The island of Sumatra is the longest island
of Indonesia, more then 2000 kms from the north tip to the southern
tip. The island is known to have second biggest tropical forest
after Kalimantan, and the only habitat of Asian tiger until today.
The rain forest is along the slope of bukit Barisan or chain of
mountain along the island. The habitat of the tiger is from west
Sumatra up to the area of Lampung in south Sumatra, while the habitat
of orangutans is on Leuser National park north sumatra, bordering
with Aceh Province. Sumatra with some smaller islands on the west
and east coasts records some ethnic groups such as the Aceh, the
Batak, the Nias, the Mentawai, and the forest people of Kubu. North
Sumatra province, as the home of Batak people is one of the most
interesting country with the existence of beautiful lake Toba, Orangutans
and the culture of Batak themselves who continues their ancestors
tradition, although they are now mostly Christian. Lake Toba with
Samosir island in it which is as big as Singapore is one of the
nature's oddity that on such a narrow land was ever a super volcanic
eruption which was happened 70,000 years ago.
West Sumatra, known as the home of Minagkabau people was a Hindu
kingdom around 13 to 14th century and have a close relation with
Pajajaran kingdom in west Java. It is not clear up to now if Sumatra
under Sriwijaya kingdom was controlling Pajajaran or Majapahit of
Java controlled Sriwijaya by ordering Pajakaran to supervise Sriwijaya.
Proof of Sriwijaya ever control over west Java is presence in the
present region of Banten. As a result of ever controlled by Hindu
kingdom west Sumatra has unique culture, especially the art and
historical places. Although in basic concept of house architecture
for example almost the same as Batak, but the Minangkabau house
which is called Rumah Gadang has beautiful carving and decoration.
The historic monument of king Adidyavarman in Pagaruyung, the museum
of art are of traditional interests beside nature beauties such
as Ngarai Sianok or Sianok canyon just on the west side of Bukit
Tinggi city the capital of Minangkabau land. Bukit Tinggi city itself
preserves the heritages from Dutch colonial era, and Japanese occupation
such as Gua Jepang or under soil resistance, just on the west side
of the city. In the field of social and living art Minangkabau has
not much to offer as the people already Moslem. |