Indonesia -- a seafaring nation<\/p>\n
Arung Samudera 95: Sail Indonesia & International Fleet Review
\n Indonesian Navy Headquarters
\n PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama, 1995
\n 233 pp<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The history of Indonesia is rich in nautical
\nevents. Sea tales were spun in ancient verse, leaving little
\ndoubt of the country's sea-faring background. The sea is the
\nmajor attraction for foreign tourists who visit this archipelagic
\ncountry of over 17,000 islands.<\/p>\n
It may come as a surprise to learn also that Indonesia's
\nmaritime development can be traced as far back as the stone age
\nif the cave paintings of pre-historic times discovered in South
\nSulawesi are anything to go by. We also have the stone reliefs on
\nthe walls of the 8th century Borobudur temple in Central Java,
\ndepicting tall ships.<\/p>\n
In Arung Samudera '95: Sail Indonesia & International Fleet
\nReview, the Borobudur ocean scenes are seen to feature three
\ntypes of vessels: round canoes, giant tall ships, and huge
\noutriggers. The largest among them had two masts, with helm and
\nstern slanted up. The masts, angled forward, strongly resemble
\nArabian sailboats. In ancient times the mainsails were square and
\nthe stern had to make do with a triangular jib mast.<\/p>\n
The country's maritime history is documented also in Chinese
\ntales praising the exotic wares brought by Indonesian ships to
\nsouthern China. It is said also that Indonesian products were
\nwell-known in Roman and Greek times.<\/p>\n
The size of these ancient boats suggest that they were built
\nto withstand rough treatment. Foreign writers like Adrian
\nHorridge, who has researched Indonesian boats extensively, came
\nto the conclusion that "the Borobudur ships were fighting ships."<\/p>\n
In connection with the country's 50th anniversary last year,
\nthe Indonesian Navy held Arung Samudera '95, the country's first
\nglobal event featuring tall ships from several sea-faring
\ncountries. It was a huge success. Assembled were 19 tall ships
\nand 112 yachts from 21 countries, and 41 warships from various
\ncountries, together with 39 Indonesian warships.<\/p>\n
The event saw two major events: Sail Indonesia and Fleet
\nReview. In the first, Sail Indonesia, tall ships and yachts were
\nraced from Benoa in Bali, to Tanjung Priok in Jakarta, while in
\nFleet Review, warships from friendly countries and the host
\ncountry were on display.<\/p>\n
Besides commemorating a historical event, Arung Samudera '95
\nwas held to boost the seafaring spirit of the Indonesian people,
\nto keep an age-old tradition alive.<\/p>\n
It is a pity that this event could not be attended by every
\nIndonesian citizen. This book, officially launched lst month,
\ntries to right this wrong.<\/p>\n
This is not a boring, technical book. It tells of the rich
\nnautical history of Indonesia, a fascinating story.<\/p>\n
Readers are given the opportunity to zoom in on every aspect
\nof the international race, and see the action at close quarters
\nin photographs.<\/p>\n
Is it any wonder that Indonesia is actively promoting package
\nsea tours? This book shows why, and reminds us also that our
\nforefathers were an invincible breed who genuinely loved the sea.<\/p>\n
-- Ariobimo Nusantara<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-a-seafaring-nation-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }