The collective memory of Batang Hari River

Fri, January 3, 2020 / 04:19 pm

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The Batang Hari River flows through Dharmasraya. Traces of the Dharmasraya kingdom can be found along the river. JP/Ramadhani
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Many large trees are found along the Batang Hari River. JP/Ramadhani
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Traditional boats, tempek, are tied to a dock. Tempek were once the main mode of transportation on the river. They have become less popular now, but are still a favorite for some. JP/Ramadhani
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Two boys swim in the shallows of the Batang Hari River. JP/Ramadhani
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Mendulang, a traditional method of gold mining. JP/Ramadhani
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Residents of Siguntur, West Sumatra, cross the river. JP/Ramadhani
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Guests visit the Padang Roco Temple at Siguntur. The temple is one of the main relics of the Dharmasraya kingdom, which reigned in Batang Hari in the 13 th century. JP/Ramadhani
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Princess Puan Aciak Sariana sits in front of the palace of King Siguntur, one of the ancient palaces in Dharmasraya still in existence. JP/Ramadhani
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Farmers cross the Batang Hari River using a ponton, an old river-crossing device. JP/Ramadhani
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A traditional house of the king of Koto Besar, one of the ancient kingdoms in Dharmasraya. JP/Ramadhani
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Jahri stands in front of her house in Siluluk, Dharmasraya. The diorama was carved in 1984 when the house was built, depicting the story of Jahri and her husband whose lives depended on the natural richness of the Batang Hari River. JP/Ramadhani

Ramadhani

The 800-kilometer-long Batang Hari River in Sumatra has seen changing times. Kings and civilizations have taken turns to rule Dharmasraya regency in West Sumatra.

People have resided alongside Batang Hari River for centuries thanks to its rich land. Bambang Budi Utomo, an archeologist of the National Archeology Research Center, says that people have lived in the upstream areas of Batang Hari since the 10 th century.

The arrival of the Singasari kingdom from East Java in Batang Hari in the 13 th century was marked as the Pamalayu expedition, with political alliances as the motive. It became evident that the Dharmasraya kingdom and its prosperity was acknowledged by the influential Singasari.

“The Batang Hari River had a great impact on the development of the Dharmasraya kingdom, whether in economic, social, cultural and political terms,” said Gusti Asnan, a professor of history at Andalas University in Padang, West Sumatra.

Today, the river still plays an important role in the lives of the Dharmasraya people, connecting places and people. It has become an identity attached to Dharmasraya, where the past, present and the future meet. (wng)