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South Sumatra

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South Sumatra is a large province located in the southeast of Sumatra island in Indonesia.

South Sumatra in Indonesia
South Sumatra in Indonesia

It is the largest province on the island of Sumatra. The province covers an area of 86,771.68 square kilometers. This makes it slightly smaller than the U.S. state of Maine or the country of Portugal. The capital and largest city is Palembang. This city sits within territory that was once managed by the Palembang Sultanate. The province shares land borders with Jambi to the north, Bengkulu to the west, and Lampung to the south. To the east, the Bangka Strait separates the province from the Bangka Belitung Islands.

Srivijayan Expansion
Srivijayan Expansion

The region is rich in various natural resources. These include petroleum, natural gas, and coal. Many different ethnic groups live in the province. The Palembangese are the largest group. Other groups include the Javanese, Sundanese, Minangkabau, and Chinese. Most people live in busy urban areas. Many of these residents are immigrants from other parts of Indonesia. Most people speak the Palembang language. This language is mutually intelligible with both Indonesian and local Palembang Malay. This means speakers can understand each other easily.

Human settlement in South Sumatra goes back to the Palaeolithic era.

Buddha Seguntang Palembang
Buddha Seguntang Palembang

Archaeologists have found ancient tools in the riverbeds of the Saling and Kikim rivers. In Harimau Cave, researchers excavated seventy-eight skeletons. These remains are estimated to be between 3,000 and 14,000 years old. These people were likely of Austronesian or Austromelanesoid origins. Near a coffee plantation in Lahat Regency, people found seven stone chambers. These chambers are believed to be about 2,500 years old.

Coffee of South Sumatera
Coffee of South Sumatera

A major part of the region's history is the Srivijaya Kingdom. This ancient Buddhist kingdom was established around the 7th century AD near Palembang.

Talang Tuo Inscription
Talang Tuo Inscription

Srivijaya was a powerful maritime empire. This means it held great strength and control over the sea. The kingdom became a central hub for international trade. It controlled vital maritime routes like the Straits of Malacca and the Java Sea. The empire even expanded its influence into Thailand and Cambodia. Some archaeological ruins of Srivijaya temples have been found in those distant lands.

The Srivijaya empire relied on its control of sea lanes to grow wealthy.

Srivijayan Expansion
Srivijayan Expansion

It produced valuable goods like camphor, agarwood, cloves, and sandalwood. Arab historians like Al Masudi described Srivijaya as a large and rich kingdom. However, the empire faced many challenges over time. In 1025, the Chola Empire from southern India defeated Srivijaya. This conquest led to the empire being under Chola influence for several decades. Natural changes also played a role in its decline. Mud sedimentation in the Musi River made it harder for merchant ships to reach Palembang. This caused the city to move away from the sea. As ships arrived less often, tax revenue decreased and the economy weakened.

Following the decline of Srivijaya, the region saw different rulers. The Majapahit Empire conquered the Palembang region in 1375 AD. Later, Islam became the dominant religion in the area. This replaced Buddhism and Hinduism. In 1659, the Palembang Sultanate was officially established.

Masjid Agung Palembang
Masjid Agung Palembang

The sultanate lasted for nearly two centuries until 1825. The period between 1776 and 1803 was a golden era for the sultanate. Under Sultan Muhammad Bahauddin, the economy grew very quickly due to trade. The sultanate traded spices with many partners, including Britain and China. They also controlled the tin mines on the Bangka-Belitung islands.

Today, the culture of South Sumatra remains very vibrant. You can see this in the traditional architecture, such as the Rumah Limas.

TMII South Sumatra Pavilion Limas House
TMII South Sumatra Pavilion Limas House

The food is also a famous part of the local identity. People enjoy many fish-based dishes.

Pempek Kuah Cuko
Pempek Kuah Cuko

One popular dish is pempek, which is a type of fish cake. Another traditional food is Mie Celor.

Mie Celor Palembang
Mie Celor Palembang

These traditions connect the modern province to its long and complex history. The province continues to be an important part of the Indonesian landscape.

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🖼️ Images & Media (25)
File:South Sumatra in Indonesia.svg
South Sumatra in Indonesia.svg
File:Flag of Indonesia.svg
Flag of Indonesia.svg
File:National emblem of Indonesia Garuda Pancasila.svg
National emblem of Indonesia Garuda Pancasila.svg
File:Coat of arms of South Sumatra.svg
Coat of arms of South Sumatra.svg
File:Mie Celor Palembang.jpg
Mie Celor Palembang.jpg
File:Masjid Agung Palembang.jpg
Masjid Agung Palembang.jpg
File:Pahala kencana.jpg
Pahala kencana.jpg
File:SMB2IA LRT arriving.jpg
SMB2IA LRT arriving.jpg
File:Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin Airport Front.jpg
Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin Airport Front.jpg
File:Tari Kebagh, 2017.jpg
Tari Kebagh, 2017.jpg
File:KA Serelo 08-2015.JPG
KA Serelo 08-2015.JPG
File:Pempek Kuah Cuko.jpg
Pempek Kuah Cuko.jpg

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