Jakarta: On history's trail in Jakarta<\/p>\n
Susanna Tjokro, Contributor\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
---------------------------
\nINTRO: Most of us give little thought to the history on our
\ndoorstep. But you can forget those stodgy history lessons from
\nschool when you hit the pavement on a historical tour of the
\ncity.
\n--------------------------------<\/p>\n
"I never knew history could be such fun!" said a participant of a
\nSahabat Museum (Friends of Museums) cultural tour.<\/p>\n
Sure, we can go to a museum or look up an old building by
\nourselves, but we probably don't want to do it alone. Hitting
\nhistory's trail is that much better when there is a knowledgeable
\nguide on hand to put the facts in perspective, and other like-
\nminded individuals to share the experience.<\/p>\n
Sahabat Museum (Friends of Museums) and Jakarta History Museum
\nboth cater to the need to find our more about the city's past.<\/p>\n
It's an irresistible bargain for history lovers, at fees
\nranging from Rp 20,000 to Rp 50,000 per person, including a snack
\nor lunch.<\/p>\n
Jakarta History Museum charges Rp 20,000 per person (Rp 10,000
\nfor students) for its daytime Old Village Tour Program, including
\nlunch at the beautiful Kafe Museum which nestled in the east wing
\nof the museum building. It's Rp 50,000 for the evening tour, with
\ndinner at the cafe.<\/p>\n
"We do the evening tour to get rid of the spooky association
\nwith ancient buildings," said Rafael Nadapdap of the museum. "By
\nvisiting the museums after dark, hopefully people will realize
\nthat there is nothing to be frightened of."<\/p>\n
The museum also brings history alive with theatrical
\nperformances for the public, such as the reenactment of a 18th
\ncentury funeral last August.<\/p>\n
A crowd of curious Jakartans also came to see the graves of
\nthe famous, such as Olivia Marianne Raffles, the wife of Sir
\nThomas Stamford Raffles, and others who lived and died in the
\ncity, in a tour of Museum Taman Prasasti (Inscriptions Museum).<\/p>\n
Participants vary in age and come from different walks of
\nlife, but are united by their love of finding out more about the
\nway things were.<\/p>\n
Ade Purnama (Adep), a 28-year-old graduate in Dutch literature
\nfrom the University of Indonesia, set up Sahabat Museum in 2002
\nafter taking part in tours organized by the Jakarta History
\nMuseum.<\/p>\n
Many participants make some pleasant discoveries on their
\ntrips.<\/p>\n
"I was taken by surprise that my hometown has great potential
\nas a historical tour destination," said Nila Murti.<\/p>\n
Others find the tours are a great way to make new friends.<\/p>\n
Much of the popularity of the tours is due to the 10 volunteer
\nguides, who make history interesting and accessible, or, as Mei,
\na 41-year-old housewife said, it's "so funky".<\/p>\n
The growing popularity of the events was shown when Sahabat
\nMuseum and Jalan Sutra, a group of committed foodies headed by
\nwriter Bondan Winarso, held its "Heritage Food in a Heritage
\nCity" at the National Archives building at the end of August.<\/p>\n
About 1,500 people were expected to show up, but more than
\ndouble that number came to try some old-fashioned cuisine on the
\nnight.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jakarta-on-historys-trail-in-jakarta-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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