Singkawang

Singkawang is a city in the Indonesian province of West Kalimantan, Indonesia. Singkawang is located about 145 km north of Pontianak, the provincial capital, and is surrounded by the mountains Pasi, Poteng and Sakok.

Population

Singkawang's population is about 170,000 residents, of which 45% are Chinese descent, 29% are Melayu, 9% Dayak, 10% Madurese,7% are Batak, Javanese and other ethnicities.

Besides the national language of Indonesia, the Chinese dialect of Hakka is commonly used by the general population, including the non-Chinese ethnic groups. Each of the larger groups, such as Melayu and Dayak, use their own dialects, so an average educated person speaks three languages.

The distribution of the religion practically follows the distribution of the ethnic groups; the largest groups are Buddhist/Confusius,Protestant, Islam, and Catholics.

History

From the middle of the 18th century the Chinese governed trading in the city.

The 1999 conflict

From the early to mid ninenties, the population of Singkawang experienced a growth mainly from Madurese, of the island of Madura, right north of Java. As the rest of the population of Borneo, the people of Singkawang are extremely friendly, and when the Madurese arrived with no belongings and nowhere to live, they were given permission to stay in any spare place like people's front yard. As timed passed, the Madurese got accustomed to the local hospitality, offering nothing in return but rude comments. Soon they started to treat the small pieces of land they were lent as their own, in addition to getting into robbery, pity crimes and extorsion. As one local policeman said: "They started to behave like mobsters." Soon, they were driven out of the city, many of them staying in the beach of Pasir Panjang.

The tension culminated in may of 1999, when the Dayak and the Malayu population of Singkawang took the matter into own hands and drove off the Madurese for good from Pasir Panjang in a bloody battle. The local police could not interfere as they didn't have enough forces to divide the crowds apart.

Since the battle on Pasir Panjang the tension between the ethnicities has disappeared in Singkawang.

In Sambas, a similar occurred leaving no Madurese in the city and its surroundings.

City of Thousand Temples

Singkawang also famous with the name City of Thousand Temples as so many temples in the city and its surrounding. Nearly every god and goddess in Chinese Mythology are worshipped here. People also worshipped popular historical figure like General Guan Gong, Admiral Zheng He, even Emperor Sung Tai-zu also found worshipped in the temple outside the city to the North. In Indonesia very rare temple worshipping Emperor Song Tai-zu.

Food

Chinese food Hakka style dominated the food stalls or small restaurant, but Teo Chew style is also available. Minang style food can also be found here. Unique food like "Rujak Ju Hie" (rojak with dried squid) is one of delicacy in Singkawang. Tofu (beancurd) Singkawang is famous in West Kalimantan, also "Kembang Tahu soup" (silky smooth tofu in sugar gravy) is a popular food in Singkawang.Singkawang is also famous for its cakes. The variety of cakes are surprising and available from early morning till midnight.Kopi Tiam (local cafe) with strong bitter robusta coffee can be found every where.Peaceful and safe for everyone make Singkawang one of the city with lively night. One may enjoy various food in "Pasar Hongkong" from porridge, kwetiau, nasi goreng, nasi lemak, rujak (fruit & vegetables salad), cakes coffee stall. And the prices of the food are surpricingly cheap. Local people enjoy the night with their friends discussing the local hottest issue , singing or playing cards.

TRANSTV Wisata Kuliner

TransTV's culinary program "wisata kuliner" ever visit one of the Chinese food restaurant "Hengki" @ Jl Sejahtera for the oyster omelet meal. As usual, Bondan Winarno, commented this meal as "Maknyuss" means, excellent or delicious.

Indonesian Chinatown

Beside it's well known alias, the city of thousands temple as you can find any small to large temple from any corner of Singkawang region. Singkawang is also known as one of the Indonesian Chinatown despite of the majority ethnic is Chinese descent, consist of mostly hakka, teow-chew, hokkian, hainan and some other sub ethnic of Chinese. They still practice their culture in any ceremony or official events, from wedding to funeral ceremony . The culture seen as closest to the original tradition of Chinese people ( mostly refers to fujian's ) Making Singkawang known as the Indonesian Chinatown

Radio station

Bomantara is one of the famous Radio broadcaster which Singkawang people really love to go there only for singing, by singing the Singkawang people feel entertained by themselves. They can sing their song in the Radio and being heard by all of the radio listeners in Singkawang by paying Rp 5.000,- / song they would like to sing.It is unique, because we pay to be heard by other listener.Cleanup|date=November 2007

Languages

Singkawang people use Indonesian as the primary language in conversation, trading etc but also using their own mother tongue. As Singkawang consist of 3 major ethnics, Chinese, Melayu and Dayak and Hakka Chinese is the most among all, then almost all of the Singkawang people use Hakka for conversation beside Indonesian, even some parts of the other ethnic people can use it too. The Indonesian used in Singkawang is not a pure Indonesian, but added with a bit melayu style of the vocabulary

Festivals

* Cap Go Meh is celebrated at days 15th days after Chinese New Year;
* May: Gawai Dayak Naik Dango is celebrated by the Dayak in the opening of the rice harvest to thank the Gods;
* June 1: Ngabayotn is celebrated by the Dayak people to celebrate the closing form of rice harvest and beginning of the cultivation season;
* August: Wayang Gantung;
* August 15th: Karnaval Augustus celebrates Indonesian Independence day;
* October: Singkawang 10km running contest is held on Singkawang's anniversary;
* October: Dragon Cup soccer championship gathers the clubs from the surrounding districts to celebrate Singkawang's anniversary;
* October: Pawai Takbir;
* Festival Bedug on Idul Adha day;
* Karnaval Muharram celebrates Islamic new year;

Around Singkawang

Places of interest around the city are:
* Bukit Bougenville, a botanical garden about 6km south of Singkawang;
* Chidayu Indah, is a similar garden to that of Bougenville, and lies right next to it;
* Pasir Panjang beach resort about 17 km south of Singkawang;
* Sungai Hangmoy, a river used for bathing mainly by the Hakka Chinese population;
* Kawasan Wisata, a white sand beach 8 km south of Singkawang;
* Teradai Indah, only 2 km south of Singkawang lies an artificial lake used for recreation by the locals;
* Vihara Chikung, the largest Taoist temple in the area, funded by Singaporeans, is only 3 km south of the city;
* Gunung Roban, only 4 km from the city centre into the eastern part of Singkawang, lies a tiled path up the mountain used by the locals for easy hiking.
* Batu Belimbing, or Starfruit Rock, lies 8 km east of the city;
* Gunung Poteng is one of the main water resources for the city, and lies 7km east. The mountain is a Natural Reserve where unique flora such as the Tuan Mudae Rafflesia grows.