Historical Dieng into potato field

Historical Dieng into potato field

Agus Maryono and Mamock Ng, The Jakarta Post, Banjarnegara, Central Java

Known for its natural beauty, the Dieng Plateau is popular with
domestic and foreign tourists. Located in Banjarnegara and
Wonosobo regencies in Central Java, the site is also home to
ancient temples.

But in the last four years, the Banjarnegara administration
running the archeological site has faced a new problem: hundreds
of local farmers rushing to the site to transform it into potato
plantations. The farmers have ignored all warnings placed around
the site, or officials who have tried to prevent them from
ruining the historical site.

A Dieng Kulon resident, Achmadi, said he was only following
what other residents did.

"I watch that day by day, many people turn the site into
plantations. I just follow what they do," said Achmadi, one of
the farmers.

He said he knew it was prohibited to turn the site into
plantations. "But because many people do it, I think it's ok now,
so I just follow," said Achmadi, adding there was now around 100
farmers growing potatoes in the site.

Another resident, Mulyadi, 50, even directly asked the local
government to allow farmers to grow plants in the historical
site. He found it's much better to transform the "neglected" plot
of land to plantations which benefited many people.

"Besides, we don't harm the temples or the statues. Let us
grow potatoes to support our lives," Mulyadi said.

Some farmers even went further in their demands, threatening
to ruin the temples if the authorities stopped them.

"We also want a comfortable life. When will we, the poor, have
the opportunity to enjoy our lives if we don't even own plots of
land. This land belongs to the government so it's for the
people," said Sukardi, 43, another farmer.

The name of Dieng, according to Dutch historian Dr. JLA.
Brandes, came from Di-Hyang. Hyang usually refers to something
divine. The name might be given since the site houses temples
where religious rituals were performed.

The Dieng archeological site itself covered an area of more
than 100 hectares in Sept. 6, 1937. It has several temples in
several locations surrounded by two hills called Panggonan and
Bukti Perahu. But now, about 50 percent of the area has been
converted into potato plantation. In the end, the temples are in
ruin and some archeological objects are missing.

Most of the temples in the site, which are located in three
main complexes, are named after characters in the Mahabrata epic
like Arjuna Temple, Srikandi Temple and Semar Temple.

Surrounding the temples one can also see several statues
called Nandi, Durga and Ganesha. Some of the statues are in poor
shape due to the lack of care and as the result of looting.

The temples, from its architecture style, are estimated to
come from the Cailendra time around the 8th or 9th century. This
is based from a script found behind Arjuna temple.

Unfortunately, the Banjarnegara administration seems helpless
in dealing with these farmers. They continue growing potatoes
although there have been dialogs with the farmers and residents,
or placed more warnings at the site.

Banjarnegara Regent Djasri ST recently complained to President
Megawati Soekarnoputri about the problem, but has had no
response.

One of the local administration's efforts to prevent further
damage was, in cooperation with the local preservation of
historical and archeological sites office, to set up rent fees
for the land used by the farmers. It was hoped that under the
system the farmers would not further use the land or get in deep
into the historical site. The system failed and the farmers keep
on growing potatoes.

According to head of Central Java's preservation of historical
and archeological office, Haryadi, the looting violates Law No.
5/1992 article 15 sub-article 1 on prohibition to destroy
historical objects.

"If the law is implemented, the farmers might get 10 years in
jail or fine of Rp 100 million," he said.