Siraja Museum

Historical Roots and Establishment

The Siraja Museum is located in Teluk Bayur Village, an area that was historically the heart of the coal mining industry during the Dutch colonial era. Unlike the Gunung Tabur Museum or the Sambaliung Museum, which occupy former sultanate palaces, the Siraja Museum has its own unique origin. This building was originally the official residence for high-ranking officials of the Dutch mining company, Steenkolen Maatschappij Parapattan (SMP), which operated in Teluk Bayur since the early 20th century.

The construction of this building is estimated to have occurred in the 1920s, a period when Teluk Bayur transformed into a modern city or "Little Europe" in the midst of the Kalimantan wilderness. After independence and the nationalization of Dutch assets, this building transitioned into a government office before finally being designated as a museum to house historical objects belonging to the royal family and archaeological findings from the Berau region. The name "Siraja" itself is derived from a local honorific title and noble lineage referring to traditional leadership in the area.

Architecture and Construction Details

Architecturally, the Siraja Museum embodies the Indische Empire style, a blend of European neoclassical style adapted to Indonesia's tropical climate. The building's structure is dominated by thick walls that function as natural heat insulators, high ceilings for maximum air circulation, and large windows with characteristic colonial wooden grilles.

Its main construction used first-class materials of its time, including the use of ulin wood (ironwood), known for its exceptional strength and resistance to Kalimantan's extreme weather. The roof has a steep pitch to handle high rainfall, while geometric patterned tile floors are still preserved in some corners of the rooms, providing an authentic aesthetic impression. The interior layout of the Siraja Museum is divided into several main exhibition rooms arranged chronologically, from the prehistoric era, the golden age of the sultanate, to the period of the struggle for independence.

Historical Significance and Important Events

The Siraja Museum bears silent witness to the transition of power in Berau. Its location in Teluk Bayur connects the historical narrative between the wealth of natural resources (coal) and the political sovereignty of the Berau Sultanate. One of the important events associated with this site is the negotiation process between local authorities and the Dutch regarding land concession rights.

Furthermore, this museum holds collective memories of the Japanese occupation in Berau. Teluk Bayur, being an important port, was once a target of Allied air raids. The Siraja Museum survived the bombing, making it one of the few original colonial-era buildings still standing without significant structural damage. Inside the museum, visitors can find collections such as ancient cannons, sermon manuscripts from the 18th century, and various traditional ceremonial equipment used in the Batiwakkal ritual.

Related Figures and Periodization

The narrative of the Siraja Museum cannot be separated from the role of the Sultans of Berau, especially after the division of the territory into the Sultanate of Gunung Tabur and the Sultanate of Sambaliung. The objects within the museum are often associated with the leadership of Sultan Aji Kuning and his descendants. Besides noble figures, the museum also highlights the role of mine workers (koeli) who were the economic drivers in Teluk Bayur, showcasing a rarely discussed social history.

The periodization covered in the museum's collection spans from the era of Hindu-Buddhist influence in inland Kalimantan, the arrival of Islam brought by Arab and Malay traders, to the national movement period where local Berau figures began to voice integration with the Republic of Indonesia.

Preservation and Restoration Efforts

As a historical site protected by the Cultural Heritage Law, the Siraja Museum has undergone several stages of conservation. The Berau Regency Government, through the Department of Culture and Tourism, regularly maintains the wooden structure and rearranges the collection displays to be more informative for the younger generation.

The last major restoration focused on strengthening the foundation and replacing parts of the roof that had deteriorated. The main challenge in this preservation is the high humidity, which can damage fabric artifacts and ancient manuscripts. Therefore, temperature and humidity control systems are being introduced in certain storage areas. In addition to the physical building, preservation efforts are also carried out through the digitization of ancient manuscripts of the Berau Sultanate stored in this museum so that their contents can be accessed by researchers widely without damaging the original documents.

Cultural and Religious Importance

The Siraja Museum plays a vital role in the cultural life of the Berau community. This place often serves as an educational location for students to learn about local wisdom, such as the philosophy behind the "Turtle" and "Stingray" motifs that adorn the wooden carvings in the museum. Religiously, some collections such as ancient handwritten Qurans and sultan's prayer equipment show how strong the influence of Islam was in shaping the social structure in Berau.

Every year, during the anniversary of Berau Regency, the Siraja Museum becomes part of the historical trace route. Its existence reminds the people of Berau that they are heirs to a great civilization capable of adapting to the changing times without losing their roots.

Unique Facts of Siraja Museum

One rarely known unique fact is the existence of a bunker or small underground room around the museum area that was once used as a shelter during World War II. Additionally, the Siraja Museum houses a collection of celadon plates from the Ming Dynasty found at the bottom of the Segah River, proving that Berau has been part of the global maritime trade route for centuries.

With all its historical and architectural richness, the Siraja Museum stands not only as a guardian of the past but also as a compass for the future of cultural development in East Kalimantan. Visiting this museum means diving into the depth of the Berau people's soul—a journey through time among ulin pillars and the shadows of past glory.