Sumatra




À partir du xxxe siècle av. J.-C., des habitants du littoral de la Chine du sud commencent à traverser le détroit pour s'installer à Taiwan. Vers 2 000 av. J.-C., des migrations ont lieu de Taiwan vers les Philippines. De nouvelles migrations commencent bientôt des Philippines vers Sulawesi et Timor et de là, les autres îles de l'archipel indonésien, dont Sumatra. Les Austronésiens sont sans doute les premiers grands navigateurs de l'histoire de l'humanité.

Entrée dans l'histoire Modifier

Une mosquée de la ville de Meulaboh
Des fouilles effectuées dans l'embouchure du fleuve Musi, en aval de Palembang dans le sud de Sumatra, aux alentours de 2000 ont révélé l'existence de deux sites portuaires qui dateraient du ier siècle apr. J.-C.

Il y a dans l'épopée indienne du Ramayana, écrite entre le iiie siècle avant notre ère et le iiie siècle après, le nom de Suvarnadvipa, "l'île de l'or", qui désigne probablement Sumatra car l'or était sans doute déjà exploité dans la région de Barus sur la côte ouest de l'île.

Les Jataka (recueil de contes bouddhistes composé entre le iiie siècle avant notre ère et le iiie siècle après) et la chronique ceylanaise du Mahavamsa (écrite au vie siècle) parlent d'un pays du nom de Suvarnabhumi, qui signifie "Terre de l'Or" et désigne peut-être Sumatra ou Java.

Ptolémée (vers 90-168), un des précurseurs de la géographie moderne, mentionne dans son traité La géographie une Chersonèse d'Or ou "péninsule de l'or", dont il est pensé qu'elle désigne la péninsule Malaise ou Sumatra.

Les plus anciens documents écrits trouvés à Sumatra sont des inscriptions en vieux-malais. Une inscription datée de 683 apr. J.-C., dite de Kedukan Bukit dans l'île de Bangka à côté de Sumatra, proclame que le souverain de Sriwijaya, à la tête de 20 000 soldats, a embarqué à bord de 1 300 vaisseaux. Des textes arabes et chinois confirment que Sriwijaya est un État puissant qui contrôle le détroit de Malacca, à l'époque déjà une importante voie maritime internationale. La cité-État de Sriwijaya se trouvait à l'emplacement de l'actuelle Palembang. Ses souverains observaient le culte du bouddhisme mahâyâna (Grand Véhicule).

Barus sur la côte nord-ouest de Sumatra est un port connu depuis longtemps comme un lieu d'où provenaient le camphre et le benjoin. La présence d'un évêché chrétien de rite nestorien y est attestée dès le viie siècle, celle d'une ligue de marchands tamouls au xie siècle.

Une expédition menée en 1275 par le roi Kertanegara de Singasari contre le royaume de Malayu, c'est-à-dire Jambi dans l'est de Sumatra, est mentionnée dans le Nagarakertagama, poème épique écrit en 1365 sous le règne du roi Hayam Wuruk (1350-1389) de Majapahit dans l'est de l'île de Java. Une statue trouvée dans le centre de Sumatra porte une inscription datée de 1286 qui précise que cette statue est un présent de Kertanegara au "peuple de Malayu et son roi".


Reconstitution du palais de Pagaruyung, ancienne capitale du royaume des Minangkabau
En 1282, le roi de Samudra, situé dans l'actuel Aceh, envoie en Chine deux émissaires portant des noms arabes. Dans son voyage de retour de la cour de Kubilai Khan à Venise en 1292, Marco Polo fait escale à Perlak, voisin de Samudra, et note que le souverain de ce port est musulman, ce qui n'est pas le cas de "Basma" et "Samara". On[Qui ?] a essayé d'identifier, sans certitude, Samara à Samudra et Basma à Pasai, une autre principauté voisine. Barus et Samudra sont mentionnés dans liste des quelque cent « contrées tributaires » de Majapahit énumérée dans le Nagarakertagama.

Le voyageur marocain Ibn Battuta fait escale à Samudra à l'aller et au retour de son voyage en Chine en 1345-1346. Il note que le souverain est musulman de l'école shafi'ite. Adityawarman (1356-1375), un protégé de Majapahit, introduit le système de gouvernement royal en pays Minangkabau (situé dans l'actuelle Sumatra occidental). Selon la tradition, peu avant 1400, Parameswra, un prince de Sriwijaya, fonde le port de Malacca sur la péninsule Malaise.

Deux pierres tombales musulmanes à Minye Tujuh en Aceh témoignent de la transition en train de s'opérer dans le pays. Toutes deux rédigées en malais, l'une est écrite dans un alphabet d'origine indienne qualifié de "proto-sumatranais", l'autre en arabe. Elles signalent le décès d'une fille du sultan Malik al Zahir. Les deux inscriptions portent une date en ère Saka et en ère de l'Hégire, mais diffèrent d'une dizaine d'années, l'une mentionnant l'équivalent de 1380 apr. J.-C. et l'autre, 1389.

Les souverains de Malacca se convertissent bientôt à l'islam. Le grand amiral chinois Zheng He, qui mènera sept expéditions vers l'Inde, le Moyen-Orient et l'Afrique de l'Est entre 1405 et 1433, musulman, fait plusieurs fois escale à Malacca.

Essor des royaumes musulmans et arrivée des Européens Modifier
En 1511, une flotte portugaise, partie de Goa en Inde sous le commandement du vice-roi Afonso de Albuquerque, s'empare de Malacca, qui était devenu le plus grand port d'As

SUMATRA ISLAND
Aceh
At the northwestern end of Sumatra, was the first province of Indonesia to have significant contact with the outside world. Chinese chronicles of the sixth century speak of a kingdom called Po-Li on the northern tip of what is now Sumatra. 9th century Arabic and Indian writings mention Aceh as an important trade centre. The first Islamic Kingdom in Indonesia was established in 804 in Aceh, and the region's position as an Islamic stronghold grew as the city became a centre for Islamic learning and the gateway for Indonesians making the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Over the centuries, a constant influx of traders and immigrants established Aceh as a wealthy and influential trading nation, possessing a strong sense of independence. Aceh's dominance in trade and politics reached its peak in the early 1600's. Aceh's decline began with the death of Sultan Iskandar Thani in 1641, when the British and the Dutch began to battle for control of the region. The London Treaty of 1824 gave the Dutch control of all British possessions in Sumatra, in return for their withdrawal from India and Singapore.
The Acehnese are famous throughout Indonesia for their courage and fierce sense of Independence, and the Dutch lost over 10,000 men during the Aceh Wars, which lasted from 1873 to 1942. Although industrialization and global communications have created a greater openness to western ideas and practices, visitors should keep in mind that the Acehnese take their religion, their manners and their morals very seriously.
Aceh after Tsunami Disaster
North Sumatra
Indonesia's most populous province outside of java, stretches from the Indian Ocean in the west to the Straits of Malaka in the East, and from Aceh in the north to west Sumatra in the south. It is thick with virgin rainforest, jungle-covered hills, terraced rice field, mountain rivers, beautiful waterfalls, volcanic lakes and peaceful white beaches.The people of the region can be divided into five main ethnic groups: the Coastal Malays, Living along the Malacca Straits, the Bataks, consisting of the sub-tribes around Lake Toba and Samosir Island, the Pesisirs along the Indian Ocean coast, the Mandailing of Southern Tapanuli, and Nias Islanders off the western coast of the province. These groups each have their own dialects, religious beliefs, arts, customs and cultures. Several ethnic groups live in Medan and other towns of North Sumatra, the largest of these being Chinese and Indian. Other parts of the archipelago are represented, notably the Acehnese, Minangkabau and Javanese.The diversity of arts and cultures make this region a treasure chest for social scientists and culture seekers. Ancient carved-stone graves of Batak kings, the megalithic culture of Nias, unique dances, ceremonies, arts and crafts are just waiting for you to discover.
North Sumatra is also one of the richest provinces in Indonesia for flora and fauna. And of course the jewel of North Sumatra, Lake Toba, the legendary birthplace of the mountain-dwelling Bataks and the largest island lake in Southeast Asia.
The region also produces more than 30% of Indonesia's export commodities, making it a vital cog in the Indonesian economy. Tobacco, palm oil, tea and rubber are produced in large quantities, particularly around Medan in the north of the province.
West Sumatra
West Sumatra is composed of three regions: volcanic highlands, a long coastal plain and a series of jungle-covered islands just offshore. Much of the province is still wilderness; virgin jungle inhabited by elephants, leopards and rhinos. It is the traditional homeland of the Minangkabau, who are known far and wide through the archipelago for their shrewd business sense, their fiery-hot dishes and ancient matriarchal customs. The women own property and the men leave home to seek their fame and fortune. Travelling is considered a mark of success and West Sumatrans and their Minang or Padang restaurants are found in all major towns across the nation. The people are hospitable and eloquent, with a poetic style of speech. West Sumatran days are filled with colourful ceremonies and festivals. Legend has it the Minangkabau are descendants of the youngest son of Alexander the Great, King Maharajo Dirajo. West Sumatra's centre of culture and tourism is Bukittinggi, nestled in the highlands north of the provincial capital of Padding.
Surrounded by high mountains, picturesque valleys and lakes, Bukittinggi is considered by many tourists to be the most hospitable city in all Sumatra. Padang Tabing Airport is the main gateway to West Sumatra and serviced by local airlines. The MV. Kerens sails every two weeks for Jakarta from Teluk Bayur harbor. Smaller vessels from Muara harbor sail to small towns along the entire west coast of Sumatra. Regular bus services run between Padang Bukittinggi and other major cities of Sumatra, as well as via trans-Sumatra Highway to Jakarta.
Riau Archipelago
The 3,000 islands of the Riau province straddle the Straits of Malacca, one of the oldest and busiest trading routes in the world. For centuries the islands have provided a safe haven to traders and sailors from Europe, India and China, retaining today the flavour of an ancient 'crossroads of the world". The romantic history of this region is rich with tales of piracy and international conflict. Riau, which includes a large part of East Sumatra, is homeland to the Malays and the source of Indonesia's Malay-based national language. The first book of Malay grammar, called Bustanul Katibin, was written and published here in 1857.
Since its founding in 1402 by Parameswara, the Kingdom of Malacca played a leading role in the history of the area. With the arrival of the Portuguese a period of wars for control of the Straits began. The situation was aggravated by the arrival of the Dutch and British in the early 17th century.A turbulent conflict followed, which was partially resolved by the Treaty of London in 1824, giving the Dutch control of all European territories south of Singapore. This area included Riau, and effectively severed its links with Johor and the mainland.
Riau
The Dutch subjugated and dissolved the rebellious Riau Sultanate in 1911, but the province's influence remained strong. Pekanbaru in Sumatra became the provincial capital in 1959, taking over from the former capital of Tanjungpinang on the island of Bintan. Tanjungpinang is, however, still the most important town in the province. Its proximity to Singapore has made it a main business and shopping port and together with the nearby island of Batam, it is promising to became an area of major investment and development in the years ahead. The future looks bright for Riau; because of it is strategic position with the rest of Asia it is rapidly being developing as a major economic zone.
Jambi
The Province of Jambi, located on the east coast of Central Sumatra, faces the Strait of Malaka and shares borders with four other provinces in Sumatra. It has long been a melting pot for different ethnic groups. The earliest inhabitants of Jambi were of Malays to migrate to Sumatra. The ancient Jambi kingdom of Melayu maintained relations with the mighty kingdoms of Sriwijaya, Majapahit and Singasari, but was eventually attacked and annexed by Sriwijaya in the middle of the 17th century. Encompassing an area of 53,435 sq. km, almost 60% of which is forest, the province is an exhilarating place for active and adventurous visitors. Jambi is one of Indonesia's 27 Provinces. Geographically, Jambi Province is located between 0,450 south latitude, and between 101.100 and 105.550 Eastern longitude. Its total area is 53 436.52 square kilometers and it is bordered by the Berhala Starit, South Sumatra Province to the South, West Sumatra Province to the West and Riau Province to the North. Jambi Province is divided into 5 Regencies and one Municipality. These are batang hari with an area of 11 130.5 sq.km, Bungo Tebo (13500 sq.km), Surolangin Bangko (14200 sq.km) and the Jambi Municipality with an area of 306 square kilometers.
Bengkulu
Bengkulu's history is been a difficult one, filled with changing colonial rulers, internal Sumatran wars, disease and exploitation of the indigenous peoples. It was the site of Sir Stamford Raffles first entry into Indonesia and there are still remains of British influence in the area. The primary crops of the area are pepper, coffee, nutmeg and sugar cane. Bengkulu Provinces is easily accessible by land, air and sea transportation. You can catch regular buses direct from Medan, Padang or Jakarta. Flights arrive three times a day. Domestic ships from Jakarta, Padang and Medan stop over in Baai harbor, Bengkulu.
South Sumatra
One of the greatest kingdoms in Indonesian history, the Buddhist Empire of Sriwijaya, prospered along the banks of the Musi River in South Sumatra over a thousand years ago. Located on the southern-most rim of the South China Sea, close to one of the world's busiest shipping lanes linking the Far East with Europe, the region's historical background is rich and colorful.
The Sriwijaya kingdom practiced a bustling and lucrative trade with ancient China during its era of powerful dynasties. In 672 the Chinese-scholar, I Tsing, recorded that a thousand monks and scholars could be seen translating and studying Sanskrit in what is now the regional capital of Palembang. Few relics of this memorable era remain.
Stretching from the foothills of the mighty Bukit Barisan mountain range in West Sumatra to the islands of Bangka and Belitung in the East, the province of South Sumatra is relatively flat but very fertile, with numerous rivers cutting across the landscape and meandering their way to the sea. Coffee and tea plantations are scattered across the province, but the area's enormous wealth comes from oil, natural gas, coal, tin and quartz reserves.
Palembang is still the gateway to the province with one of the region's three major airports. The other two are on Bangka and Belitung islands. All three provide direct connections with Medan, Batam, Padang and Jakarta. Air-conditioned buses from points north and west of Palembang are also regularly available, as well as from major cities in Java and Bali.
The Province of Jambi, located on the east coast of Central Sumatra, faces the Strait of Malaka and shares borders with four other provinces in Sumatra. It has long been a melting pot for different ethnic groups. The earliest inhabitants of Jambi were of Malays to migrate to Sumatra. The ancient Jambi kingdom of Melayu maintained relations with the mighty kingdoms of Sriwijaya, Majapahit and Singasari, but was eventually attacked and annexed by Sriwijaya in the middle of the 17th century. Encompassing an area of 53,435 sq. km, almost 60% of which is forest, the province is an exhilarating place for active and adventurous visitors.

Bangka Belitung
Belonging to this province are two sizable islands, Bangka and Belitung, off Sumatra's east coast. Both Bangka and Belitung are known for the hospitality of their people and for their appetizing seafoods. They are also important producers of tin.

Lampung
Ancient Chinese travel chronicles refer to a place in the most southerly part of Sumatra called "Lampung" or "Place of the southerly winds". Megalithic sculptures discovered in Kebontebu, Kenali, Pugung and Batubedil also help to date the province to Indonesia's greatest maritime empire, Sriwijaya. Strategically located looking towards Krakatau and Java across the Sunda Strait, Lampung has a long history of trade and is still an important gateway into Sumatra, particularly from Jakarta.
The Province is generally flat with the highest mountains of Gunung pesagi, Tanggamas, Seminiung, Sekincau and Raya all being dormant volcanoes. Pundar Lampung, the Provincial capital, was formerly two separate towns, Tanjungkarang and the port of Teluk Betung, which after the infamous eruption of Krakatau were both completely covered in volcanic ash. In the course of development, however, these towns have merged together to become one single city. Being blessed with incredibly fertile soil, agriculture has naturally become the main industry of the province. Clove, coffee, cassava, cocoa and rice are preferred in the eastern sections of the regions. The area around Lake Ranu is primarily a tobacco growing area.
The Way Kambas Nature Reserve in the west of the province is a perfect place to see Sumatran elephants being trained to work in thick tropical jungles as well as hundreds of species of exotic birds. Tigers still roam this land although they are rare. The largest flower in the world, Rafflesia, can be seen at the Bukit Barisan Selatan National park.

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