Lambung Mangkurat Museum

Tracing the Footprints of Banua Civilization: Lambung Mangkurat Museum as the Heart of South Kalimantan's Culture

Museum Lambung Mangkurat, standing majestically in Banjarbaru City, is more than just a repository for ancient artifacts. As a vital cultural institution in South Kalimantan, this museum serves as a bridge connecting the golden past of the Banjar Sultanate with the dynamics of modern society. With its iconic architecture resembling the traditional Bubungan Tinggi house, this museum represents the visual identity of the Banjar ethnic group while also being a center for the preservation of invaluable cultural heritage on the island of Borneo.

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Architecture and Symbolism of Banjar Identity

The uniqueness of Museum Lambung Mangkurat begins with its building facade. Adopting the structure of Rumah Bubungan Tinggi, this building features a roof that sharply soars upwards, symbolizing the connection between humans and the Creator. The use of sturdy ulin wood and carvings of tali bapilin and daun jaruju motifs on its ornaments emphasizes that this museum is a manifestation of local wisdom. Within its exhibition halls, visitors not only see objects but also feel the philosophy of life of the Banjar people, who are religious yet open to external influences.

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Variety of Traditional Arts and Superior Crafts

As a cultural center, Museum Lambung Mangkurat is a permanent exhibition space for traditional crafts that are the pride of South Kalimantan. One of the most prominent is the collection of Kain Sasirangan textiles. The museum often holds demonstrations of Sasirangan making, from the menyirang (basting stitch) process, dyeing using natural materials like turmeric and ulin wood, to the process of removing threads to reveal the motifs.

In addition to textiles, the museum also showcases the metalworking skills of the people of Negara (a region in South Kalimantan). Traditional weapon collections such as Keris Banjar, Parang Bungkul, and Belitung are not merely tools of protection, but works of art with intricate patterns. Through thematic exhibition programs, the museum explains the typological differences of these weapons based on the social status of their owners during the Banjar Sultanate era.

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Educational Programs and Cultural Literacy

Museum Lambung Mangkurat is very progressive in carrying out its educational functions. The "Museum Goes to School" program is one of its flagship initiatives, where museum educators bring replica collections and learning materials to schools in remote areas of South Kalimantan. This aims to instill pride in local identity from an early age.

Within the museum complex, there is an audio-visual room that regularly screens documentaries about the history of Prince Antasari's struggle and the history of kingdoms in Kalimantan (such as the Tanjungpuri and Negara Dipa Kingdoms). The museum also provides curatorial guidance services for history and anthropology students, making this institution a living laboratory for Borneo cultural research.

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Performance Activities and Traditional Arts

Periodically, the museum courtyard transforms into an art performance stage. One of the most anticipated attractions is Madihin, an oral poetry performance delivered humorously with the accompaniment of rebana drums. Museum Lambung Mangkurat often invites Pamadihinan (Madihin artists) to perform at guest reception events or cultural festivals, ensuring this oral tradition remains relevant for Generation Z.

Besides Madihin, Tari Baksa Kembang (welcome dance) and Tari Radap Rahayu performances are often staged here. The presence of Gamelan Banjar music, which has a louder and more cheerful character than Javanese gamelan, creates a magical atmosphere whenever cultural rituals or major exhibition openings are held.

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Cultural Events and Annual Festivals

Museum Lambung Mangkurat hosts various prestigious events, one of which is "Museum Week" and joint exhibitions with museums across Kalimantan. In these events, the museum not only displays its own collections but also collaborates with creative communities in Banjarbaru and Martapura.

Traditional culinary festivals are also frequently held within the museum grounds, featuring "40 Types of Banjar Cakes" such as Bingka, Amparan Tatak, and Sari India. Through these festivals, the museum strives to maintain the resilience of culinary culture that is now being eroded by modern food. The involvement of local SMEs in these events proves that the museum has a tangible economic role for the surrounding community.

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Preservation of Cultural Heritage and Conservation

The museum's primary function as a conservation institution is carried out very strictly. Museum Lambung Mangkurat has a conservation laboratory that cares for thousands of artifacts, ranging from Ming Dynasty ceramics found in Kalimantan waters to ancient manuscripts containing Islamic teachings and traditional medicine.

One of the most unique collections continuously preserved is Gajah Menyusu, a traditional wooden building structure saved from extinction. Restoration and digital documentation efforts for ancient manuscripts are also undertaken to ensure that ancestral knowledge can be accessed by researchers from all over the world without damaging the physical original manuscripts.

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Role in Local Cultural Development

Museum Lambung Mangkurat acts as a coordination hub for indigenous communities in South Kalimantan. The museum often serves as a meeting place for customary leaders and artists to discuss the direction of cultural development for the Banjar and Dayak Meratus people. By providing a space for local artists to exhibit contemporary works inspired by traditional motifs, the museum encourages cultural innovation.

The presence of the museum in Banjarbaru also supports the city's vision as a center for education and culture in South Kalimantan. This museum serves as a counterbalance amidst rapid urban development, reminding residents that technological progress should not detach them from their traditional roots.

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Community and Youth Engagement

To attract the interest of young people, Museum Lambung Mangkurat has begun adopting digital technology. The use of QR Codes on collection labels linked to in-depth digital descriptions, and the museum's active social media presence sharing unique facts about Dayak and Banjar history, have increased millennial visitor numbers.

Photography and sketching communities often use the museum's architecture as subjects for their work. The museum welcomes this by organizing photo and vlog competitions themed "Heritage Banua." The involvement of these communities is crucial so that the museum is no longer perceived as a spooky and boring place, but rather as a dynamic, educational, and inspiring public space.

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Conclusion: Preserving Collective Memory

Museum Lambung Mangkurat is the guardian of the collective memory of the people of South Kalimantan. From fragments of ancient fossils to replicas of the golden throne of the Banjar Sultanate, every corner of this museum tells a story of resilience, creativity, and spirituality of the people on the land of Borneo. Through the integration of artifact preservation, art performances, public education, and the utilization of technology, Museum Lambung Mangkurat continues to stand firm as a beacon of culture illuminating the path towards a more dignified future for Banua. Visiting this museum is not just a journey to see inanimate objects, but a spiritual dialogue with the ancestors who laid the foundation of civilization in South Kalimantan.