Ing Hok Kiong Temple

The Grand Footprint of Ing Hok Kiong Temple: A Symbol of History and Harmony in Rokan Hilir

Ing Hok Kiong Temple is more than just a place of worship; it is a silent witness to the transformation of Bagansiapiapi from a small fishing village into one of the world's largest fish producers in its time. Located in the heart of the Rokan Hilir Regency capital, Riau Province, this temple holds the distinction of being the oldest temple in the region, preserving a long narrative of migration, steadfast faith, and cultural assimilation that shaped the identity of Riau's coastal communities.

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Origins and Founding History

The historical roots of Ing Hok Kiong Temple are inseparable from the migration waves of Chinese people from Tong'an district, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China. In the late 19th century, specifically around 1823, a group of migrants using wooden boats (tongkang) fled the chaos in their homeland. According to local legend, during their perilous journey across the Strait of Malacca, they brought with them the statue of the deity Ki Hu Ong Ya.

The light from the mainland then guided them to the mouth of the Rokan River, which would later be known as Bagansiapiapi. As a token of gratitude for their safety, these immigrants built a simple place of worship from wood and nipa palm roofing. The permanent structure of Ing Hok Kiong Temple that we see today began to be built gradually from 1823, making it one of the oldest functioning buildings in Rokan Hilir to this day. The name "Ing Hok Kiong" itself has a deep etymological meaning: Ing means "Many," Hok means "Blessings," and Kiong means "Palace." Collectively, this name symbolizes the hope for a "Palace that Brings Many Blessings."

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Magnificent Architecture and Construction Details

Architecturally, Ing Hok Kiong Temple adopts a strong Southern Chinese traditional style, particularly the Hokkien architectural style. The unique feature of this building lies in its early construction technique, which did not use iron nails but rather a precise wooden peg system.

The roof is saddle-shaped (Ngo-cho) with facing dragon ornaments (dragons playing with a pearl), symbolizing protection and prosperity. The color red dominates the entire building as a symbol of happiness and good fortune, combined with gold accents symbolizing glory. In front of the main gate, there are a pair of stone lion statues (Cishi) that serve as spiritual guardians.

Inside the building, there are large pillars adorned with Chinese calligraphy (Couplets) containing teachings of virtue. The temple ceiling is filled with intricate wood carvings, depicting Chinese mythology and flora and fauna with symbolic meanings. One of the most prominent elements is the main altar where the deity Ki Hu Ong Ya resides, surrounded by genuine gold-plated carvings—a testament to Bagansiapiapi's prosperity during the golden age of its fishing industry.

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Historical Significance and Key Events

Ing Hok Kiong Temple has a close connection to global historical events. In the early 20th century, when Bagansiapiapi was crowned the second-largest fish port in the world after Bergen in Norway, this temple became the social gravity center for the Chinese community. All important decisions related to fish trade and community policies were often deliberated in the vicinity of the temple.

One little-known unique fact is the temple's role during the Japanese occupation and the independence revolution. The building once served as a refuge for civilians and became a symbol of the local community's resilience. Furthermore, Ing Hok Kiong Temple is the central point of the "Bakar Tongkang Ritual" (Go Ge Cap Lak), an annual ceremony commemorating the arrival of the ancestors in Bagansiapiapi. Although this ritual was banned during the New Order era, the temple stood strong, secretly preserving the tradition until the festival was eventually recognized again as a national tourism agenda.

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Figures and Cross-Generational Influence

The existence of Ing Hok Kiong Temple is inseparable from the role of community elders or Kapitan Cina appointed during the Dutch colonial era to manage the affairs of the Chinese community in Rokan Hilir. These figures ensured that the temple not only functioned as a place of worship but also as a philanthropic institution that assisted new immigrants arriving without provisions.

The influence of this temple extends beyond Riau's administrative boundaries. Many successful entrepreneurs from Bagansiapiapi who have migrated to Jakarta or abroad continue to make significant contributions to the temple's maintenance, demonstrating an unbroken emotional and historical bond with their ancestral homeland.

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Preservation and Restoration Efforts

As a Cultural Heritage Site, Ing Hok Kiong Temple has undergone several restoration phases. The restorations were carried out with great care to maintain the authenticity of its materials. Old, decaying wood was replaced with high-quality wood brought in specifically to match its original specifications. The Rokan Hilir Regency government, along with the temple foundation management, regularly maintains the ornamental parts and repaints using traditional techniques so that the carving details are not covered by thick paint.

The Riau Provincial Government has designated the area around the temple as a cultural heritage zone. This aims to prevent the construction of modern buildings that could damage the aesthetics and integrity of the temple's historical structure. The success of this preservation makes Ing Hok Kiong Temple appear grand and authentic, as if time has stopped there.

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Current Cultural and Religious Significance

For the people of Bagansiapiapi, Ing Hok Kiong Temple is the heart of diversity. Although it is a place of worship for Taoist, Confucian, and Buddhist followers, its presence is respected by all heterogeneous residents of Rokan Hilir. This temple is a symbol of religious tolerance in the Land of Malay.

Every Lunar New Year and Cap Go Meh celebration, the temple becomes a center of festivity, attended not only by the Chinese ethnic group but also enjoyed by Malay, Javanese, and Batak residents as a cultural attraction. The Bakar Tongkang ritual, centered here, has now become one of Indonesia's international tourist attractions, drawing tens of thousands of foreign tourists annually, while significantly boosting the local economy.

In conclusion, Ing Hok Kiong Temple is not just a monument of the past. It is a living narrative of how a community can survive, adapt, and contribute to Indonesia's cultural richness. Its existence reminds us that the history of Rokan Hilir is built on a foundation of diversity and the tireless spirit of hard work of its predecessors.