Urban heritage

Social Aspiration and Architectural ManifestationThe Chinese of Parakan in the 19th and Early 20th Centuries

Sutrisno Murtiyoso Urban Heritage – Yogyakarta March, 30 2011



KEDU



The earliest notice of Kedu was in the Kartasura era as part of the royal domain (negarigung), which was lent to members of the aristocracy.

The land was divided into two by the river Praga which runs in north-south direction, and known as Siti Bumi and Bumija, each under two adipatis.

In 1810, Kedu was delivered to the Colonial Government and in 1818 administered under a Dutch Resident, assisted by two Javanese regents (Bupati). KRT Danuningrat in Magelang and KRTA Sumadilaga in Jetis (Parakan).

At the end of Java War (1825-1830), the boundaries between the two regencies changed from west and east into north and south halves.

More important, the seat of the Bupati was moved from Jetis/ Parakan to Temanggung in 1825, following the murder of its Regent.



PARAKAN

It is safely assumed that the Chinese came to the region as early as 18C, mostly holding and managing the various toll and levies (pacht).

The oldest artefact is a tombstone belonging to Lady Sie neé Siauw, who passed away in 1807.

When the regency was moved to safer Temanggung in 1825, the Chinese community, which was already considerable, stayed in Parakan.

However, the urban center moved 600 m. eastward, closer to the kademangan. And the modern Parakan is born!

A community administrator (officier) was established in 1837, and a temple (klenteng) was built in 1842.



Urban axis



Social Stratification in Colonial Java

Vreemde Oosterlingen

(Non-European Foreigners)

Commoners – Wong Cilik

European Officers Royal Family

Native Bureaucracy

(Priyayi Alit/ Cilik)



Reign of Jia Qing (1796-1820)VOC Downfall and bankruptcy 1800

Reign of Dao Guang (1721-1850)Hong Xiuquan Rebellion (1820-1840)The Java War (1825-1830)1825

Opium War (1840-1860)Dutch Modern Colnialism and Cultuurstelsel (1830-1870)

1840

Supremacy of the Royal Mother (1874)Economic Liberation (1870)1870

Disintegration of the Qing EmpireThe rise of modern nationalism

Intense communication with ChinaQing Empire acknowledged Chinese overseas

Reign of Jia Qing (1796-1820)Bankruptcy and fall of VOC1800

HISTORICAL TIME LINE: JAVA - CHINA



House A

There is no authentic record on the time of the building. The late owner only said that this house was built by his great grandfather who passed away in 1854, according to the hoenpeh that was kept by the family. So it's safe to assume that this house was built before 1850, perhaps even before 1840.

The house is situated far west of Parakan, just 200 m. from Jetis, the old Kadipaten, so the area might be the old Chinese quarter.

The present owner is of the sixth generation.



House B

All we know is that this house was part of family inheritance in the 1890's. It must be built between 1864, the year of the death of the totok grandfather and 1890.

The compound consists of three buildings in line with their axis forming a straight corridor, which is quite unusual to both Javanese and Chinese.

The inner corridors are designed in an arch, also an alien feature in Java. This is Indisch architecture at its best!



House C

The only one with authentication. This vast family house was finished in the 1905, according to the date found on a congratulatory board-pair (twie lian).

The present building was renovated in the 2006, and became the best preserved Chinese house in Parakan.



House D

What we see today is the result of a massive rebuilding of the main building in the last decade of the 19C. The owner has just came back from China to attend to his father's death.

This compound is extensive, behind the main building there are three more building behind it in a row.



UP TO MID 19C Local Javanese influences in layout Society's elite was the Javanese Adhipati Almost no European was present in Parakan

SUMMARY

1850-1890 The rise of the Indisch eclectic style Development of public infrastructure, along with crop transportation Regional communication and interaction

1890-1930 Imitation of Chinese architecture New awareness and pride of becoming Chinese Globalization



Regional history and social changes left deep impression on people's perception of social stratification.

CONCLUSIONS

The importance of researching local history in understanding architectural and urban heritage.

Only the middle-class people could afford to aspire to their ideals architecturally.



Let's call it a day!

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