Kemaro Island

The story of kemaro island

Pulau kemaro
Kemaro Island, a small delta on the Musi River, is located about 3.7 mi from Ampera Bridge. Kemaro
Island is located in an industrial area, which is between Sriwijaya Fertilizer Plant and Pertamina Plaju and
Gerong River. The position of Kemaro Island is a bit to the east of the center of Palembang.

Kemaro Island has an area of ±79 Ha with a height of 5 m above sea level, in addition to having a
beautiful natural charm, Kemaro island is synonymous with chinese city and Tiong Hoa people as well as
the customs and indigenous life of Palembang people. The historical attractions on Kemaro island are
historical relics (9th floor Pagoda, Srivijayan Princess Tomb, Hok Tjing Rio Temple, Buddhist Temple, art
performances, and religious rituals, especially Tridharma people).

The history of Kemaro Island has existed since the Sriwijaya Kingdom which is closely related to the
story of the daughter of the Srivijayan king and son of the King of the Kingdom of China, from the legend
that emerged an island known as the Island ...
 Legenda

In Kemaro Island there is also the tomb of Palembang's daughter, Siti Fatimah.
According to local legend written on a stone next to Hok Tjing Rio Temple, in ancient times,
came a prince from China, named Tan Bun An, he came to Palembang to trade.

When he asked permission to the King of Palembang, he met the king's daughter Siti
Fatimah. She immediately fell in love, as did Siti Fatimah. They are in love and intend to go
to the fore. Tan Bun An took siti Fatimah to mainland China to see Tan Bun Han's parents.
After some time, they returned to Palembang.

With them were seven jars of gold. Arriving at the estuary of Musi Tan Bun Han River
would like to see the gold prizes in the jars. But what a surprise because what is seen is salted
mustard vegetables. Without a second thought he threw the urn into the sea, but the last jar
fell on the deck and broke. Turns out...
 Sejarah
During the First Palembang War and the Palembang II War throughout the early 19th
century, the Sultanate of Palembang Darussalam established one of the strongest maritime
fortresses on the land of Kemaro Island named Benteng Tambak Bayo. Kemaro Island itself
was chosen as a first-tier defensive location because the area was never submerged when the
surface of musi river was high.

While other areas are always submerged in musi river water, because most areas of
Palembang are water swamps. Kemaro Island's fortifications were key to the dutch colonial
entry into Palembang. In its various invasions, the Dutch lost many ships and men due to the
solid defense of Fort Tambak Bayo.

However, the Dutch finally managed to occupy Palembang in 1821, all the fortifications
around Keraton Kuto Gawang—now pusri territory—were destroyed by the Dutch, including
Benteng Tambak Bayo. Not even the slightest bit of the remains of the fortress building that
still stands today.
 Kemaro Island function from 1965 to 2012 is divided into four phases, among others:
kemaro island function in 1965-1967 is as a detention camp. The camp has had a series of
horrific events that have killed many tapol (political prisoners).

But the function as a camp was then lost at the end of 1967 and changed its function.
Kemaro Island function in 1968-1997 is as a place of settlement and place of worship. Since
1968 the island has been inhabited by increasing numbers of occupiers. In addition, during this
period, Kemaro Island began to be used as a place of worship. Many people have visited
Kemaro Island to pray, make pilgrimages and ask for luck. The function of Kemaro Island in
1998-2007 is as agricultural land.

The increasingly advanced population mindset, supported by the location in the middle of
the river is very supportive for the opening of agricultural land to improve the living
standards of pul residents.
Tempat Wisata
Kemaro Island's attraction is the 9-story Pagoda that rises in the middle of the island built in
2006. The pagoda is 45 meters high with a level of 5 meters each. The nine-story pagoda is meant
to be in line with the meaning of Feng Shui.

This Chinese pagoda has eight corners such as the symbol Pat Kwa or EighthTrigram. The
colors of the pagoda have bright colors in accordance with the meaning of the color symbols found
in Chinese beliefs.. Besides the pagoda there is a temple that has been around for a long time. Hok
Tjing Rio Temple or better known Kwan Im Temple was built since 1962. In front of the temple
there is the tomb of Tan Bun An (Pangeran) and Siti Fatimah (Putri) side by side.

The love story of the two of them became the legend of the formation of this island. In
addition, there is also a tree called the "Love Tree" which is symbolized as the rite of "True Love"
between two nations and two different cultures in ancient times between Siti Fatima.
 Princess Sriwijaya and Tan Bun An Pangeran from China, it is said that if a couple
engraves their name on the tree then their relationship will continue until the level of Marriage.

For this reason, this island is also referred to as Jodoh Island. Aktraksi in Kemaro Island
itself is during the annual Cap Gomeh event which coincides with the 15th day of The Lunar
New Year, where the Tiong Hoa people or indigenous people visit Kemaro Island to see the
event on that day, usually cap gomeh event itself only lasts 1-3 days.

Many attractions can be seen, namely prayer events with Chinese citizens, lantern flights
and barongsai attractions at night.