BENGKULU IN DETAIL

By Rahmat Aulani
Previously, than you very much for giving me time. In this
opportunity, I want to inform you about my hometown, Bengkulu in
detail. I hope, it can be useful information for you. If you dont know
Bengkulu, this city is in Sumatera. It is growing province among other
provinces in Indonesia. During the time of Mr. Soeharto, the second
president of the republic of Indonesia, Bengkulu was used as the main
destination for transmigrant from java. Thats why there are many
Javanese people in Bengkulu.
1.

Ancient Era of Bengkulu

In ancient era, Bengkulu was ruled by a king. The name of
Kingdom was Sungai Serut Kingdom. The origin of the king was
Majapahit Kingdom in East Java. The king had 7 children, 6 sons and
1 daughter.
The kings daughter called Gading Cempaka. During the time of
ancient Kingdom, people of Bengkulu worked as fisherman, farmers,
and carpenters. They live in stage houses near the beach. Stage houses
was used as traditional house because they presumed this home had
many advantages. The advantages of stage house can be mentioned as
follows.
1. They could monitor enemy from distant place.
2. They could save themselves from wild animals and flood
3. Stage house was very strong, so it had advantages to protect
themselves from earthquake.

2.

English colonialism Era

In 1685, Bengkulu was occupied by English people. Initially they
came to Bengkulu to find spice and peppers. However, they didnt
want to leave Bengkulu. Even, Bengkulu was occupied for 140 years.
People of Bengkulu were forced to plant spice and pepper. Beside,
local people were forced to work for the colonialism.
When Rafles became governor of Bengkulu, terrible tragedy
happened in Bengkulu. There were around750 English people died in
Bengkulu because of Malaria. Local people had to face terrible
situation in 1842. Rafles and his followers left Bengkulu. They moved
to Singapore and Bengkulu was transferred to the Dutch.

3.

Dutch Colonialism
Since 1842, Bengkulu was occupied by the Dutch. The Dutch
people practiced the death penalty for local people who refused to
work for the Dutch. Finally, people of Bengkulu had to battle against
the colonialist. Many people were killed. The Dutch people made gold
mining in Lebong. During Dutch Colonialism , people of Bengkulu
lived in poverty and stupidity. In 1942, troops of Japan could defeat
the Dutch and then, Indonesia was occupied by Japanese.

4.

Bengkulu of Today
Bengkulu has became a province, it belongs to the Republic of
Indonesia. The condition is much better. People of Bengkulu live
peacefully, although this area still stays behind other provinces.
People of Bengkulu must be proud, because Bengkulu is called as the
symbol of pluralism. How it can be, this area is inhabited by many
different ethnic group, but people of Bengkulu can live in harmony.

5.

Assets of Bengkulu
Actually, Bengkulu is rich area because it has abundant wealth.
Seen from agricultural sector
Bengkulu has palm tree plantation, coffee, rubber, rice, soybean,
and vegetables.
Seen from tourism sector
Bengkulu has too many beautiful tourism objects. Beaches,
caves waterfall, lake and many others.
Seen from mining sector
Bengkulu has gold and coal.
Seen from Industrial sector
Bengkulu has many home industries.
Seen from marine sector
Bengkulu has larege sea and abundant fish.