aQiem's Blog Net

Cempaka Traditional Diamond Mining

Martapura diamond mining.Cempaka is a small village near Martapura, and 45 kilometres from Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo). The village is an old site of traditional diamond mining, using very basic equipment for digging and selecting the valuable stones. The diamonds are found in gravel and muddy sediments at depths of about 10 meters. The miners dig in groups of 10 to 20 people, using baskets to haul up mud, stones and clay. When a pit is dug to the correct depth, horizontal tunnels are then dug to the sides. The collected sediments are washed in conical wooden bowls which are swirled around. By using this traditional method the lighter material is collected towards the outside edge of the bowl, while the heavier diamonds collect at the bottom..Martapura diamonds have been praised for their excellent quality, brilliance and colour variety trough out centuries. For 3 centuries Borneo was controlled by the Dutch. During the 18th century, the Dutch annually produced approximately 50,000 carats of rough Borneo diamonds. After this period the area was controlled by the indigenous Dayak tribe. These days most of the diamond digging is done by local people. Most of the workers are members of the Banjar and Dayak (former headhunters) tribe. Every dig hole is owned by a landlord, who gets 20 percent of the earnings of the finds. 10 percent of the earnings goes to the owner of the equipment and 70 percent is divided between the diggers. This method of payment dates back centuries. .In 1985 a large raw diamond of 116.7 carats was found. Apart from diamonds, other gems and valuable stones are found in this area. Topaz, emerald, amethyst and even gold and fossils find their way to the market of Martapura, which is also well known for its gem polishing..Religion an mysticism is a part of everyday life of the diggers. This also influences the work of the diggers. Several rituals are performed for good luck, safety and rich findings. The first diamond.

Sasirangan, Is a Beautiful Motif From Banjar

Batik is historically derived from ancestors, known since the seventeenth century, written and painted on palm leaves. At the moment motif batik pattern is still dominated by forms of animals and plants. But in its development history of batik have evolved, from painting motifs of animals and plants gradually turn to the abstract patterns that resemble a cloud, temple reliefs, wayang beber and so forth. Furthermore, through the merger of the painting with the art of decorating style clothing, batik art show as we know it today.

The type and style of traditional batik quite so much, but the patterns and variations in accordance with the philosophy and culture of each region are very diverse. Indonesia's cultural treasures so rich nation has been driving styles and types of batik tradisioanal with the characteristics of specialty themselves.

In every region in Indonesia, batik fabric has its own uniqueness with different patterns and motifs. Well, in Banjarmasin South Borneo batik cloth known as "Sasirangan". Motifs typical of South Kalimantan is often used by all levels of society, ranging from economy class middle class, upper class to class for different occasions.

There are at least a dozen kinds Sasirangan a popular motif used by the local community. Among motives Sarigading, Dragon Balimbur, Kambang King, Star Bahambur, Leaf Jaruju, Iris Pudak, Kembang Kacang, Waves Sinapur Reefs and Scales Tanggiling. Batik motif is tailored to the type of fabric used, like cotton, mori, polyester and silk fabric.

Making batik Sasirangan not required special equipment, simply by hand just to get a motive or a specific style, namely through hand stitching techniques and commitments made with puncture technique baste then tied rope and then dyed.

Sasirangan Batik can be used in various occasions. Can be used for everyday activities or attending a wedding or other formal events. Diverse and striking pattern will add a beautiful and lovely wearer.

Soto Banjar Is a Traditional Spicy Soup of South Borneo

Banjarmasin Or Banjar is the capital of South Borneo, Indonesia. A famous local dish is South Borneo Spicy Soup (soto Banjar). Soto Banjar is a traditional spicy soup of Banjar, with the main ingredient is chicken and aromatic spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. This Soup contains shredded chicken meat, serve with potato cake, boiled eggs, and rice cake.

Ingredients :

1 whole chicken. Cut into 4 parts
2 liters water
250 cc fresh milk
¼ nutmeg
10 cm cinnamon
2 cloves
Salt to taste

Puree Spices into pasta :

8 shallots
5 garlics
1 teaspoon seed pepper
Oil

Instructions :

Put 2 liter water, chicken and salte to taste into the pan. Boil chicken until tender
Lift, take off the chicken meat from the bone. Shred the meat. Leave the chicken broth about 1 ¾ liter.
Saute the spicy pasta until fragrant, then enter it into the chicken broth.
Add cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, cook until boiling.
Add fresh milk, stir well slowly until boiling.

Note :
Soto Banjar usually served with some supplementary ingredients:
• 12 pieces potato cake
• 100 g vermicelli soaked in hot water until soft, drained
• 6 boiled eggs, cut into 2 parts each
• 4 tablespoons fried shallots
• 2 spring union, thinly sliced
• 1 stalk celery, thinly sliced
• sweet soy sauce to taste
• lime juice
• chilli sauce

The Land of a Thousand Rivers

South Borneo lies at the southern end the island and is one of four provinces on Borneo.

This region is known as the “Land of A Thousand Rivers.”

Big and small rivers, wide swaps and lowlands are characteristics of this southern province. Some of those rivers, such as the Barito, Martapura and Negara mark the boundary between South Borneo and the neighboring province of Central Borneo.

The eastern regions are grown with dense tropical rain forests and covered mountainous sparsely inhabited territory. The southern region is a coastal plain, lined by vast mangrove forests. This coastal area is rich in fresh and salt-water fishes.

Those three regions are practically separated from each other by the Meratus mountain which spread from the north to the south through the center of the province. Many, village, plantations lie along the Barito river

Big and small rivers, wide

Swamps and lowlands are

Characteristics of this southern province.

Course, which runs from the north to the south

The Barito River

The provincial capital is Banjarmasin.

Like most other regions in Indonesia, South Borneo has two seasons, a dry and a rainy. The rainy season lasts from October to April, and dry season from May to September. The average monthly temperature is between 25^o and 28^o centigrade.

The average sunshine is about 36 percent during the rainy season, and 91 percent during the dry.

South Borneo covers an area of about 37,000 square kilometers and has a population of about three million according to an official count made in 1988.

The province is divided into nine regencies: Banjar (capital Martapura), Baritokuala (Marabahan), Hulu Sungai Selatan (Kandangan), Baru (Kotabaru), Hulu Sungai Tengah (Berabai), Hulu Sungai Utara (Amuntai), Tabalong (Tanjung), Taanah Laut (Pelaihari), Tapin (Rantau), plus the township of Banjarbaru.

The population of South Kalimantan consists of two main groups: the Banjar who live along the coasts and make up the majority, and the Dayaks who inhabit the upstream regions of the rivers. There are also a small number of newcomers. The Banjar, again, are divided

The Banjar, again, are divided into several sub-groups, such as the Banjar Kuala, Banjar Pahuluan, Banjar Batang Banyu, Berangas, Bakumpai, Maanyan, Abal, Denyah, Lawangan, and Bukit.

Into several sub groups, such as the Banjar Kuala, Banjar Pahuluan, Banjar Batang Banyu, Berangas, Bakumpai, Maanyan, Abal, Denyah, Lawangan and Bukit. Among the newcomers are Bugis, Javanese, Chinese, Madurans, Banjau and Mandarese. The over-whelming majority of the population are Moslems (98 percent). Others are Catholics, Protestants, Hindus, Buddhists, and adherents of the old indigenous belief of Kaharingan.

The Banjar people are devout Moslems. They are friendly, like to help one another, and have a good sense of humor. They also are tolerant of other religions and respect one another.

The friendly attitude of the Banjar, and their hospitality, tend to put visitors immediately felt at home in their midst. The daily languages spoken by the Banjar people are basically Malay and Indonesian although in a distinct local dialect.

Floating Market – Unique Market from Borneo Island

A Spanish women backpacker once told me that floating market is one of the most unique tourist objects in Indonesia. It's located in Banjarmasin city, South Kalimantan. There are 2 location of floating market. First is in Kuin, Barito River and second is in Lok Baintan village.

Local said that Lok Baintan's floating market is the first floating market in South Kalimantan. To get there, tourist can use klotok (motorize wooden boat) from Banjarmasin for about 1 hour. Or by cars and motorcycle for 20 minutes.

But the best way to see this unique market is by klotok. In the location, tourist can see the local farmers and traders making transaction on the river. Commonly, they sold fruits and vegetables. The farmers sold their fruits and vegetables to the traders and then the traders sold that product to the village by small wooden boat.

The market is open from 05.00 until 07.00 AM. Beside that, tourist can enjoy the trip along the Martapura River and see how local peoples lives in the river. It's an interesting object!