TRADITIONAL CRUISE AND/ OR RIVER CRUISE: A PROPOSAL BASED ON HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL BACKGROUND

Presented by Harry Waluyo
ASEAN Cruise Working Group in Lao PDR, 23 April 2008

Background

Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia are rooted from Austronesia language groups; Viet Nam, Thai, Khmer, Myanmar, Lao are part of Mon-Khmer language groups. Those language groups are rooted from Proto-Austronesia since 5 thousand years ago.

Mon-Khmer group which is still be used in Pegu and Combodia . Vietnam and group of Thai (Thai, Shan and Lao) have ever made linguistics expert to categorize this languages as Sino Tibetan.

Sea Transportation

Relief on Borobudur walls shown that design and technology how to build boats had been found since 8 A.D (anno domini).

Spice Trade

Since the middle of the first millennium A.D. (anno domini), South-east Asian water has been crowded by cross-islands and cross-kingdoms cruise.
The peak season of cruising occurred in the era of spice trade à around 15th century.

Cruise Network

Traditional cruise network, which has been established since the era of spice trade, is still maintained in connecting one port to another in Indonesia as well as in South-east Asian land

Definition

"Traditional Cruise is a tour by using traditional motor boat which is steered by traditional sailors, cruising through traditional sea and/ or river-transportation and visiting old ports in Indonesia (archipelago) as well as other South-east Asian countries."

Map of Cruise Network

Traditional Cruise and/ or River Cruise always visited old port located in hinterland, such as Palembang with Musi River, Jambi with Batanghari River, Bangkok and Vientiane with Mekong River, and Kuching with Sarawak River.

To support program Traditional Cruise and River Cruise, it is related to historical and cultural background in South-east Asian member countries. Best example is told in the Chronicle of Malay about the journey of Parameswara from Palembang to Malay Peninsula. In the book is told that Parameswara had been gone from Palembang in South Sumatera towards Tanjungpura in West Borneo (Kalimantan) to Tumasek Island (Singapore) at the tip of Malay Peninsula then she builds Melaka.

Based on historical and cultural background in Asean member countries, Traditional Cruise and River Cruise can be traced by historical journey or napak tilas (in Bahasa) of Parameswara by three states of ASEAN member countries started from Palembang (Sumatera) - Tanjungpura (West Borneo) - Tumasek (Singapore) - Melaka (Malaysia).

Historical journey had been done by Governor of Melaka in the year 1989 when visiting Palembang by using motor sailing boat. They lift anchor at Melaka went through – Melaka Strait – Berhala Strait – Bangka Strait - Musi River in Palembang. At last they visited Bukit Siguntang which is believed as the graves of ancestors of Malay kings.

In 19 century, before the eruption of Tambora in 1815, Bima (Sumbawa, Indonesia) and Melaka has commercial relationship. At that time, Bima (Sumbawa Island) is the biggest rice exporter in Asia which is marketing port in Melaka. Therefore, historical journey can be traced started from Bima - Sumbawa - Banjarmasin - Pontianak - Singapore - Melaka.

Traditional Cruise and River Cruise could be done also between Sultanates Brunei Darussalam and Indonesia. According to History of Brunei and Descendent of Sambas kings from 17th century, Brunei - Sarawak - Sukadana – Sambas have made relationship. The authority of Sukadana and Sambas is grandchild from Sultan Muhammad Hassan which in command in Brunei in 1582-1598. During the period, inter-government relationship is connected by sea. The relationship of inter-city through sea transportation had been taken place until the entry of the colonialism to the West Borneo and Brunei. Since then the relationship decreased until finally vanish.

Now, the relation of sea transportation lines can be traced through Traditional Cruise and River Cruise between Brunei Darussalam - Kuching (Sarawak, Malaysia) - Sukadana (West Borneo, Indonesia) - Sambas (West Borneo, Indonesia). To reach the port in the towns, a ship navigates river because the ports are not along the beach of South Tiongkok and Karimata Strait.

Traditional Cruise in ASEAN countries could be done because it had been done in 1450 – 1680. There were sea transportation lines connecting Champa (Viet Nam) - Siam (Thai) - Malay Peninsula - Archipelago (Indonesia). Historical background told us some ports are meeting-point of the merchants from various empires in South-east Asia. Even not only trading, but also for social and politics like the Bugis people from South Sulawesi/ Celebes had been travelled to Malay Peninsula by sea transportation, at the end they build emporium in Sultanate Johor and Sultanate Pahang.

Based on the historical and cultural background, Indonesia would like to propose a new project to implement traditional cruise and river cruise intra-Asean member countries in the future and added information on traditional cruise and river cruise could be informed through www.cruiseasean.com.

Traditional cruise has been carried out in Eastern Indonesia by sailing boat “Phinisi” for tourist transportation. Website for Traditional Cruise has been developed by cruise operator namely Sea Safari Cruise, Anasia Cruise, Songline Cruises, and Blue Water Cruises.

Sailing Boats “Phinisi” have been designed as according to international standard for tourist journey, like cabin which full Air Condition and deck for passengers, and equipments of adequate navigation and safety, including diving equipments.

Traditional cruise always visited scenic nature and local culture in Bali and Eastern Indonesia, traditional ceremony in building Phinisi in South Sulawesi, tradition in hunting whale in Lamalera (Lembata Island, Flores), archaeological remains of Portuguese and Dutch (Banda Naira, Ambon, Ternate and Tidore), and natural beauty and diving in Raja Ampat Islands.

Source: article which is made by Bambang Budi Utomo