Betawi cultural reserve inaugurated

Betawi cultural reserve inaugurated

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso inaugurated on Saturday the
completion of the first-phase construction of a Betawi (native
Jakartan) cultural reserve in Srengseng Sawah subdistrict in the
Jagakarsa area of South Jakarta.

The first-phase of the project, which cost Rp 1.2 billion,
includes a nine-meter-wide entrance gate, a Betawi traditional
house, a guest house, and an open air theater facing the lake in
the area.

"I hope people can use the complex as a source of information
on Betawi culture," Sutiyoso said.

He called for the participation of Jakartans in the project,
saying that it was a part of the effort to preserve the
traditions of native Jakartans.

"If it's not us (residents) who take care of our kampong
(urban village), then who else will?" he asked.

The cultural reserve development in the area, which is
currently home to some 34,000 people, half of whom are Betawi
people, will also require residents to build and renovate their
houses using classic Betawi architecture.

Sutiyoso said the first phase of the project, which is funded
through the city budget, had cost some Rp 1.2 billion, which was
lower than the projected Rp 1.5 billion.

The 165-hectare area of Srengseng Sawah was chosen for the
project due to the large population of ethnic Betawi living in
and around the area.

The project is the successor to an earlier one in Condet, East
Jakarta, which was abandoned because many of the residents sold
their properties .

Lack of funds was also a constraint in the Condet project and
resulted in traditional homes not being built due to the high
price of timber and maintenance.

There are about two million Betawi people in Jakarta, living
in the city's kampongs, especially on the outskirts. (04)