Wasaka Museum

Traces of the Struggle of the South Kalimantan People: The Historical Narrative of Wasaka Museum

Museum Wasaka is one of the most important historical monuments in Banjarmasin City, South Kalimantan. The name "Wasaka" itself is not just a label, but an acronym for the struggle motto of the South Kalimantan people, namely "Waja Sampai Ka Puting". In the Banjar language, this motto means "Steel Until the End," which reflects an unyielding determination and a spirit of never giving up in fighting colonialism to the last drop of blood. Located in Sungai Jingah Village, North Banjarmasin District, this museum stands majestically on the banks of the Martapura River as a silent witness to the heroism of the Banjar community.

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Background of Establishment and Development Period

The idea to establish Wasaka Museum was born from the desire to immortalize the collective memory of the South Kalimantan people's struggle against Dutch colonialists, especially during the physical revolution period of 1945-1949. The South Kalimantan Provincial Government recognized the need for a repository of historical artifacts so that patriotic values could be passed down to future generations.

The museum was inaugurated on November 10, 1991, coinciding with Heroes' Day. The choice of this date is highly symbolic, emphasizing that this building is dedicated to honoring the services of the independence fighters. Before becoming a museum, this building was a residential house belonging to a resident named Haji Andir, which was later repurposed and restored by the local government to become an official historical site.

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Architecture of the Rumah Bubungan Tinggi: Philosophy and Construction

One of the main attractions of Wasaka Museum is its building form, which is a Rumah Bubungan Tinggi. This is the highest type of traditional Banjar house in the hierarchy of traditional architecture in South Kalimantan. In the past, this style of building was usually used as a sultan's palace or the residence of high nobles.

The construction of the building is dominated by ulin wood (Eusideroxylon zwageri), a typical Kalimantan wood known for its extreme strength and water resistance, often nicknamed "ironwood." This stilt house architecture is designed to adapt to the wetland environment and the tides of the Martapura River. Its steep and towering roof symbolizes the connection between humans and the Creator. Floral motif carvings, such as bogam flowers and bamboo shoots, adorn the pillars and railings, reflecting the acculturation of local culture with Islamic values.

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Historical Significance and Related Events

Museum Wasaka focuses its collection on the Physical Revolution period in South Kalimantan. One of the historical events most closely associated with this museum is the Proclamation of May 17, 1949. This event was a statement of the South Kalimantan people's stance under the leadership of Brigadier General H. Hassan Basry, declaring that South Kalimantan remained an inseparable part of the Republic of Indonesia, even though the Dutch were attempting to form puppet states through the Linggarjati and Renville Agreements.

Inside the museum, visitors can find over 400 historical artifacts. These include traditional weapons such as mandau, kris, and spears, to modern firearms seized from Dutch soldiers like long rifles, pistols, and mortars. There is also a rare collection of armor or "chain mail" used by Banjar fighters, as well as objects considered to have spiritual power (talismans) that fighters often carried into battle.

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Important Figures and the ALRI Division IV Defense of Kalimantan Movement

The most prominent figure in the historical narrative at Wasaka Museum is Brigadier General H. Hassan Basry, who was later awarded the title of Indonesian National Hero. He was the leader of ALRI (Indonesian Navy) Division IV for the Defense of Kalimantan. This museum documents how guerrilla coordination was carried out from the forest interior to the riverine areas of Banjarmasin.

Besides Hassan Basry, the museum also commemorates the roles of other local figures and struggle organizations such as the Barisan Pemberontak Rakyat Indonesia (BPRI - Indonesian People's Rebel Front). Important documents in the form of secret letters, old typewriters used for strategy formulation, and old cameras that captured crucial moments of the struggle are neatly preserved as authentic evidence of the independence movement in Borneo.

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Preservation and Restoration Efforts

As a historical site designated as a Cultural Heritage, Wasaka Museum continues to receive attention in terms of conservation. Given that its main material is ulin wood in a humid environment near the river, regular maintenance against termites and decay is a priority for the management.

Major restorations have been carried out to maintain the authenticity of the building's structure without losing its historical value. The South Kalimantan Provincial Government, through the Department of Culture and Tourism, periodically reorganizes the exhibition layout so that historical information can be conveyed in an educational and engaging manner for domestic and international tourists. The utilization of digital technology is now being integrated to document artifacts so that historical data is not lost to time.

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Cultural and Religious Meanings in the Struggle

The history presented by Wasaka Museum is inseparable from the strong influence of Islam in Banjarmasin. The spirit of "Waja Sampai Ka Puting" is often juxtaposed with the concept of "Jihad Fi Sabilillah" in fighting the colonizers. The museum's collection, which displays prayer manuscripts and talismans inscribed with verses from the Al-Qur'an, shows that the physical struggle of the Banjar people was always accompanied by a strong spiritual foundation.

Culturally, the existence of this museum in the Sungai Jingah area also supports the preservation of Banjarmasin's old city area. Sungai Jingah is known as an area with a row of well-preserved ancient Banjar houses, making Wasaka Museum a historical tourism anchor that connects the glorious past of the sultanate with the era of the independence struggle.

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Unique Facts and Conclusion

One rarely known unique fact is the collection of old bicycles used by fighter couriers to deliver secret letters past Dutch guard lines. Furthermore, the museum's location directly under the Banua Anyar Bridge provides a contrasting visual perspective between modern infrastructure advancement and the sturdiness of past traditional buildings.

Museum Wasaka is not just a warehouse for antiques; it is a monument to self-respect. Every artifact within it tells the story of the sweat and blood of the South Kalimantan people who refused to bow to foreign hegemony. By visiting this museum, people are reminded that Indonesia's independence was not a gift, but the result of a determination as hard as steel, from the beginning to the end of the struggle.