Mulawarman Museum

The Grand Traces of the Sultanate at Mulawarman Museum: Epicenter of Kutai Kartanegara's History

Mulawarman Museum is not just a building that stores artifacts; it is a living monument that encapsulates the long journey of civilization in East Kalimantan. Standing majestically in Tenggarong City, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, this museum occupies the former palace of the Kutai Kartanegara Ing Martadipura Sultanate, one of the oldest and most influential political entities in the Nusantara.

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Historical Origins and Founding Period

The historical roots of Mulawarman Museum cannot be separated from the political transformation of the Kutai Sultanate. The building we see today is actually the third permanent palace built by the sultanate. The previous palaces, made of ironwood, were damaged and deemed necessary to be replaced with more modern and fire-resistant buildings in line with the times.

The construction of this building began in 1932 during the reign of Sultan Adji Muhammad Parikesit, the 21st Sultan of Kutai Kartanegara. The Dutch Colonial Government, through its architects, contributed to the design of this building, which was finally completed and inaugurated in 1936 as Paleis van den Sultan van Koetei. After Indonesia's independence, specifically on November 25, 1971, this palace building was officially handed over by Sultan Adji Muhammad Parikesit to the East Kalimantan Provincial Government to be used as a museum, which was then inaugurated by the then Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Fuad Hassan.

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Architecture: A Blend of European Modernity and Local Symbolism

Architecturally, Mulawarman Museum exhibits a strong colonial style with an Art Deco touch adapted to the tropical climate. The building is dominated by a clean white color, giving an impression of grandeur and authority. Its main structure is made of reinforced concrete, a construction innovation of its time that distinguished it from traditional Kalimantan buildings which were generally made of wood.

The museum floors are covered with high-quality marble imported directly from Europe. One of the striking features is the presence of large pillars supporting the front terrace, creating a spacious open area for air circulation. Inside, the museum's layout retains the original palace structure, with a grand reception room (Singgasana), the sultan's bedroom, and a banquet hall now used as the main exhibition space. In the front yard, there is a statue of Lembuswana, a mythological creature that is the symbol of the Kutai Sultanate, which has a lion's head, an elephant's trunk, Garuda's wings, and fish scales—a symbol of deep cultural syncretism.

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Historical Significance and Important Events

This museum holds the legal status of a vital cultural heritage site because it preserves the traces of the Kutai Martadipura Kingdom (the oldest Hindu kingdom in Indonesia) and the Kutai Kartanegara Sultanate. Here are preserved replicas of the Yupa, stone inscriptions written in Pallava script and Sanskrit from the 4th century AD, which are authentic evidence of the beginning of the historical era (written era) in the Nusantara.

An important event associated with this location is the transition of power from traditional monarchy to integration with the Republic of Indonesia. The handover of the palace to become a museum in 1971 marked the willingness of the royal family to share their ancestral heritage with the public for the sake of education and the preservation of national identity.

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Iconic Figures and Collections

The central figure whose name is immortalized as the museum's name is King Mulawarman, the greatest king of the Kutai Martadipura Kingdom, known for his generosity in donating 20,000 cows to the Brahmins. However, physically, this museum more reflects the era of Sultan Adji Muhammad Parikesit.

The collections within the museum are very specific and priceless. Among them are the Sultan's gold-plated Throne, the Sultan's original crown (a replica is displayed here, the original is in the National Museum of Jakarta), as well as various royal jewelry such as the Kalung Uncal. This gold necklace adorned with Ramayana reliefs is an attribute of greatness that is said to exist only two in the world; one in India and one in Kutai. In addition, there are collections of ancient ceramics from the Ming, Qing, and Yuan dynasties, proving that Kutai has been an international trade hub since centuries ago.

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Preservation and Restoration Efforts

As a national-level historical site, Mulawarman Museum is under the strict supervision of the Cultural Preservation Center. Restorations are carried out periodically with the principle of maintaining material authenticity. The biggest challenge in this preservation is the high humidity of Kalimantan's air, which can damage concrete structures and organic collections such as ancient manuscripts and Ulap Doyo woven fabrics.

In recent years, the local government has revitalized the garden area and accessibility for people with disabilities without altering the original facade of the building. Digitization of collections has also begun so that historical data remains stored even if physical artifacts undergo natural aging.

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Cultural and Religious Relevance

Culturally, Mulawarman Museum is the center of the Erau traditional ceremony, the largest annual cultural festival in East Kalimantan. The "Belimbur" ceremony and the sacred Naga procession always originate from or begin in the museum's environment. This shows that the museum is not just a place for storing inanimate objects, but a sacred space where Kutai's spiritual traditions and customs are still practiced to this day.

The presence of the tombs of the Kutai Sultans to the north of the museum building adds a religious dimension to the site. Pilgrims come from various parts of Kalimantan to pay their respects, making the Mulawarman Museum complex a meeting point between political history, ethnic pride, and the spirituality of the local community. With all its rich narratives, Mulawarman Museum stands tall as the gatekeeper of time, connecting the glory of ancient Hinduism with the modern future of Kalimantan.