KBEONLINE.ID – Tracing the History of Sunda at the Museum History of Sundaland Karawang.

Exploring history is always fascinating. The Museum History of Sundaland in Karawang invites us to embark on an adventure into the early history of the Sundanese civilization.

This place acts like a telescope, allowing us to gaze into the legends of the Sunda Kingdom from thousands of years ago. It’s an important site for the younger generation to better understand the history of their ancestors, the Sundanese, and especially the people of Karawang.

It’s well-known that Karawang is closely tied to the legend of Prabu Siliwangi, the most famous king of the Pajajaran Kingdom. Many historical remnants of Siliwangi can be found in this region, which are worth exploring for their historical significance.

When you visit the Museum History of Sundaland in Karawang, you can begin your journey by learning about the origins of the city, including the history behind its name and the fascinating legends.

We can start our conversation about Karawang with a glimpse into the Museum History of Sundaland.

As the name suggests, the museum delves into various aspects of Sundanese history through captivating stories.

All the pieces of history surrounding Sundaland are encapsulated in seventeen diverse zones, starting with the origin of life, the discovery of prehistoric human fossils in Tanah Pasundan, the Batu Burial and Austronesian Zone, the eruption of Krakatau, the Baduy Tribe, the Buni Culture, the Tarumanegara Kingdom, the Sunda Kingdom and its influence, the Champa Kingdom, Islamic figures in Tanah Pasundan, as well as the cultural collection of Indonesian masks.

Visiting the 17 zones with a guide at the Museum History of Sundaland will surely highlight why this museum is dedicated to explaining the Sunda heritage in Karawang. One of the key figures in this history is Syekh Quro, the first Islamic scholar who came to Java and eventually settled there until his death.

In brief, the spread of Islam in the region began when Syekh Quro established a pesantren called Pondok Quro, which means a place for learning the Quran, around the year 1418 AD or 1340 Saka.

The people of Karawang originally practiced Hinduism and Buddhism, and the area was under the influence of the Sunda Kingdom before Syekh Quro’s arrival.

According to the Purwaka Caruban Nagari manuscript, Syekh Quro was a scholar from Champa who came to the archipelago with Admiral Cheng Ho. He was also the son of a great Islamic scholar from Champa, Syekh Yusuf Siddik.

The importance of museums is to serve as places for the education and recreation of Indonesia’s golden generation. This was emphasized by Atalia Ridwan Kamil, who was present at the History of Sundaland Museum in Karawang, accompanied by Karawang students.

The story of Syekh Quro is just a part of Karawang’s history, which continues to inspire the establishment of the Museum History of Sundaland. To conclude, Syekh Quro passed away in Desa Pulo Kalapa, Lemahabang District, Karawang. Today, this site has become one of the most famous religious tourism destinations in Karawang.

In addition to the story of Syekh Quro, you can also ask the Storyteller or tour guide many interesting questions about the history of Karawang, such as the origin of its name. This is especially relevant considering that the storytelling at the Museum History of Sundaland is deeply connected to Syekh Quro of Karawang. The museum also highlights the legendary figure of Prabu Siliwangi, the powerful king closely associated with the conquest of the “maung” or Sundanese tiger.

The History of the Name Karawang

Dear Museum Friends, do you know the origin of the name Karawang?

During the arrival of Syekh Quro, Karawang was a wilderness filled with swamps. That’s why the name Karawang comes from the Sundanese word “Ke-rawa-an” meaning a swampy area. This name reflects the geographical conditions of Karawang, which was surrounded by swamps.

Even today, remnants of those swamps still exist, and many place names begin with the word *rawa* (swamp), such as Rawasari, Rawagede, Rawamerta, Rawagempol, and others.

In the past, travelers passing through the swampy areas would move in caravans for safety, using animals like horses, cows, buffaloes, or donkeys.

Interestingly, the word “caravan” from the Portuguese language, referring to such groups, was used for areas around the Citarum estuary and further inland. Over time, this word evolved into “Karawang.”

When visiting the History of Sundaland Museum, visitors can enjoy a variety of comprehensive facilities, such as a 3D theater and photo spots enhanced with Augmented Reality technology. This allows historical objects to come to life on your smartphone screen.

The museum features 17 zones, including themes such as the Influence of Cheng Ho, Sultanates in West Java, the Founding of the West Java Sultanates, West Java Trade Routes, the Arrival and Influence of the VOC, Wayang and Masks of West Java, and much more to explore and learn from this incredible place.

This article is sourced from kbeonline.id

https://kbeonline.id/2023/12/12/melihat-jejak-jejak-kuno-peradaban-sunda-di-museum-hisory-of-sundaland-karawang/

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