Celebrating the Presence of Immigrants in Palangka Raya
The city of Palangka Raya is famous for its warm, friendly people. Immigrants from anywhere are warmly welcomed.
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Agus (23) is serving a customer who is buying martabak in Palangka Raya city, Central Kalimantan, on Thursday (18/4/2024). He has only been living in Palangka Raya for a month in search of a living, away from his hometown in Central Java.
After Ramadan, Eid has been celebrated. In the diaspora, those who came back to their hometowns are struggling again. However, for some people, this year could be their first experience exploring foreign lands.
In Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan, the story is also celebrated. For hard workers, this city not only offers many life choices, but also the warmth of its people.
This year, one of those who came to seek his fortune is Agus (23) from Purwokerto, Central Java. About a month ago, during Ramadan, he was invited by one of his relatives. Agus's ability to make martabak or terang bulan (a type of sweet pancake) is his attraction.
"According to him, just come here (Palangka Raya), there are many buyers of (martabak)," said Agus as he recalled his conversation with his relative on Thursday (18/4/2024).
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The tempting offer comes amidst the increasingly fierce competition in making martabak on the island of Java. Agus then uses the rest of his savings for transportation costs to Palangka Raya.
From his residence, Agus arrived on the island of Borneo in Sampit City, East Kotawaringin, after a 30-hour journey by land and sea. He then needed another five hours of land travel to reach Palangka Raya.
It didn't take long for Agus to rely on his skills. He was trusted to sell on Rajawali street, Palangka Raya. In a day's work, he earned a net income of Rp 100,000. The cost of food and cigarettes is the responsibility of his relatives.
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Illustration. Palangka Raya is one of the few cities in Indonesia that was built from scratch after independence.
So far, Agus is comfortable. It is not difficult for him to live in Palangka Raya. For example, in just one week of work, he already has loyal customers. He is confident that his delicious martabak will always bring customers back.
Not only do they subscribe, they become friends. Agus was even invited to open his own martabak business.
"He's originally from Kuala Kurun, Gunung Mas. He said, if I want to start my own business, I can get paid twice as much as here," said Agus.
However, Agus could not accept this offer. He was not feeling well because he had just worked.
"Maybe next year, when I have the capital, I will open it myself," he said.
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Deni Irmanto (32), a vegetable farmer from Kalampangan in Palangka Raya City, was preparing the vegetables he harvested from his own garden behind his house on Wednesday (24/1/2024) last week.
If Agus has only been there for a month, Dewi Kartika (40), a woman from Bandung, West Java, has already felt the warmth of Palangka Raya for the past 15 years. One of the things remembered by the coffee shop owner is the kindness of the landlord of the rental house where she first started her business in Palangka Raya.
"For two months I stayed for free in the Kereng Bangkirai area. It was only in the third month that I could pay, and even then, I could only pay as much as I could," said Dewi.
Dewi is now better known as acil teteh. Acil in the local language means aunt. Apart from meaning older sister in Sundanese,tetehis also often interpreted as aunt. Residents deliberately used the word teteh because Dewi comes from Bandung.
The presence of new business units in Palangka Raya is dominated by newcomers. This can be a sign of development progress as well as a motivation for residents to read business opportunities.
Sutarno, Dewi's husband, also has the title "darling". The man from East Java is called uncle or amang. This term is usually applied to those who trade in Palangka Raya City, even in other cities in Central Kalimantan.
For over a decade in Palangka Raya, Dewi and Sutarno felt very welcomed. They paid no attention to any negative comments about Kalimantan land. She remembered when some relatives once forbade her from traveling to Kalimantan. The Sampit conflict in 2001 was the trigger.
"That was before, now people are smart, there's no such thing anymore," said Sutarno.
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Vegetable uncle or vegetable seller who entered Kalumpang Village, Kapuas, Central Kalimantan, Tuesday (19/7/2022).
The concern has also crossed the mind of Ahmadi (41), a roaming vegetable seller who is often called "uncle vegetables". However, now he doubts that the conflict in the past will happen again. He admits that he has lived there before the Sampit conflict and feels that he has always been protected by the surrounding residents of his place of residence.
"Here, the tolerance is good. Even during Eid al-Fitr, non-Muslims come to visit each other's houses," said Ahmadi, who was repairing street lamps with his neighbor on Simpei Karuhei Street, Jekan Raya District when met on Sunday (14/4/2024).
Acting Mayor of Palangka Raya, Hera Nugrahayu, once again reminded about the importance of community friendship at a community event on Tuesday (April 16, 2024). Hera urged the community of Palangka Raya to continue strengthening their bond of togetherness.
"I invite the community of Palangka Raya city to make use of the Eid al-Fitr moment to strengthen our bonds of friendship, while upholding the philosophy of Huma Betang," he said.
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The residents of the traditional Dayak longhouse known as betang Toyoi were seen chatting at the front door of their house in Tumbang Melahoi Village, Gunung Mas Regency, Central Kalimantan on Thursday (16/5/2017).
Hera explained that the philosophy of Huma Betang or Dayak Longhouse has a high value of diversity and diversity. The Dayak people have been living in one long house since ancient times.
There were several families living together. Even though they have their own interests, the residents can live in harmony with all their differences.
In the article "Integrity of Life in Rumah Panjang" in the daily Kompas, 18 August 2018, the unity and spirit of brotherhood is maintained in Rumah Panjang. This solidarity, for example, was reflected when they built Rumah Panjang, which took five years.
The strength of tradition is also reflected in decision-making. In meetings, a new decision will only be taken after all members agree. If one disagrees, a solution will be sought until everyone agrees.
Despite living in the Long House, they do not isolate themselves. In their social lives, they are open to outsiders. Anyone who comes to the Long House will be warmly welcomed and treated with the same friendship as a sibling.
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The traditional longhouse, or Betang, of the Dayak tribe in Kubung Village, Delang, Lamandau Regency, Central Kalimantan, is slightly different from other Betangs. Its roof, which combines with the Minang tribe's style, resembles that of a Rumah Gadang.
According to Hera, the noble philosophy of Rumah Panjang has helped make the city of Palangka Raya and Central Kalimantan a home for all people from various backgrounds. In Palangka Raya City, the values of tolerance in religion have been proven by supporting each other in respecting all differences.
"For example, during the implementation of Ramadan Safari and Christmas Safari which are regular agendas of the Palangka Raya City Government, there is strengthening for each community that celebrates," said Hera.
Development
The diversity and open-heartedness of the community in welcoming newcomers are believed to contribute to the development of Palangka Raya. A local economic observer from Palangka Raya University, Fitria Husnatarina, sees the presence of immigrants as a positive thing for the local residents. One of the benefits is the ability to recognize economic opportunities.
"The presence of new business units in Palangka Raya is dominated by newcomers. This can be a sign of development progress as well as motivation for residents to read business opportunities," he said.
The contribution of migrants, according to Fitria, also needs to be seen as a form of harmonization. Those who have lived here for decades and those who are newly accepted are welcomed warmly.
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"Harmony between residents is also a sign of economic development and development," he said.
The friendship between immigrants and local residents is a major asset for Palangka Raya to continue to develop. When it is maintained, their spirits will mutually boost each other.
