Visitors to Lasem in Rembang regency, Central Java, may have met with Baskoro BD, 44.
By
Denty Piawai Nastitie
·5 minutes read
Visitors to Lasem in Rembang regency, Central Java, may have met with Baskoro BD, 44. The writer and preservationist often guides guests through the historical alleyways in Lasem’s old town to introduce them to its cultural wealth.
Lasem is known as Little China as it was the landing point of Chinese people on the island of Java. The city that sits on the coast of the Java Sea is also known as a city of santri (Islamic boarding school students), a batik city and a heritage city. With its lines of old Chinese-style buildings, the town used to be quiet and far away from urban commotion.
Around one decade ago, many local youths left Lasem for other cities. At the same time, Baskoro, or Mas Pop as he is often called, went back home in 2002. He was curious and wished to reveal the mysteries behind the town’s old buildings and ornaments.
His curiosity has blossomed since he was in elementary school. “At the time, I was asked by Indonesian philatelist A. Soesantio to visit his Chinese Peranakan-style house. I just sat on the verandah and did not go in. However, at the time, I was asking myself what was inside the house,” he said.
Born and raised in Rembang, Baskoro majored in broadcast journalism in the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences of the Gadjah Mada University. Arriving home from Yogyakarta, he filled his days with reading books and writing short stories. Through books borrowed from his neighbors, namely Sejarah Kawitane Wong Jowo dan Wong Kanung (1996) as well as the book Lasem Badrasanti (1985), he learned about Lasem’s heritage.
“When I read about Lasem’s history in the Badrasanti book, my head wanted to explode. I became increasingly curious,” he said.
Through years of literature study, he gained understanding about Lasem’s history, cultural and natural heritage as well as unique archeological and architectural sites. Furthermore, he also learned about how harmony and tolerance are passed down through generations in Lasem.
“After reading the books, I realized that preservation should be the source of life in Lasem. Lasem has world-class heritage objects. Locals must be able to utilize preservation activities for various purposes, including creative and economic activities,” he explained.
Narrow alleyways
Baskoro’s knowledge of literature combined with his childhood experience then encouraged him to be involved in the movement to preserve Lasem’s heritage. In 2011, he established the Rembang Heritage Society. Next, in 2012-2018, he founded the Lasem Heritage Trail, an educational-recreational initiative that is currently known as Discover Lasem. The initiative exists under the Lasem Heritage Foundation that he also established.
He invites travelers to traverse the narrow alleyways in Lasem filled with historical buildings. He accompanies them in meeting with locals of various ethnic and religious backgrounds. He explains the history and meaning of ancestral heritage objects and takes them to taste local dishes.
He aims not only to introduce Lasem to a wider audience but also to preserve Lasem’s heritage. Through these activities, locals are asked to reminisce and reconnect with local ancestral legacies.
Tales of visits to Lasem found in various digital platforms attract more visitors to the town. Baskoro ended up flooded with requests for tours. His guests include casual travelers, researchers, culture preservationists and mass media journalists.
He said that, in the beginning, only several owners of old buildings were willing to open their doors for these guests. As time went by, however, many more owners gladly received guests from out of town. House owners allow Baskoro and his guests take a look at old ornaments at their homes. “Hospitality emerges naturally. They are glad for the opportunity to meet and share past experiences with the visitors,” he said.
For instance, a house in Lasem has a decades-old painting on its walls. For years, no one knew what the painting meant.
Baskoro’s stories and interactions between house owners and guests help strengthen the local awareness to preserve Lasem’s heritage. Unfortunately, the knowledge on Lasem’s heritage remains incomplete. For instance, a house in Lasem has a decades-old painting on its walls. For years, no one knew what the painting meant.
“A guest then came and told us that it was a picture of two Peking ducks, which symbolizes loyalty. The painting was either a wedding gift or purchased by the house owner,” Baskoro said.
The arrival of guests also boosts Lasem’s heritage preservation spirit and makes way for the creative economy, including the mushrooming of accommodation and cafés promoting local uniqueness and local micro, small and medium enterprise products such as coffee and batik.
Local youths who left the town in droves have begun to return and drive the local economy through their families’ batik businesses. Some of them sell these products on digital platforms.
Baskoro BD
Born:Rembang, September 16, 1976
Education: D-3 (three-year diploma) in Communication, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Gadjah Mada University