Museums expose treasures of the pastAni Suswantoro, Contributor, JakartaMuseums, perhaps spots that are not very popular to hang out these days, are actually important places to observe the journey of a nation. By visiting our museums, we will recognize and appreciate our nation's history, and hopefully continue the spirit of our forefathers.
Jakarta has more than 50 museums, from the National Museum to thematic museums for traditional puppetry, stamps, textiles, transportation, energy and science, and even to a museum dedicated entirely to insects.
Museum Nasional, or the National Museum, is the most complete site to look back on Indonesia's history. Located at Jl. Merdeka Barat No. 12, Central Jakarta, its birth dates back to 1778, when Dutch scientists and collectors established an organization to promote art and science.
To accommodate this purpose, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles erected in the early 19the century a building at Jl. Majapahit No. 3. In 1862, the Dutch government decided to build a permanent facility, later known as Gedung Gadjah, or the Elephant Building, due to the bronze statue of an elephant at its front. The statue was a gift from Thailand's King Chulalongkorn.
In 1979, the building was dedicated as the National Museum by the Indonesian government.
"The collection is really extensive. You need a whole day to observe it thoroughly," commented Rita, a visitor on Sunday, Dec. 23, 2007.
The museum houses more than 109,000 pieces consisting of prehistoric relics such as the Yupa Inscription, a sample of the first recorded writing in the 5th century from Kutai, East Kalimantan.
The collection also holds archaeological, ethnographic, numismatic/heraldic and historical items. Many archaeological artefacts, such as statues of Hindu deities and temple reliefs, were influenced by Indian culture and found in East and Central Java. The 8th-century Durga Mahesasuramardhini and the 9th-century Shiva Mahadewa -- the supreme god of Shivaite-Hinduism -- and the famous 9th-century Ganesha, god of science, are a few examples.
The numismatic and heraldic collections feature coins and currencies from old Indonesian kingdoms to the colonial era and up to the independence era. Ceramics that date as far back as 206 BCE from China, as well as terracotta pieces, household utensils, ethnic houses, accessories, old weapons and textiles, complete the museum collection.
Source:
Jakarta Post
