1. The History

The existence of Skala Brak Kingdom can be traced through its historical relics and heritages: statues, kenali, brak stone, liwa and sukau, and megalithic patterned bas-relief at around Pekon Purawiwitan Sumberjaya. This Kingdom is located in mountain slope of Pesagi, exactly in the mainland of Belalau, south of Ranau Lake (now recognized as Sub-Province of West Lampung), South Sumatra, Indonesia. This Mountain becomes a place of hermitage which is crowded since it is visited by society. The fame of the Kingdom is also marked by the existence of tambo-tambo made of bark and buff.

Sekala Beghak 1

Other ancient historical relics strengthen the evidence of the existence of the kingdom. First, the existence of a big slate in Bunuk Tuar, which is also recognized with haur kuning (liwa). This stone is 1,33 meter in height, 20 cm in width, and 50 cm in width. The writing on the stone is in Hinduism letter (Pallawa). Second, the stone of kepapang or bercangkah in Tanjung Menang Kenali. It is assumed that this stone is as a punishing place for people who break law. Third, the site of Bekhak stone in Pekon Purawiwitan Sumberjaya. Before recognizing iron tools, ancient people had recognized this stone more.

The other historical evidence is in the form of inscription. Proffessor Louis-Charles Damais, for example, has revealed the fact of Hujung Langit inscription in his book, Epigraphy and History of Nusantara (1995). The inscription, which dates 9 Margasira 919 Saka (12 November 997 CE) was found in Bawang village, between Liwa and Pesagi mountain. As it is contained in line 7, the person who released the inscription was Sri Haridewa, the name of a king in Lampung. It is assumed that the king related to Skala Brak kingdom.

Based on evidences of the historical relics, many experts of history do not argue the argumentation that the kingdom of Skala Brak really exists. Part of them are Professor Fn. Fune, Groenevelt, Rampanggilay, Van Vollenhoven, L.C Westenenk, and Hellfich. It means that Skala Brak is the original area of Lampung tribe. The people of Skala Brak migrated gradually over the years to various areas of Lampung and its surroundings.

The process of migration was based on a number of the important events. First, Tribe of Tumi has been dissipated because of the fall out of Skala Brak to the hand of Paksi Pak Skala Brak when Islamic doctrine started to come into this area. Second, process of the migration had happened as the effect of the dispute among the family. Group, which did not accept the situation decided to choose moving to other areas. Third, the earthquake had caused some of the citizen move to other places. Fourth, the existence of custom rule which made up the custom rights was inherited by the eldest son. Young men generally do not have rights. They finally decided to move to other areas hoping that they would get a better position and social status.

Disseminating Process of the tribe happened through the river stream of Komering, Semangkai, Sekampung, Seputih, Tulang Bawang, Way Umpu, Way Rarem, and Way Besai. All of the river streams are in the regional scope of Lampung at this time, except River of Komering which is included in the region of Palembang.

According to the note of the ancient Tiongkok book, which was translated into English by Groenevelt, that between 454 and 464 CE, there was a story about Kendali Empire located between Java and Cambodia. A King of Kendali, which was called also with Sapanalanlinda (no data about his real name is found yet) delivered a massanger named Taruda to Tiongkok bringing silver and gold as the present. L.C. Westenenk said that the name of Kendali of the empire could be attributed to Kenali, the district capital of Belalau.

Skala Brak Kingdom collapsed when Islamic teaching started to come into this area. According to the story written on the tambo, there were four Princes of King Pagaruyung who arrived at Skala Brak. They were Umpu Belunguh, Umpu Pernong, Umpu Berjalan Di Way, and Umpu Nyerupa. The word of Umpu is derived from the word of Ampu, as it was described in the slate of  Pagaruyung which dated 1358 A.D. Ampu Tuan is prince‘s nickname of the Pagaruyung Minangkabau Kingdom. At the time of their arrival in Skala Brak, then the four Umpus met Mulu accompanied by a person named Si Bulan. In Skala Brak, those four Umpus established an association named Paksi Pak meaning Empat Serangkai (Four Connected) or Empat Sepakat (Four agreement).

Through these four figures, Islam mission started to expand. Many residents, including Tribe of Tumi had embraced Islam. But, resident which was shy to embrace Islam decided to run away to the coastal area of Krui and then cross to Java Island. The other part moved to the area of Palembang.

The four Umpus had a big role of establishing Skala Brak Kingdom. Later, This Kingdom was divided into four regions and each of the four figures became its leader. First, Umpu Belunguh governed Belalau and its capital was Tanjung Menang. This Region was known as Paksi Buay Belunguh. Second, Umpu Pernong governed Batu Brak and its capital was Hanibung. This region was known as Paksi Buay Pernong. Third, Umpu Berjalan Di Way governed Kembahang and the area behind the Hill. Its capital was Ibu Negeri Puncak. This region was known as Paksi Buay Berjalan Di Way. Fourth, Umpu Nyerupa governed Sukau and its capital was Tapak Siring. This region was known as Paksi Buay Nyerupa. Si Bulan also got a region called Cenggiring. But, because this area was close to Paksi Buay Pernong, this area was merged with the Paksi.

The tribe of Tumi running away to the Coastal area of Krui, then occupied clans of Punggawa Five, those were Clan of Pidada, Bandar, Laai, and Way Sindi. But, unfortunately five regions of the clan of Punggawa Five could be conquered by Lemia Ralang Pantang coming from the area of Ranau Lake assisted by five punggawas of Paksi Pak Skala Brak. The Clan name of Punggawa Lima derived from the role of the five punggawas occupying the areas which had been conquered.

2. The Kings of the Kingdom

(In the process of data collecting).

3. The Kingdom Period

(In the process of data collecting).

4. The Kingdom Territory

The authority of Skala Brak Kingdom covered regions which nowadays include in the region of Lampung province, South Sumatra, Indonesia.

5. The Kingdom Structure

As it was mentioned above that governmental structure of Skala Brak Kingdom was divided to be four Paksis (Paksi Pak Skala Brak), those were Paksi of Buay Belunguh, Paksi of Buay Pernong, Paksi of Buay Bejalan Di Way, and Paksi of Buay Nyerupa. (There are no many data about this part and still in process of collecting data).

6. The Socio-Cultural Life

Initially, the flat of Skala Brak was dwelt by tribe of Tumi who embrace animism. This tribe worshipped a tree which they believed as the resting place of deities, that was Belasa Kepampang or branching jackfruit tree. These trees had two branches, one of its branches was jackfruit and another one was sebukau, a kind of rubbery wood. Idiosyncrasy of this tree was in its typical merit as antidote drug. For example, if someone was hit by its bough rubber, it could suffer from husk. But, if he was cured with its bar, then the disease would disappear because its merit as antidote drug.

After Islam coming into the region of Skala Brak Kingdom, there were many changes happened to the system of religion and belief of the local society. For example, the tree of Melasa Kepapang which became an altar of Tumi Tribe in Skala Brak Kingdom was cut away by Paksi Pak. Then the Tree was changed to become pepadun that was throne used at the time as enthronement of Saibatin, kings of Paksi Pak Skala Brak and their descendants. This Pepadun was the first pepadun which existed in Lampung. In about early 9^th century, Saibatinian people created a different numeral and letter as Letter of Lampung which was recognized as Had Lampung. Had Lampung was actually influenced by two elements, those were Pallawa and Arabic letter. Had Lampung had a close form (consanguinity) with Rencong Aceh, Rejang Bengkulu, and Bugis letter.

There were two understandings of the pepadun meaning. First, to confirm legalization or consecration that one who sits on the pepadun was a king. Second, as a place for one who complained about anything related to the Kingdom or one who was entitled to make a decision. The Pepadun function was just for kings ruling in Skala Brak Kingdom. Based on the agreement of four paksis, the pepadun was entrusted to so called Benyata to save it. He was also appointed to be a treasurer in Pekon Luas, Paksi Buay Belunguh. The position was to avoid the happening of dispute or struggling among clans of Paksi Pak Skala Brak next day on the future. One of the four umpus and his descendants could borrow the pepadun to coronate one of his descendant as a king, but after finishing using it, the pepadun had to be returned to Benyata.

In 1939 CE, it was happened a dispute among descendants of Benyata in the case of struggling the eldest generation and who was entitled to save the pepaduan after the death of Benyata. After having a custom meeting and in the affirmation of Paksi Pak Skala Brak and Keresidenan, it was decided that one who had a right to save the pepaduan was the one who had a diametrical lineage with Umpu Belunguh. The decision is still operated and effective so far.

Lampung society, including Skala Brak, hold firmly the custom and norm, both inherited verbally and through a written heritance in ancient Lampung letter. Life of the society was usually arranged with consanguinity system characterized with patrilineal in which government was arranged based on the custom (prioritizing male) in the case of livelihood system, consanguinity, and socio-cultural life. (TN/trj/31/11-07)

References :

• www.irfananshory.blogspot.com.
• www.pariwisata.lampung.go.id.
• www.id.wikipedia.org.

Photo credit :