Museum Balanga
Following the information that i wrote about Palangka Raya in my previous posting, spesifically i would like to write regarding the Museum. Because for me a museum is very crucial, to know, to undertsand the local’s tradition. Therefore i do it separately. Because for me this museum is very special.
Museum Balanga is the name of the museum taken from one of its collection, located at Jalan Tjilik Riwut this museum is actually easy to find due to the location is on the main road but unfortunately some people have no idea where the museum is, especially the locals. For me museum is one of the “MUST VISIT” whenever i visiting a city or country because once again i want to know how they lived in the past. From there we can learn how things were going, and how much it has change this past few years.
I were surprised when i enter the site, they have big but empty yard, there are few things, but for me they were not outstanding, they should’ve put something more eye catching and attract people to come. Surprisingly, there were one staff incharge on that day and she was not Indonesian, her name is Karen and she is from Australia. I can tell how much she loves what she is doing and how much she loves the culture. This is something that i envy her, where all the young generation of ours trying to living like western or being Korean these days, she loves our culture more than we do, but once again i can’t blame this generation, because internet giving them chance to explore the world more, and what we have right infront of our nose just forgotten like that. There were few separated bulding but i really have no idea whats inside, we went to backyard, where the museum is located, the 2 storeys building. On the first floor we can find the information about Kalimantan Tengah generally and about the Dayaks. The birth of a baby, giving them name, traditional healing, and the end of life or simply we called the dead. It was intruguing, how they really loves the nature, by the pictures and explanation available on the site. And also we can find Balanga itself. From Karen i knew that Balanga is very crucial for them, it is very sacred. Anyway Balanga means Big Jar if i am not wrong. On the second floor we can find information about how they live, the houses, and all the stuff, i didn’t focus on the second floor due to condensation, so i guess i have to come back to see what the museum has to offer.
This air conditioned museum is quite good, they just need more additional stuff, they do have all the collection needed by a museum, but i hope that people will give their collection in order for visitors to see more. Because its too empty. Being in this museum somehow giving me comfort, something sacred, i don/t know what it was. Even though the electricity were down, it was not that hot inside.
It is very enchanting, and i hope more people will come and visit the museum. They are open everyday except Saturday and Sunday and anyway the entrance ticket is very cheap for locals / Indonesian which is only IDR 2500 and even cheaper for students. And for foreigners they charge IDR 15.000 which is very cheap if we compared to other museums in the other country. Having their own website or facebook and other social medias would be great in order for people from outside of the city learn about the museums.