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How did 'Glodok' get its name?
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Glodok in July 2015 (Shutterstock/AsiaTravel)
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lodok is popular for two reasons: its popularity among gadget lovers as a top destination to shop for electronics and the fact that it is the capital city's Chinatown. But, do you know how it got its name?
A tour guide from Jakarta Food Adventure, Adjie, shared that the name "glodok" can be traced back to colonial times. Back then, when Fatahillah Museum was still regarded as the Jakarta City Hall, many people got water from a fountain in front of it.
(Read also: Bringing back cultural history in Glodok)
“When the water mill turned, it made the sound "glodok, glodok". So, people started to call the area Glodok. And there is a place called Pancoran near Glodok. Actually, Pancoran was the nickname of the water fountain,” said Adjie on Sunday as quoted by kompas.com. In Indonesian, fountain can be translated as air mancur or pancuran.
Adjie added that back then, people often named an area based on its nickname or condition. He mentioned other examples, such as Jl. Pintu Besar (Big Doors) and Jl. Pintu Kecil (Small Doors).
“Back then, Batavia was surrounded with fortresses with big and small doors," he said. (kes)
