Sendawar Kingdom Site

Tracing the Footsteps of Dayak Civilization: The Sendawar Kingdom Site in West Kutai

Situs Kerajaan Sendawar is not merely a collection of artifacts or remnants of ancient structures; it is the epicenter of the collective memory of the Dayak people in East Kalimantan. Located in West Kutai Regency, this site stands as a silent testament to the existence of a great civilization that once dominated the interior of the Mahakam River long before the influence of colonialism or coastal kingdoms grew strong.

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Historical Origins and Formation Period

The Sendawar Kingdom is believed to be the progenitor of the Tunjung (Rentenuukng) and Benuaq Dayak groups. Based on oral traditions and local historical records, this kingdom reached its peak glory around the 13th to 15th centuries AD. The name "Sendawar" itself refers to a fertile region that served as a meeting point for river trade routes.

The formation of Sendawar was rooted in the migration of Dayak groups seeking areas with abundant natural resources. The central figures often associated with the establishment of the socio-political foundation in this region are Aji Tulur Jejangkat and his wife, Mook Manaar Bulat. This legendary couple is considered the ancestor of seven major tribes in East Kalimantan, including the Dayak people who later established a political entity in Sendawar.

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Traditional Architecture and Construction Details

Unlike kingdoms in Java that used andesite stone or red bricks, the Sendawar Kingdom Site showcases characteristic Dayak architecture based on ulin wood (Eusideroxylon zwageri). This ironwood was chosen for its resistance to extreme tropical climates and high humidity on the banks of the Mahakam.

At this site, construction remnants indicate the use of giant piles supporting Lamin or longhouses. The building structures in Sendawar were designed with a very high stilt concept, serving as a defense against wild animals and river floods. The carved ornaments on the remaining wood show motifs of tali nyawa (life rope) and flora-fauna typical of West Kutai, symbolizing the harmonious relationship between humans, nature, and ancestral spirits. The use of wooden pegs without iron nails is evidence of the sophisticated carpentry skills of the Sendawar people at that time.

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Historical Significance and Important Events

The Sendawar Kingdom Site held crucial geopolitical significance in its era. It served as the main gateway for trade of interior commodities such as swiftlet nests, damar resin, rattan, and gold. Diplomatic relations between Sendawar and the Kutai Kartanegara Kingdom downstream of the Mahakam were often colored by dynamics between friendship and power struggles.

One of the most prominent historical events was an internal schism that led to a massive migration from Sendawar. This conflict triggered the birth of new settlements that would later become the precursors to large villages in West Kutai. This site became the Ground Zero for the spread of Tunjung and Benuaq Dayak culture throughout East Kalimantan.

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Important Figures and Historical Period Connections

Besides Aji Tulur Jejangkat, names like Suta Suda and other clan leaders often appear in the historical narratives of Sendawar. The Sendawar period is also closely related to the transition of the community's beliefs from pure animism towards external influences. Although Hindu-Buddhist influences had touched this region through the Mahakam trade routes, Sendawar managed to maintain its original identity, which was deeply rooted in customary law.

In the chronology of Kalimantan's history, the Sendawar period is parallel to the golden age of the Majapahit Kingdom in Java. Some oral traditions even mention indirect contact between the rulers of Sendawar and envoys from across the sea, which enriched the local cultural heritage without erasing the Dayak identity.

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Preservation and Restoration Efforts

Currently, the Sendawar Kingdom Site is under the supervision of the West Kutai Regency Government and the Cultural Heritage Preservation Center. Restoration efforts are ongoing, although the main challenge is the weathering of the ulin wood material, which is hundreds of years old. The local government has built replicas of buildings and fenced off the core area of the site to prevent damage.

Archaeological excavations around the site frequently uncover ceramic fragments from the Ming and Song Dynasties, strengthening the evidence that Sendawar was a cosmopolitan river port. Preservation efforts focus not only on the physical structures but also on the revitalization of Adat Sendawar (Sendawar Customary Law) values through annual cultural festivals.

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Cultural and Religious Significance

For the local community, the Sendawar Kingdom Site is a sacred place. It often serves as the location for Laliq customary ceremonies or rituals of ancestor veneration. In Dayak cosmology, Sendawar is considered the land of origin where the spirits of the ancestors remain to watch over their descendants.

The existence of this site also forms the basis of identity for West Kutai Regency, often nicknamed "Bumi Tanaa Purai Ngeriman." The values of mutual cooperation and local wisdom in forest management practiced since the Sendawar Kingdom era are now intangible cultural heritage that continues to be promoted as part of historical tourism attractions.

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Unique Historical Fact: "Mook Manaar Bulat"

One unique fact that is not widely known is that from the womb of Sendawar culture, the concept of ethnic diversity in East Kalimantan was born. The legend of Mook Manaar Bulat tells that from her descendants, seven different ethnic groups emerged and spread to various regions. This makes the Sendawar Kingdom Site not just the property of one tribe, but a symbol of unity for the Dayak people and other ethnic groups in East Kalimantan. Furthermore, the customary law system established in Sendawar in the past was known to be very progressive in regulating land ownership rights and forest protection, the traces of which can still be found in the customary law practices of the West Kutai community to this day.