lower part stores various household items such as rice pounders or isaran, lesung, trays or nyiru, firewood, and duck or chicken cages.
Rakit house, a shelter on the banks of the Musi, Ogan, and Komering rivers, comes with the simplicity of wood and shingle roofs. Here, a veranda provides space for families to relax in warmth, as well as a kitchen space on the side. More than just a shelter for the community, the Rakit house also serves a dual role as a place for trading.
DID YOU KNOW?
Palembang, the capital of South Sumatra, is one of the oldest cities in Indonesia. This is revealed by the Kedukan Bukit Inscription found in 1926. In this inscription, the early traces of the Sriwijaya settlement are clearly carved, founded on June 17, 683 AD.
