National Museum of Transmigration

Historical Origins and Founding Period

The historical roots of this museum are inseparable from the Kolonisatie (Colonization) policy initiated by the Dutch East Indies Government in the early 20th century. On December 12, 1905, 155 families (approximately 815 people) from Kedu, Central Java, were dispatched to Gedong Tataan, Lampung. This event marked the beginning of transmigration history in the archipelago.

The idea to establish this museum emerged as a form of tribute to these pioneers. The physical construction of the museum began in 2004 on approximately five hectares of land. The location in Bagelen Village was chosen strategically because this village was the first settlement resulting from the Dutch colonization program. The name "Bagelen" itself was taken from the name of the transmigrants' region of origin in Central Java to alleviate their longing for their hometown. The museum was officially opened to the public to document Lampung's transformation from wilderness into a food granary and a center of multiculturalism.

Architecture and Construction Details

Architecturally, the National Museum of Transmigration showcases the grandeur of its main building, which blends modern elements with local symbolism. The two-story main building features a roof adopting the shape of the Siger, a Lampung bride's crown symbolizing honor and social status. The use of the Siger ornament emphasizes that although the history presented is about population movement from outside the island, this site remains firmly rooted in Lampung's identity as the host.

The museum complex is designed with a concept of spacious open areas. The interior of the main building is divided into several thematic galleries that follow a chronological flow. The building's construction uses sturdy concrete materials while still allowing for good air circulation through large windows, creating a reflective atmosphere for visitors. In the outdoor area, there are replicas of transmigrant houses from various periods, offering a visual representation of the evolution of the settlers' living standards.

Historical Significance and Related Events

The primary significance of this museum lies in its ability to capture three major eras of transmigration: The Colonization Era (1905-1941), the Early Independence Transmigration Era (1950s), and the New Order Transmigration Era. The museum records how this program was not just about relocating people to reduce population density on Java Island, but also a strategy for defense, security, and equitable economic development.

One of the historical events recorded is "Transmigrasi Bedol Desa" (Village Relocation Transmigration), where the entire population of a village was moved due to the construction of a large dam or natural disasters in Java. The museum holds data on how thousands of people had to leave their ancestral lands for national interests and start new lives in the wilderness of Lampung with simple farming tools.

Important Figures and Unique Collections

The history of this museum is closely linked to figures such as H.G. Heyting, the Dutch assistant resident who initiated the first relocation in 1905. In the post-independence era, this policy was continued by President Soekarno, who viewed transmigration as a tool to strengthen national unity through the motto "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" (Unity in Diversity).

Unique collections that are major attractions include:

• Transportation Tools: Replicas of steamships and ox carts used by transmigrants to reach remote areas of Lampung.
• Household Appliances: Oil lamps (teplok), charcoal irons, and kitchenware from the 1900s.
• Authentic Documents: Passenger lists of the first colonization ships and maps of early settlement layouts.
• Agricultural Tools: Wooden plows (luku) and rice pounding tools that bear silent witness to the transmigrants' struggle to clear land.

Preservation Status and Restoration Efforts

The National Museum of Transmigration is managed under the auspices of the Lampung Provincial Government with support from the Ministry of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration. As a historical site that is relatively young in terms of building age but old in terms of narrative, preservation efforts are focused on digitizing old archives to prevent them from being damaged by age.

Restoration is carried out periodically on replicas of traditional houses in the outdoor area that are frequently exposed to the weather. In addition, the local government continues to strive to enrich its collection by tracing artifacts left by first-generation transmigrant families still residing in villages around Pesawaran.

Cultural Importance and Social Integration

This museum holds very high cultural value as it represents the process of "Lampungization" experienced by the Javanese, Sundanese, and Balinese descendant communities. It illustrates how cultural assimilation occurred; for example, the use of the Javanese language with a Lampung dialect or the fusion of culinary traditions.

Religiously, the museum also records the development of places of worship in transmigration areas. Often, the construction of mosques, churches, or temples was the top priority for transmigrants after building their homes, indicating that spirituality was the foundation of their strength in facing the harshness of their new environment.

Unique Historical Facts

One rarely known unique fact is that Bagelen Village in Pesawaran was the first village outside Java Island to have a technical irrigation system resembling those in Java, built by early transmigrants with the assistance of the colonial government. The museum documents how the paddy farming expertise brought from Java succeeded in transforming Lampung's ecosystem, which was previously dominated by pepper plantations and forests, into productive rice fields.

Furthermore, the museum records the phenomenon of "Jawa-Lampung" or Jadel (Javanese Born in Lampung), a new cultural identity born from the transmigration program. The National Museum of Transmigration is not just a place to store antiques, but a monument of respect for those who exchanged comfort in their homeland for uncertainty in a land of hope, in order to build a broader future for Indonesia.