Tulang Bawang Kingdom

1. The History

Tulang Bawang Kingdom is one of the eldest Hinduism Kingdoms in Nusantara (Indonesia). There are not many historical notes expressing facts about this kingdom. It is because when Che-Li-P‘o Chie (Crivijaya Kingdom) expanded, the reputation and the glory of Tulang Bawang Kingdom decreased and faded. According to the note of ancient Tiongkok, in the midst of fourth century, there were a Bhiksu and a visitor called Fa-Hien (337-422 C.E.) stranded and stopped by Kingdom of To-Lang P‘o-Hwang (Tulang Bawang), precisely in hinterland of Chrqse (Sumatra) when they went sailing to India and Srilangka.

Another source mentioned that there was a Tiongkok poet called I-Tsing who visited and stayed in Swarna Dwipa (Sumatera). That place was a part of Crivijaya Kingdom. At the time, he had time to see Selapon district. Then, he gave a name to that area with Tola P‘ohwang. The name of Tola P‘ohwang was taken from spelling of Sela-pun. To spell this word in the tongue of the poet, it sounded to be so-la-po-un. Generally, Chinese people came from Ke‘ area. I-Tsing, representing a new outsider from Chinese Tartar and his tongue could not spell So, hence its spelling which was familiar for him was To. So that, the word solapun or selapon was pronounced with Tola P‘ohwang. Then, from time to time the name changed to be Tolang Powang and finally became Tulang Bawang.

Crivijaya Kingdom represented a federation or alliance between Malay Kingdom and Tulang Bawang Kingdom (Lampung). At the period of Crivijaya‘s authority, the influence of Hinduism teaching was very strong. Malay people, who could not accept the teaching, stepped aside to Skala Brak. But, there were some Malay people who lived in Megalo by taking care (of) and practicing on their own culture which still existed. In the 7^th century, the name of Tola P‘ohwang was named with another name, Selampung, then recognized as Lampung.

So far, there is no one able to ascertain where the center of Tulang Bawang Kingdom resided in. A Historical expert, Dr W. Naarding, estimated that center of the Kingdom located in Way Tulang Bawang, between Menggala and Pagar Dewa. The distance was about 20 kilometers in radius from the center of Menggala city. If it is seen geographically at this time, the Kingdom located in Tulang Bawang Sub-district, Lampung Province, Indonesia.

In the 15^th century, the town of Manggala and the path of Tulang Bawang River were known as a center of commerce which grew rapidly, especially on agricultural commodity of black peppercorn. It was said, the black peppercorn price offered to the association of Dutch colonial trade or VOC (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie) was cheaper than the price offered to merchants of Banten. For the reason, this commodity was very famous in Europe. Along with the growth of epoch, Tulang Bawang River became a “Boom” dock (port) or a place where merchant ships lean from various angle of Nusantara. But, the progress story of the commodity remained as just a historical record.

Tulang Bawang Kingdom was not bequeathed to be governmental system which still developed so far. Then, the name of this kingdom became the name of Sub-Province of Tulang Bawang, but the structure and system of its governance are adapted to the growth of modern politics.

2. The Kings of the Kingdom

(In the process of data collecting).

3. The Kingdom Period

Because there are only few historical notes expressing deeper facts about Tulang Bawang Kingdom, hence the data about the period of its governmental administration are also still in the process of data collecting.

4. The Kingdom Territory

The authority of Tulang Bawang Kingdom covered regions which are known as Lampung Province now.

5. The Kingdom Structure

The data of governmental structure of Tulang Bawang Kingdom has not been got yet. On the following paragraph, it will be studied about how the government system in Tulang Bawang area was run in the period of pre-independence, when this area became part of Indies Dutch government. On November 22^nd, 1808 C.E., Lampung Kesiden was made to be under direct supervision of General Governor of Herman Wiliam by Government of Indies Dutch. This caused reorganization of custom which was later used as an appliance to draw societal sympathy. The Government of Indies Dutch under the control of General Governor of Herman Wiliam then set up a Clan Government which was led by a clan chief (Kebuayan). The region of Tulang Bawang was divided into three kebuayans, those were Buay Bulan, Buay Tegamoan, and Buay Umpu. In 1914, it was set up a new kebuayan, that was Buay Aji.

But, this system did not work a long because in 1864 C.E., it was created Pesirah governmental system based on a decision of Lampung Kesiden No. 362/12 on May 31^st, 1864 C.E. Since the time, the development of various beneficial facilities toward the interest of Dutch Indies started to be established including Tulang Bawang. When Lampung Kesiden was colonized by Japan, there were not many things changing. After Indonesia got independence, Lampung was decided to be karesidenan in the region of South Sumatra province. Besides that, there were also many things changing in Lampung governmental system. Even, when the extension of province region happened in many places in the era of autonomous area, Lampung was decided to be a region of province separated from South Sumatra province. Since the time, the status of Menggala was decided to be district of Menggala under North Lampung province authority.

The history of Sub-Province of Tulang Bawang did not simply establish with nothing happened, but through some important meeting processes among elite social figures and government representatives performed since 1972. The meeting planned to set up Lampung province to be ten sub-province/town. In 1981, then the Government of Lampung Province formed eight Ministrant Institute of Regent, what one of them is Regent of North Lampung of Menggala Region. Based on the decree of the Minister of Domestic Affairs No.821.26/502 on June 8^th, 1981, it was formed working area of South Lampung, Central Lampung, and North Lampung, Lampung Province.

Through such a long process, finally the existence of Tulang Bawang Sub-Province was decided through decree of the Minister of Domestic Affairs on March 20^th, 1997. As its following, the decision was developed in UU No. 2/1997 on Forming Area Mount II Tulang Bawang and Sub-Province Mount II Tagamus.

6. The Socio-Cultural Life     

When it was found by I-Tsing in fourth century, the life of Tulang Bawang society was still traditional. However, they could make handicraft from iron metal and make palm sugar well. In the further development, the life of Tulang Bawang society was still marked by economic activities continuing to progress. In fifteenth century, Tulang Bawang area was known as one of the commercial centers in Nusantara. At that moment, a black peppercorn commodity was an agricultural product which was exceeded. The description of socio-cultural life of other Tulang Bawang society is still in the process of data collecting. (TN/trj/30/11-07)

References :

• Kompas, 5 June 2003.
• www.lampungtengah.go.id.
• www.tulangbawang.go.id.
• www.id.wikipedia.org.

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Comment of "tulang bawang kingdom"

12 Feb 2010. Dodi NAMA ASLI RAJA-RAJA TULANG BAWANG DARI ABAD 5 SEBELUM MASEHI-15 MASEHI (DATA DARI KERATON KESEPUHAN CIREBON) TERDIRI DARI 12 RAJA-RAJA DARI ZAMAN HINDU DAN YANG KE-11 ADALAH "RIO MANGKUBUMI KAMANTAKA BUMILOKA" DAN YANG KE-12 ADALAH "SANG PRAGADEWA GRAMANTA SINDRA SISI CEKI BALAWA SINTA MADYA KAMALA BUMI" YANG MASYARAKAT PAGAR DEWA KABUPATEN TULANG BAWANG TENGAH MENGENAL DENGAN NAMA "MINAK PATI PEJURIT GELAR MINAK KEMALA BUMI" YANG KEMUDIAN MENGISLAMKAN TANAH LAMPUNG

14 Marc 2011. dwi zulhanifah g bisa d copy yaaaaa,,,,,, hemmmm,,,,,

28 Marc 2012. sultan bangsa dewa mantabs.. semoga data data yg sedang dalam pengumpula segera terhimpun dan dapat di publikasikan ke khalayak ramai sehingga sejarah dan budaya kita benar dan tetap exist.. jasmerah... bersama mari luruskan sejarah..

27 Jun 2012. agus ramadhiansyah aliyoen saya sangat senang dgn sejarah lampung sampai skrng saya pun masih mencari data data kerajaan lampung khusus nya kerajaan tulang bawang.. tolong dong diperjelas tentang kerajaan lampung yg tertua karna kerajaan lampung skala berak pun mengakui bahwa kerajaan skala berak lah yg tertua di bumi lampung ini.... tp sy meragukannya karna aksara lampung berasal dari kerajaan tulang bawang bukan dr kerajaan sekala berak..tp bagi kawan kawan yg punya data lebih lengkap dan terperinci boleh dong di bagi bagi datanya disini... tabik pun tabik tabik... WASSALAM

21 Jan 2014. Edwar Raja Mega Achmad Untuk menambah hasnah bacaan kita Sebagai info tentang kerajaan Tulang Bawang Lampung sebelum dan sesudah Islam karangan Hi. Assaih Akip bisa kunjungi di http://Tulangbawang.mestaboh.com. semoga bermanfaat

27 Nov 2014. mahendra sdsdsd

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