Betawi preservation project begins<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The construction of a Betawi cultural reserve
\nbegan on Friday with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by
\nGovernor Sutiyoso.<\/p>\n
The project in Srengseng Sawah subdistrict in Jagakarsa, South
\nJakarta, is part of efforts to preserve the traditions of native
\nJakartans.<\/p>\n
Costs for the project, targeted for completion in about 10
\nyears and reaching Rp 308 billion (about US$34.6 million) are
\nmostly derived from the city budget.<\/p>\n
Governor Sutiyoso said the first phase, costing Rp 1.5
\nbillion, would consist of building a meeting hall and an open
\ntheater facing the lake in the area, Situ Babakan.<\/p>\n
Representatives of Jakarta natives have repeatedly called for
\nrecognition of their heritage in the face of the capital's larger
\npopulation of migrants.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso added that a traditional Betawi house at the location
\nwould be renovated.<\/p>\n
\"Hopefully, it will be a gathering place for Betawi people in
\nthe capital, and will provide more of a chance to study and
\npreserve the indigenous culture,\" Sutiyoso said.<\/p>\n
There are about two million residents of Betawi descent in
\nJakarta, living in the city's kampongs, especially on the
\noutskirts.<\/p>\n
The 150-hectare area of Srengseng Sawah was chosen for the
\nproject due to the large population of ethnic Betawi living near
\nand around the area.<\/p>\n
The project is another effort after an earlier one in Condet,
\nEast Jakarta, among others, was abandoned, because many residents
\nsold their land, saying they needed money.<\/p>\n
Lack of funds also was a constraint in the Condet project.
\nTraditional homes could not be preserved given the high cost of
\ntimber and maintenance.<\/p>\n
The plan for the area in Srengseng, currently home to some
\n34,000 people -- half of whom are Betawi -- would also require
\nresidents to build and renovate their houses using classic Betawi
\narchitecture.<\/p>\n
Some residents in Srengseng Sawah said they had never heard of
\nthe project while others said the plan sounded \"good\".<\/p>\n
According to the head of the Jagakarsa district, H. Zainuddin
\nTohir, land appropriation for the project has covered some 35
\nhectares of area around Situ Babakan Lake, which includes four
\nsubdistricts.<\/p>\n
Residents who had either lived there or owned property,
\nincluding Betawi people, had received compensation, he said.<\/p>\n
Head of the Betawi Consultative Body (Bamus) A. Syukur said
\nthe open theater would host Betawi arts, such as Gambang Kromong
\nor the Portuguese-influenced Tanjidor musical groups.<\/p>\n
He added that festivities would be maintained along with
\nBetawi traditional clothes, such as the long kebaya and sarong.<\/p>\n
Restoring other lakes, planting and preserving local fruit
\ntrees and other plants, and building a museum is part of the
\nlong-term plan.<\/p>\n
During his visit to the settlement, Sutiyoso also handed over
\nsome 2,000 seeds of various fruit trees, 35 goats and funds to
\npoor families. (07)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/betawi-preservation-project-begins-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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