West Kalimantan Malay House: Malay Enchantment in Pontianak

Indonesian provinces having Malay cultural background, such as West Kalimantan and Riau, and other foreign countries such as Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam are working hard doing efforts to be the centre of Malay culture. Though the arrangement cannot be separated from economic and political interests, it is good news knowing the awareness of culture as significant elements in modern life have appeared. To achieve it, those provinces and countries set strategic programs requiring big fund. So, how do they explore and socialize the values of Malay culture in accordance with their physical development building? There are some interesting phenomenons to be observed relating to the programs of creating Malay culture as the main identity of those areas. The five-day journey of MelayuOnline.com crews to Pontianak, Mempawah, Sambas, Kuching, and Brunei Darussalam, observed – in a glance and even subjectively -the development of those great programs from each area.

On Thursday (February 21^st 2008), MelayuOnline.com crews departed from Yogyakarta to Jakarta then continued to Pontianak for having a meet with Majelis Adat Budaya Melayu - MABM (Malay Adat and Cultural Assembly) of West Kalimantan. The journey was intended to observe the remaining traces of Malay history in those areas. The journey was successfully done since the help of friends who spared their time for guiding MelayuOnline.com crews. MelayuOnline.com would like to deliver the deepest gratitude for Mr. H. Abang Imien Thaha, Mr. Panji Anom and his son Radin Hamzah for having the time for MelayuOnline.com.

At 2.50 p.m., MelayuOnline.com crews arranged a meeting with H. Abang Thaha, the Director of MABM, Abang Zahry Abdullah, AR. Muzammil, the third Assistant Dean of Tanjungpura University, Hermansyah (P3M STAIN Pontianak) and other staffs of MABM. That was out of mind for being welcomed by West Kalimantan functionaries. The meeting went on in a “friendly and cordial‘ atmosphere, sometimes, came out humorous talks producing laugh among the attendances. Exactly, the meeting has created a friendly and familiar psychological relationship among the attendances.

On that occasion, MABM had been ready to foster the development of MelayuOnline.com, working together to revive the glory of Malay civilization. It was clearly seen that the collective awareness of reviving Malay civilization cannot be done individually; it must be learned and performed cooperatively. By this reason, MelayuOnline.com spent the time visiting other Malay areas to build network and cooperation with other parts. In addition, the visit of MelayuOnline.com to every part of Malay areas was highly appreciated by Malay people for the same motive.

As their deep appreciation for MelayuOnline.com, some books and Local Malay dictionaries were given by H. Abang Imien Thaha and. AR. Muzammil to enrich the collection of MelayuOnline.com. They allow MelayuOnline.com to contact MABM or other relating parts if any other cases which are necessary to be performed together. The objective of MelayuOnline.com to be the largest database of Malay and Malay world in the world is not a dream anymore; gradually it comes true. So, how do Malay people in Pontianak preserve and develop Malay culture?

Its architecture is a combination of West Kalimantan Malay culture such as Pontianak, Mempawah, and Sambas that will enchant everyone‘s sight. Unfortunately, there is no information devices such as booklet, or leaflet presenting the history of the house, the functions of each part witihin, and the implicit meanings of the beautiful and detail ornaments decorated every corner of the house. Visitors who do not know the meanings of each ornament will only enjoy the beauty, detail and its luxuriousness without knowing the philosophy of every room and the ornaments used.

The wonderful design of West Kalimantan Malay House is an enchanmented scenery if it is viewed from the distance, moreover from the nearness. It was proved when MelayuOnline.com crews accompanied by H. Abang Imien Thaha and other West Kalimantan Malay figures observed the entire parts of the house. It is totally wonderfull as it uses high quality material. In the centre of the house (auditorium), seemed the shining floor, sturdy wall, wonderful carves, upward roof, lamps to shine every corner. Entirely, the architecture of the house shows the high taste of Malay Architecture.

On his brief explanation, H. Abang Imien Thaha said that the house is proposed to to be the centre of West Kalimantan Malay culture. It seems that his plans are in accordance with the physical condition of the house. The expectation of West Kalimantan Malay people to preserve and develop Malay civilization is very huge. Hopefully, the house could be the Malay cultural activities centre to bring those hopes into reality.

Observing its physical building is more than to show that West kalimantan Malay civilization is still alive, it takes the great programs of its building process. Countries having Malay cultural background are seriously doing efforts to be the center of Malay culture and history, said one of the West Kalimantan figures on that occasion. Consequently, it seems that we all are competing to build both infrastructures and devices to facilitate cultural activities in order to form Malay cultural activities centre. By that motive, it is built to encourage such intention. In addition, it may be an alternative for tourism destination either for domestic or foreign tourists. Culture and art performances are taken place in this place annually. Nevertheless, the agenda cannot attract numerous tourists, that is why, it is necessary to be encouraged by infrastructures and devices, as well as publication and promotion so that it can be the worth visiting tourism destination.

We hope that the glory of West Kalimantan Malay House can be in accordance with the benefits got by West Kalimantan Malay people. Either MABM or MelayuOnline.com has declared to help and encourage each other to bring the both‘s programs into reality. Communication and cooperation will be continually kept to reach the collective dreams, gaining the glory of Malay civilization.

When the sun was going to set, MelayuOnline.com crews asked permission for continuing the journey to other historical sites in West Kalimantan, especially historical palaces and mosques. To be continued.

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