Tanah Bumbu

History

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History and Development of Tanah Bumbu Regency

Tanah Bumbu, now a pillar of the economy in South Kalimantan, has deep historical roots, stretching from the era of traditional kingdoms to its transformation into a modern regency. Strategically located in the central part of the southeastern coast of Kalimantan, this region of 4,858.52 km² directly borders Kotabaru Regency to the north and east, Tanah Laut Regency to the west, and Banjar Regency to the northwest.

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Origins and the Nusantara Kingdom Era

Historically, the Tanah Bumbu region was part of a confederation of small kingdoms under the influence of the Banjar Sultanate. The name "Tanah Bumbu" refers to an area once inhabited by the indigenous Dayak people and migrants from Sulawesi, particularly the Bugis. In the 18th century, this region became an important trading center. One of the most crucial historical fragments is the establishment of the Kingdom of Pagatan in the 1750s by La Pangewa, a Bugis nobleman granted the territory by the Sultan of Banjar for his service in repelling pirate attacks. The cultural interaction between the local Dayak people, the Banjar ethnic group, and the Bugis migrants formed the cosmopolitan foundation of Tanah Bumbu from ancient times.

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Colonial Era and People's Resistance

During the Dutch colonial period, Tanah Bumbu became a contested area due to its rich natural resources. The colonial government implemented a control system through the Afdeeling Pasir en de Tanah Boemboe. During this time, the region was divided into several autonomous regions or Landschap, such as Pagatan, Kusan, Batulicin, and Cantung. Resistance against the Dutch was recorded in various local skirmishes, where local religious leaders and nobles rejected the trade monopoly system implemented by both the VOC and the Dutch East Indies government.

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Independence Era and Regency Formation

After the proclamation of Indonesian independence in 1945, political dynamics in Tanah Bumbu continued to evolve. Initially, this region was part of Kotabaru Regency. However, with the increasing population and the need for accelerated development, strong aspirations arose from community leaders like dr. H. Sulaiman Umar and others to split off. A historic moment occurred on April 8, 2003, when Tanah Bumbu was officially established as an independent regency through Law Number 2 of 2003. Batulicin was designated as the capital, which has now developed into a rapidly growing business and government center.

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Cultural Heritage and Local Identity

Tanah Bumbu possesses a very unique cultural heritage, namely the tradition of Mappanretasi (Sea Festival). This ritual is a form of gratitude from the fishing community in Pagatan, practiced for generations over hundreds of years. Historically, this ceremony reflects the cultural syncretism of the Bugis and local Banjar communities. Additionally, historical sites such as the Tombs of the Kings of Pagatan serve as physical evidence of the glory of local governance in the past.

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Modern Development and Future

Today, Tanah Bumbu has transformed from a forest and swamp area into a national powerhouse in the coal mining and oil palm plantation industries. The Batulicin ferry port serves as a vital transportation artery connecting the island of Kalimantan with Sulawesi, reinforcing its role as a cardinal meeting point in the archipelago. With a strong history, Tanah Bumbu continues to maintain a balance between industrial modernity and the preservation of its noble traditional values.