Lampung Museum

Tracing the Civilization's Footprints of Sang Bumi Ruwa Jurai: The Complete History of Lampung Museum

Museum Negeri Provinsi Lampung, officially known as Museum Ruwa Jurai, is the most important cultural preservation institution in the southern tip of Sumatra Island. Strategically located on Jalan Zaenal Abidin Pagar Alam, Bandar Lampung, this museum is not merely a repository of antiques, but a living monument that records the evolution of Lampung society's identity from the pre-literate era to the modern age.

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Origins and Establishment Period

The idea to establish a representative museum in Lampung began to emerge in 1975. At that time, there was a collective awareness among culturalists and the local government regarding the numerous valuable Lampung artifacts scattered or taken out of the region. The physical construction of this museum began in the 1978/1979 fiscal year.

However, its inauguration did not take place until almost a decade later. Lampung Museum was officially opened to the public on September 24, 1988, by the then Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Dr. Fuad Hassan. The inauguration coincided with the momentum of the International Literacy Day celebration centered in Bandar Lampung. The name "Ruwa Jurai" is derived from the Lampung provincial motto, symbolizing the unity between the indigenous people (Suku Lampung) and the migrant population (transmigrants) living side by side.

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Architectural Style and Construction Details

Architecturally, the main building of Lampung Museum adopts traditional elements combined with modern functionality. One of the most striking features is its roof shape, which adapts the form of a traditional Lampung house roof (Nuwou Sesat). On the facade, visitors can see typical Lampung ornamental motifs, namely bamboo shoots and tendrils, symbolizing growth and life.

The building structure is designed to accommodate a very diverse collection, ranging from massive prehistoric objects to fragile ancient manuscripts. The outdoor area of the museum functions as an open-air museum displaying large-scale collections, while the interior is divided into several thematic exhibition rooms following national curatorial standards.

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Historical Significance and Featured Collections

Lampung Museum plays a crucial role in documenting Lampung's golden age as a global pepper trading route. One of the most significant collections is the "Bronze Vessel" originating from the perundagian period. This vessel proves that Lampung had an advanced civilization and was involved in international trade networks thousands of years ago.

In addition, the museum houses a collection of very rare Tapis fabrics. Tapis fabric is not just clothing, but a representation of social strata and religious symbolism. Some Tapis collections in this museum feature the "Kapal Telok Belango" motif, which depicts the journey of the human soul, a profound ancient cosmological concept of the Lampung people.

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Related Figures and Periods

The history of this museum is inseparable from the role of archaeologists and anthropologists who researched megalithic sites in West Lampung, such as the Pugung Raharjo Site. The collections found at these sites then became the core collection of Lampung Museum. Periodically, this museum covers seven main collection classifications: Geologika, Biologika, Etnografika, Arkeologika, Historika, Numismatika/Heraldika, and Filologika.

The museum also records the influence of the Sriwijaya Kingdom and the Banten Sultanate in Lampung. There are ancient cannons and ancient treaty manuscripts that show how Lampung became a contested region due to its rich natural resources.

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Preservation Status and Restoration Efforts

As a Regional Technical Implementation Unit (UPTD) under the Lampung Provincial Education and Culture Office, this museum continues to undergo modernization. Its preservation status is under strict supervision to maintain the integrity of the artifacts. Restoration is carried out periodically, especially on philological collections (ancient manuscripts) written on tree bark (Pustaha) to prevent them from deteriorating with age.

In recent years, Lampung Museum has undergone digital transformation. These efforts include the digitization of ancient manuscripts and the use of QR codes on collection labels to provide more comprehensive information to millennial visitors. The revitalization of exhibition space layout is also carried out to create a more coherent storytelling flow for tourists.

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Cultural and Religious Significance

For the local community, Lampung Museum is the "Great House" for their identity. Culturally, this museum houses collections of Siger (Lampung bride's crown) from various pepadun and saibatin traditions, showcasing the diversity of customs in Lampung. Siger is not just jewelry, but a symbol of honor and the position of women in the Lampung social structure.

Religiously, this museum documents the transition of beliefs among the Lampung people, from the worship of ancestral spirits (animism-dynamism) reflected in megalithic statues, the influence of Hindu-Buddhism, to the arrival of Islam. Collections of ancient handwritten Qurans and traditional religious equipment serve as historical evidence of how religious values assimilated with local culture.

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Unique Historical Facts

One rarely known unique fact is the presence of a giant "Iron Ball" in the museum courtyard. This iron ball was a tool used during the colonial era and early independence for land clearing in Lampung as part of the transmigration program. This object is a silent witness to Lampung's sociological transformation from a wilderness into one of Sumatra's most densely populated provinces.

In addition, the museum houses a collection of "Aksara Lampung" or Had Lampung. Lampung is one of the few ethnic groups in Indonesia that has its own preserved script. Lampung Museum serves as a study center for language researchers to learn about the evolution of this script from ancient inscriptions to its use in past royal official letters.

With a collection of over 4,000 artifacts, Lampung Museum stands tall as the guardian of collective memory. It is not just a tourist destination, but an educational institution that ensures future generations will not lose their cultural roots amidst the currents of globalization. This museum continues to prove that Lampung is a rich land, where history is written on stone, tree bark, and woven into a piece of Tapis fabric.