Karebosi, Share House in Makassar\'s Zero Point
Karebosi, to the citizens of Makassar city, is more than a public space and a meeting point of people with different interests.
Karebosi, to the citizens of Makassar city, is more than a public space and a meeting point of people with different interests.
The 11.2-hectare field is like a halfway house. After running three laps, Iswar Ismail, 17, sat on a concrete seat on the north side of Karebosi Square. He breathed hard. Beads of sweat rolled down his cheeks.
Three friends joined him. They were also wet with sweat. "Every Saturday, I and my friends run here," Iswar, who lives in the district of Tallo, Makassar city, South Sulawesi, said on Saturday (10/10/2019).
He has to travel at least 30 minutes on a motorcycle to reach the sports arena. Actually, there is a park near his house, but it is small and not crowded. That afternoon, hundreds of residents ran around the three football fields at Karebosi Field. Shady trees surround the 200-meter-long and 80-meter-wide running track.
On two soccer fields, children run around kicking a soccer ball, with shouts coloring their game. Such a scene is seen every day on Karebosi Square and other public spaces and legendary landmarks in Makassar.
Karebosi is about 500 meters from Rotterdam Fort and surrounded by a number of office buildings. The square, which is the zero point of Makassar city, is a space for residents for various purposes. Karebosi is also equipped with a concrete floor plus a large stage and grandstand. Various social activities are often performed in this area, such as music concerts, exhibitions, campaigns, ceremonies and military rituals.
Karebosi is also a place for Idul Fitri prayers, which are attended by the mayor and members of the Muspida (government leaders), together with residents. On the west side there is a softball field and basketball court. There is also a motorcycle and car parking area. In addition to sports, visitors also spend time at a shopping center and food court on the north side of the square.
Long history
As a public space in the middle of the city, Karebosi has gone through a long history since Makassar was still a part of the Kingdom of Gowa. Karebosi was also one of the meeting places of the kingdoms of Gowa and Tallo, which later became the twin kingdoms of Gowa-Tallo. It continued until the Somba Opu Fortress in Gowa fell and the colonial government was established.
At that time, the seat of the colonial government was in Fort Rotterdam, not far from the Port of Makassar. Ilham Daeng Makkelo, a historian at Hasanuddin University, said that Karebosi had long been the center of various activities with different designations.
Early in the 18th century, when the Dutch East Indies Company came to power and settled in the fortress, Karebosi had not yet functioned as a public space. In the mid-18th century, when Cornelis Speelman became governor general, the Dutch began to settle outside the fort.
At that time, Karebosi became a gathering place for soldiers, for training and other reasons. "Later on, Karebosi began to be crowded around with office buildings, military barracks, offices, and others," said Ilham.
Karebosi\'s strategic position was felt in the early 20th century when the culture and needs of city residents became increasingly complex. Karebosi slowly became open space. The birthday celebration of the queen of the Netherlands, which was usually enlivened by holding night markets or public parties, was also held in Makassar.
Karebosi began to become a public space. In 1906, Makassar became an autonomous city and Karebosi remained an open space for residents. In 1915, the land began to become a soccer training ground. At least 10 clubs actively trained there.
Witness of the times
The birth of the Makassar Soccer Association (PSM), one of the oldest soccer clubs in Indonesia that is now 104 years old, which had the legendary player Ramang, cannot be separated from the existence of Karebosi.
In the square, various community activities were carried out, from trading food and selling various goods to enjoying the night market or public parties. The owners of Makassar\'s legendary culinary delights, such as the Konro and Rujak Karebosi, which are now being managed by the third generations, started their culinary businesses in the square. That is why the name Karebosi is still used even though they have opened their business in other locations.
When I was little, I was often taken to watch PSM matches in Karebosi. Around Karebosi there were many tents selling food
Arman Yunus, 75, a Makassar resident, remembered Karebosi as a place to watch PSM matches in the 1950s, as well as a night market place. "When I was little, I was often taken to watch PSM matches in Karebosi. Around Karebosi there were many tents selling food," he said.
The Makassar city government revitalized Karebosi in 2006. Various criticisms emerged. Critics feared the renovation would remove the history of the square and the people would no longer be allowed to use Karebosi as a public space.
At that time, the Makassar city government cooperated with the private sector to finance renovation. The private sector was allowed to open an underground shopping place under the right-to-use title. The city government gets income from taxes. The shopping center also creates job opportunities.
Many people opposed this. However, the mayor of Makassar at that time, Ilham Arief Sirajuddin, promised that Karebosi would be more organized and equipped with infiltration wells so it would not be flooded as before, especially when it rained. He also promised Karebosi would remain a public space equipped with sports facilities.
The pros and cons and the wave of demonstrations only stopped when residents began to see Karebosi was more organized and comfortable. Now, Karebosi is Makassar\'s famous icon. Pulling back, there is one thing that hasn\'t changed: Makassar\'s zero point remains a gathering place and a haven for anyone, not only for locals, but also tourists.