Gong Nekara Selayar

Unveiling the Majesty of Gong Nekara Selayar: Traces of Metal Civilization in the Selayar Islands

Kepulauan Selayar, located at the southern tip of South Sulawesi, is not only known for its underwater natural beauty but also as a keeper of extraordinary prehistoric civilization secrets. One of the most iconic and historically valuable artifacts in this region is the Gong Nekara Selayar. As a historical site (Nekara Site), its existence is vital evidence of ancient maritime trade networks and metallurgical advancements in Southeast Asia.

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Historical Origins and Period of Creation

Gong Nekara Selayar, or often called by locals by the name *Pung Tongko-tongko*, is believed to originate from the Dong Son culture that flourished in the Red River Valley, North Vietnam. Based on archaeological analysis, this object is estimated to have been created between 600 BCE and 200 CE, marking the peak of the Bronze Age in Southeast Asia.

Its presence in Selayar was first widely identified by Dutch colonial authorities in the 19th century, although local communities had revered it for centuries prior. This discovery sparked historical speculation about how a giant bronze object from mainland Southeast Asia could have landed on a small island south of Sulawesi. Historians agree that this Nekara was a prestigious commodity in the ancient spice trade route, where Selayar served as a strategic stopover for sailors traveling from the west to the Maluku Islands.

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Architectural Details and Metallurgical Construction

Physically, Gong Nekara Selayar is a masterpiece of metal art. This Nekara has impressive dimensions, reaching a height of 92 cm and a drumhead diameter (top part) of 160 cm, making it one of the largest nekara in the world, rivaling the Nekara Bulan Pejeng in Bali.

Its construction used the cire perdue (lost-wax casting) technique. The decorative details on its surface are very specific and possess high aesthetic value:

1. Drumhead: In the center of the drumhead is a 16-pointed star motif, surrounded by geometric decorative patterns in the form of meander lines, tumpals, and concentric circles.

2. Flora and Fauna Motifs: One of the unique characteristics of Nekara Selayar is the presence of decorative motifs in the form of flying storks (pelicans) and elephant motifs. The presence of elephant motifs is particularly interesting because these animals were never native fauna of Sulawesi, which strengthens the theory that this object was an import from mainland Asia.

3. Frog Decoration: On the edge of the drumhead, there are four small frog statues standing in three dimensions (plastic). In the cosmology of ancient agrarian societies, frogs were symbols of rain summoning and fertility.

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Historical Significance and Related Events

The Gong Nekara Selayar site is not merely a storage place for artifacts but a symbol of past sovereignty and diplomacy. In Dutch sailors' records and local manuscripts, the presence of the Nekara is often associated with the arrival of external influences in Selayar. There is a local legend that mentions this Nekara was accidentally discovered by a farmer named Sabuna in the Matalalang area in 1686 while he was cultivating his fields.

Politically, control over this Nekara in the past was often linked to local power hegemony. During the era of kingdoms in Selayar, the Nekara was considered a royal heirloom with supernatural powers. Its existence proves that Selayar was involved in international trade networks long before Europeans arrived in the archipelago, serving as an important corridor in the maritime silk road.

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Related Figures and Periods

Although the identity of the original makers in Vietnam is unknown, in the local Selayar context, this object is closely related to the Putabangun Kingdom period. This Nekara was kept under the supervision of traditional elders and local rulers for generations. During the colonial era, Dutch officials such as J.G.F. Riedel and researchers from the Koninklijk Bataviaasch Genootschap van Kunsten en Wetenschappen paid special attention to this object, which subsequently put Selayar on the world archaeological map.

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Cultural and Religious Importance

For the people of the Selayar Islands, the Gong Nekara is not just a dead metal object. To this day, the Nekara holds a sacred position. In oral tradition, the Nekara is considered a ritual instrument for praying for rain (Rain Drum). The sound produced by striking the nekara is believed to be able to penetrate the heavens and communicate with supernatural powers to ensure successful harvests and the safety of fishermen.

Culturally, the motifs found on the Nekara, such as geometric patterns and star shapes, have inspired various local weaving and carving motifs in South Sulawesi. It has become a collective identity for the people of Selayar, symbolizing prosperity and harmonious relationships between humans, nature, and ancestors.

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Preservation Status and Restoration Efforts

Currently, Gong Nekara Selayar is managed by the Cultural Preservation Center (BPK) Region XIX in cooperation with the Selayar Islands Regency Government. This artifact is housed in a special building that functions as a site museum in Bontobangun Village, Bontoharu District.

Preservation efforts face significant challenges due to the age and bronze metal oxidation (green patina). The government has undertaken several chemical cleaning and conservation efforts to prevent further corrosion. This site has now been designated as a National Heritage Object through a Decree of the Minister of Education and Culture. Security has been tightened considering its invaluable historical and material worth, and to ensure that this artifact remains in its original location as part of the local historical context.

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Unique Facts and Conclusion

One unique fact that distinguishes Nekara Selayar from other nekara is the presence of a highly detailed relief depicting an ancient ship on its body. This ship illustration provides valuable information for historians regarding shipbuilding technology in the early CE period. Furthermore, its diameter of 1.6 meters makes it the most well-preserved and largest Heger Type I specimen in Eastern Indonesia.

Gong Nekara Selayar stands as a silent monument to the grandeur of metal civilization and the vast reach of ancestral seafaring. Its presence in Selayar is a testament that this island was once an epicenter of global cultural exchange, connecting mainland Asia with the Nusantara archipelago in a harmony of trade and belief.