Kerkhof, Dutch Cemetery in Central City Jambi

Protected, age unKnown
In the city of Jambi, there is still a lot of historical relics that still exist, such as the tomb of the Netherlands, like in the region Makalam Bridge.

Rust hier
Peter Gerbert
Bylaard February 11, 1878
Overleden to Jambi, January 28, 1917

The words were engraved on one headstone in Permakaman Kerkhof. Not difficult to find graves, mostly filled with Dutch people since tens of years ago located in Jambi. Simply come to the Bridge Makalam city of Jambi. At the higher ground, climbed quite a few children, the tomb can be seen directly. There are dozens of tombs in the area of 0.25 hectares.

Condition very clean and well maintained cemetery. There is no grass to disturb. There’s nothing sinister and scary impression. With clear, visitors can read each description in the existing headstone. Nisan looked clean with no writing that was still clearly legible.

There is a path that was made so that visitors do not step on graves. Since 2008, the funeral was a high fence, so not just anyone can enter. At the front, overlooking the highway, there are boards with the words “Ministry of Culture and Tourism Institute for Archaeological Heritage Preservation. Dutch Graveyard (Kerkhof) Protected by Law No. 5 / 1992 on Objects of Cultural Property. ”

From the writing, can be understood why the tomb was looked very clean and well groomed. Apparently the tomb had already become one of the protected cultural heritage Archaeological Heritage Agency (BP3) Jambi.

Saman (61) is the person given the responsibility of caring for and cleaning the cemetery. “As it happens my house is beside the grave, so I am more easily care for and supervise the graves of people who are not responsible,” he said. Saman was given a monthly honorarium.

At first glance, the shape of each tomb is different. Very artistic. Unlike most grave in the city of Jambi. There are four large tombs. Each using a pole. All the tombs were made of cement is very strong. Perhaps the goal to protect the tomb from the heat and rain. “This is one characteristic of the Netherlands,” said Head of the Protection Working Group, Jambi BP3 Sane Sugianto when found in his office yesterday (20 / 1).

There are more oval shaped. Tombstone reads Japanese kanji language. In fact, several other headstone reads Mandarin. From the writing on the headstone, it is known that the tomb was very old. Nearly one hundred years. Unfortunately until now no specific details to make sure how old tomb.

What year was it made permakaman area? “We have entered into research, but until now we do not yet know the age of the tomb must have,” he said.

Although the age of the tomb is estimated that almost one hundred years, there are the families visiting the old cemetery. Even tourists often come to it accidentally. Researchers also frequently visited the tomb.

Today’s tomb Kerkhof look clean and manicured. Apparently, before the fence, the tomb is often the place people relax irresponsible. In fact, often dug graves of people who do not clear their credentials. Moreover, some Dutch tombs made large enough and colonnaded, serve as a gathering place, gamble, even drinking.

Not infrequently the tomb had become a comfortable bed. People who get drunk often fell asleep in the tomb. “Since the fathers who take care and hospitalization, there is no more idle people who are here,” said Saman, guard the tomb.

In addition, each year, many people are visiting the tomb of these derivatives. According Nurbati, wife of Saman, pilgrims usually come just before Christmas. Interestingly, the pilgrims have always come at dawn. They carry candles and pray and recite the prayer together.

“We woke up to pray Fajr, we heard from the direction of the tomb was no sound of people were singing and praying. It turns out that most of them pilgrims is the family who died, “he said. According to him, pilgrims still come each year to the present.

Head Protection Working Group, Institute for Archaeological Heritage Preservation Jambi Sugianto Waras explains, the area was frequented by the investigators. From some research, found the tomb is likely larger than the area that is now only 0.25 hectares of it.

“The possibility of Bridge Makalam until now is the location of the tomb of the Dutch cemetery. But there has been no definitive proof that states that, “he explained. The tomb is one proof that there are tens of years ago the Dutch people who reside and live in the city of Jambi. They are not just soldiers for war, but also family life and have children and grandchildren to be buried in that place.

Currently BP3 only duty is to maintain one of the cultural heritage in the city of Jambi. He also hoped that local government can make a tomb of one tourist attraction. “We only
duty to maintain it. Better local governments to develop into one of the objects of tourism, “he said. (*)

Written by Surya Elviza, Telanaipura
Thursday, January 21, 2010 11:57

Keyword: 1878, Bylaard February 11, Dutch Cemetery in Central City, hier Eat Rust, Jambi, Kerkhof, Makalam Bridge area, Objects of Cultural, Peter Gerbert, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Institute for Archaeological Heritage Preservation

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