West Sumatera Earthquake

On September 30, 2009 at 05.15 PM a 7.6 SR earthquake (measured by National Body of Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics) or a 7.9 SR (by US Geological Survey) struck West Sumatra province. The tremor could be felt in other provinces (Bengkulu, West Sumatra, Aceh and other 5 provinces) and even in Malaysia and Singapore. The epicentrum was identified in 57 km south west of Pariaman District -West Sumatra province at the depth 71 km of the ocean. No tsunami warning was issued by the authorities. The earthquake was triggered by the collision of two plates: Indoeurasia and Indoaustralia (source: Islamic Relief Indonesia).

The Government has revised the official number of dead to 1,117 as this now includes the numbers of missing people that have not been found since the 30 September earthquake that wreaked havoc to West Sumatra. Figures for remote areas will not be verified until 20 October. The National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) is reporting that 198,200 households are in need of emergency shelter (source: Islamic Relief Indonesia).

The Energy Department’s Vulcanology and Disaster Mitigation Center even stated that a series of powerful and destructive earthquakes have occurred before in the area (source: vivanews).
One of the examples was the earthquake that shook Padang Panjang 83 years ago. The earthquake killed more than 354 people and knocked down thousands of houses. The earthquake also destroyed the areas around Singkarak Lake, Bukit Tinggi, Maninjau Lake, Padang Panjang, Solok Regency, Sawah Lunto and Alahan Panjang. An aftershock also damaged several parts of Singkarak Lake (source: vivanews).
Another vigorous earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter scale also attacked Kerinci (Penuh Lake) 14 years ago. As a result, 84 people died, 558 people were severely injured, 1,310 people were wounded and 7 thousand houses were wrecked (source: vivanews).
Below is the history of earthquake in West Sumatra according to the Vulcanology and Disaster Mitigation Center (source: vivanews).
1. 1/10/1822
The earthquake took place in West Sumatra. There were three shakes in Padang and thunderous sound was heard underground between Talang and Merapi Mountain.
2. 26/8/1835
The earthquake hit Padang and was resulted in minor damages and cracks on buildings.
3. 5/07/1904
The location of the earthquake was Siri Sori, West Sumatra. The earthquake led to a Tsunami on Siri Sori beach.
4. 28/6/1926
The earthquake rocked Padang Panjang. More than 354 people were killed. Damages occurred in areas near Singkarak, Bukit Tinggi, Maninjau Lake, Padang Panjang, Solok Regency, Sawah Lunto and Alahan Panjang. The aftershock busted parts of Singkarak Lake. In Agam Regency (Bukit Tinggi-Bonjol), 472 houses collapsed in 25 locations, 57 people were killed and 16 people were heavily injured. In Padang Panjang, 2,383 houses crumbled and 247 people died. Several cracks were found on the ground in Padang Panjang, Kubu Krambil and Simabur.
5. 9/6/1943
A 7.6 SR-measured earthquake attacked Singkarak. There was a 60 km-long split between Singkarak and Diatas Lake. A normal split would only be 2 meters long. A road near Salayo was shifted for 2-3 meters long.
6. 8/3/1977
The earthquake hit Pasaman. 737 houses, 1 marketplace, 7 schools, 8 mosques and 3 office buildings were damaged in Sinurat. In Talu, 245 houses, 3 houses and 8 mosques were defected. There was also a 5-75 meters long ground crack.
7. 13/11/1981
Another earthquake attacked Padang measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale, resulted in wall cracks, cupboard shifts and broken window glasses in Padang and Painan.
8. 2/7/1991
The province was once again struck with a 6.1 SR-measured earthquake. Buildings in Padang were slightly damaged. The shock was felt in Padang Panjang and Singapore.
9. 7/10/1995
A 7 SR-measured earthquake shook Kerinci (Penuh River). 84 people died. 556 people experienced serious injuries and 1310 suffered from minor injuries. 7.137 houses, transportation, irrigation, religious centers, marketplaces and shops were destroyed. The liquefaction was at Penawar village, Sitinjau Laut sub district. Cracks were found on the grounds of Sebukar village, Koto Iman, Tanjung Tanah and Kayu Aro. An avalanche occurred in Benik village, southern Kerinci Lake.
10.25/01/2003
The earthquake rocked Nagari Malalak. Approximately 80 buildings were mildly damaged in Lubuk Durian, Damar, Simik Air, Jorong Paladangan Kanagarian Malalak, Koto IV sub district, Agam Regency. The damages included wallpaper rip-off and wall cracks. It was a local earthquake in which the shock was felt by Padang Panjang and Malalak.
11. 16/2/2004
A 5.6 SR-measured hit Tanah Datar. Six people died, 10 were injured, 70 houses were damaged, and there was a blackout about 30 minutes in Tanah Datar regency. Damages also occurred in Pitalak village, Rajo Mountain, Nagari Pitala, Paninggahan, Batipuh sub district, Tanah Datar regency. There was landslide on Mount Rajo, Paninjauan. Cracks were seen on the way from Mount Rajo to Padang. The shock was strongly felt in Padang, Pariaman, Padang Panjang, Bukittinggi, Solok, Sawah Lunto, Sijunjung, Agam and Batusangkar.
12. 22/2/2004
An earthquake that measures 6 on the Richter scale shook the South Coast. One people died, 1 people was seriously wounded, 5 suffered from minor injuries, 151 buildings and houses were busted in South Coast regency. A strong shock rocked Padang up to Painan. Affected areas included: Gunung Pauh village, Taratak Paneh village, Kenagarian Amping Parak, Sutra subdistrict; Nagari Surantih, Nagari Tuik, Batang Kapas subdistrict; Kapeh Panji village, Bayang subdistrict; Ampang Pulai village, Koto XI Tarusan subdistrict, Jurai IV subdistrict, Lengayang subdistrict, Ranah Pesisir subdistrict and Linggo Sari Baganti subdistrict.
13. 9/4/2004
South Coast experienced its second earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale. Several houses were cracked in the frontier areas of Padang and South Coast regency.
14. 16/8/2009
A 6.9 SR-measured earthquake shook 32 km deep below southern Siberut Island, West Sumatra. At least 7 people were injured. A strong shock was felt in Padang.
15. 30/9/2009
An earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale hit areas around Padang Pariaman. So far, the earthquake has reportedly killed 75 people and damaged thousands of houses. Office buildings, malls and hotels were also broken. The shock was also felt in Malaysia and Singapore.

Ornaments

Each element of a rumah gadang has its own symbolic meaning, which is referred to in adat speech and aphorism. The elements of a rumah gadang includes:

• gonjong, hornlike roof structure
• singkok, triangular wall under the ends of gonjong
• pereng, shelf under
  the singkok
• anjuang, raised floor at the end of one style of rumah gadang
• dindiang ari, the walls on the side elevations
• dindiang tapi, the walls on the front and back elevations
• papan banyak, front facade
• papan sakapiang, a shelf or middle band on the periphery of he house
  
  salangko, wall enc
  losing space under a house that has been built on stilts

Some symbolisms of the house, for example, relate to the gonjong reaching to god, and the dindiang tapi, which is traditionally made of plaited strips of bamboo, symbolizing the strength and utility of the community which is formed when individual Minangkabau become part of the larger community instead of standing alone.

The pillars of the ideal rumah gadang are arranged in five rows which run the length of the house. These rows divide the interior into four long spaces called lanjar. The lanjar at the rear of the house is divided into bedrooms (ruang). According to adat, a rumah gadang must have at least five ruang, and the ideal number is nine. The other lanjar are used as a common area, called the labuah gajah (elephant road),for living and ceremonial events.

A number of rine barns (rangkiang) ideally accompany a rumah gadang, with each having a different name and function. The rangkiang sitinjau lauik, contains rice for the family, particularly for adat ceremonies. The rangkiang sitangka lapa contains rice for donation to poor villagers and for times of famine in the village. The rangkiang sibayau-bayau contains rice for the daily needs of the family.

Jam Gadang Was Closed

For the first time in history of Jam Gadang was closed at new year eve. The decision of district government of Bukittinggi make all the tourists who came to Bukittinggi confused. They came to Bukittinggi to celebrate new year eve. Not only the tourists, but also the citizens. They deplored this decision because Jam Gadang is the most popular and favourite place to spend time together with friends and family. Although the capacity of this area is not enough to accomodate thousands people who wants to celebrate new year eve. Sad? Of course. But years before, many accident happened at Jam Gadang while people celebrate new year eve and its always happened. Small place but so many visitors, from abroad and domestic.
On Wednesday, December 31st 2008 at 5.45pm, Jam Gadang closed. IT'S ALL FOR OUR SAVETY. That's the district government said. New year eve celebration held at Lapangan Kantin, Bukittinggi and Bahola place. Wide place to celebrate it. And on Thursday, January 1st 2009 at 11.30am, Jam Gadang opened formally by the Mayor of Bukittinggi, Deputy of Mayor, Functionary and ninik mamak. Finally, everyone can see the beautiful of Jam Gadang, especially at night......

Sikuai Island

There is beautiful and sophitacated island in West Sumatera, Indonesia name " SIKUAI " a private island which shine like a pearl in a beautifull white sand beach, there you can find tropical weather all year long with white sand beach just wald away, while exotic wave may exite those who craves for splashing experience.

In the island you can find natural tropical forest providing astounding atmosphere. with total area no less than 44.4 Ha, integrated with 25 cottages, restaurant, conference hall, swimming pool and jogging track surrounding the island, we are ready to pamper you with exotic natural experiences.

The tropical atmosphere by coconut tree along island, relax, calm and far from city traffic, leave all your working and came to our island. you will feel like own private island.

From Airport BIM ( Bandara International Minangkabau ) you can take Taxi or other transportation with say to go to " Dermaga Wisata Bahari in Pelabuhan Muara " most people in the airport and Padang know it. From Airport will takes 45 minute to get our office at Dermaga Wisata Bahari in Muara Port area, here the guest can relaxe and seat at AW cafe till depart to Sikuai Island by our boat ( it's take 20 minute by speedboat and 60 minute by boat ). When you arrive in the island, our staff will welcome you with fresh coconut drink while you fill the registration.

Boat Transfer Schedule

• Check in : Dermaga Wisata Bahari - Sikuai Island at 10.00 and 14.00
• Check out : Sikuai Island - Dermaga Wisata Bahari at 11.00 and 16.00

The Twin Lakes (Danau Diatas dan Dibawah)

Danau Diatas

Danau Dibawah

Lake Diatas (Indonesian:Danau Diatas, means: Upper Lake). Lake Dibawah (Indonesian:Danau Dibawah, means: Lower Lake). Solok lies on the Trans-Sumatera Highway, 64 km from Padang and 76 km from Bukittinggi. The town has some fine examples of Minangkabau architechture with horn-shaped roofs and outer walls of wood, completely carved and painted in brilliant colors. 60 km from Solok are the Twin Lakes (Diatas Lake dan Dibawah Lake), which are becoming popular as a holiday resort. Cool mountain air and beautiful landscape seen from the hill between the two lakes have made this spot extraordinary. Set only about 1 km apart, one of the lakes is on a slightly higher elevation than the other. The spot offers an impressive panorama or the surrounding countryside and offers itself excellently to hiking and camping. So, Enjoy your holiday....

Rumah Gadang

Rumah gadang (Minangkabau language : 'big house') are the traditional homes (Indonesian : 'rumah adat') of the Minangkabau. The architecture, construction, internal and external decoration, and the functions of the house reflect the culture and values of the Minangkabau. A rumah gadang serves as a residence, a hall for family meetings, and for ceremonial activities. With the Minangkabau society being matrilineal, the rumah gadang is owned by the women of the family who live there - ownership is passed from mother to daughter.

The houses have dramatic curved roof structure with multi-tired, upswept gables. Shuttered windows are built into walls incised with profuse painted floral carvings. The term rumah gadang usually refers to the larger communal homes, however, smaller single residences share many of its architectural elements.

A communal rumah gadang is a long house, rectangular in plan, with multiple gables and upsweeping ridges, forming buffalo horn-like ends. They normally have three-tiered projections, each with varying floor levels. They are broad and set on wooden piles that can reach as high as 3 meters (10 feet) off the ground; sometimes with a verandah running along the front face of the house which is used as a reception and dining area, and as a sleeping place for guests. Unlike the Toba Batak homes, where the roof essentially creates the living space, the Minangkabau roof rests on conventional walls. Cooking and storage areas are often in separate buildings.

The house is largely constructed of wood; an exception being the being the rear longitudinal wall which is a plain lattice woven in a chequered pattern from split bamboo. The roof is of a and cross-trussbeam construction, and is typically covered with thacth from the fibre of the sugar palm(ijuk), the toughest thatch material available and said to last a hundred years. The thatch is laid in bundles which can be easily fitted to the curved, multi-gabled roof. Contemporary homes, however, are more frequently using corrugated iron in place of thatch. Roof finials are formed from thatch bound by decorative metal bindings and drawn into points said to resemble buffalo horns - an allusion to a legend concerning a battle between two water buffaloes from which the 'Minangkabau' name is thought to have been derived. The roof peaks themselves are built up out of many small battens and rafters.

The women who share the house have sleeping quarters set into alcoves - traditionally odd in number - that are set in a row against the rear wall, and curtained off by the vast interior space of the main living area. Traditionally, large communal rumah gadang will be surrounded by smaller homes built for married sisters and daughters of the parent family. It is the responsibility of the women's maternal uncle to ensure that each marriageable woman in the family has a room of her own and to this end will build either a new house or more commonly additionally annexes to the original one. It is said that the number of married daughters in a home can be told by the counting its horn-like extensions; as they are not always added symmetrically, rumah gadang can sometimes look unbalanced.Adolescent boys traditionally live in the village surau, a small mosque.

In West Sumatera, we can find Rumah Gadang in many place. The most popular Rumah Gadang is in Batusangkar (Tanah Datar)-Indonesia. The name is Pagaruyung Palace.It was built in traditional Minangkabau Rumah Gadang architectural style, and its open to the public as the museum and tourist attraction.But in February 27, 2007 the palace was destroyed by fire on the evening after the roof was struck by lighting.

Lake Maninjau

Lake Maninjau (Indonesian: Danau Maninjau, Meninjau means Overlook or Observation ) is a caldera lake in West Sumatra, Indonesia. It is located 16 km to the west of Bukittinggi, at 0°19′S, 100°12′E.

The Maninjau caldera was formed by a volcanic eruption estimated to have occurred around 52,000 years ago. Deposits from the eruption have been found in a radial distribution around Maninjau extending up to 50 km to the east, 75 km to the southeast, and west to the present coastline. The deposits are estimated to be distributed over 8500 km² and have a volume of 220–250 km³. The caldera has a length of 20 km and a width of 8 km.

Lake Maninjau has an area of 99.5 km², being approximately 16 km long and 7 km wide. The average depth is 105 m, with a maximum depth of 165 m. The natural outlet for excess water is the Antokan river, located on the west side of the lake. It is the only lake in Sumatra which has a natural outlet to the west coast. Since 1983 this water has been used to generate hydroelectric power for West Sumatra.

Most of the people who live around Lake Maninjau are ethnically Minangkabau. Villages on the shores of the lake include Maninjau and Bayur.

Maninjau is a notable tourist destination in the region due to its scenic beauty and mild climate. It is also used as a site for paragliding.

The lake is used for aquaculture, using karamba floating net cages. The technique was introduced in 1992, and by 1997 there were over 2,000 cage units with over 600 households engaged. Each cage may have 3-4 production cycles each year. There is evidence of pollution around some karamba area.

On the edge of the lake, the landuse includes rice fields in the swamps and the lower slopes. The villages are bordered uphill by a large belt of forestlike tree gardens, which dissolves into the upper montane forest on the steepest parts of the slopes up to the ridge of the caldera.

The tree gardens include three typical components:

• Fruit trees including durian, jack fruit, cempedak, rambutan, langsat, golden berries and water apples.
• Timber species including Toona sinensis and Pterospermum javanicum.
• Spice trees including cinnamon, coffee, nutmeg and cardamum.

Sianok Canyon

It's a fantastic canyon. If you have a holiday, just come and see it. It's so beautiful.......

Bukittinggi, The City of Tour

Bukittinggi (Indonesian for "high hill") is one of the larger cities in West Sumatra, Indonesia, with a population of over 91,000 people and an area of 25.24 km2. It is situated in the Minangkabau highlands, 90 km by road from the West Sumatran capital city of Padang. It is located at 0°18′20″S, 100°22′9″E, near the volcanoes Mount Singgalang (inactive) and Mount Marapi (still active). At 930 m above sea level, the city has a cool climate with temperatures between 16.1°-24.9°C.

The city has its origins in five villages which served as the basis for a marketplace.

The city was known as Fort de Kock during colonial times in reference to the Dutch outpost established here in 1825 during the Padri War. The fort was founded by Captain Bauer at the top of Jirek hill and later named after the then Lieutenant Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies, Hendrik Merkus de Kock.The first road connecting the region with the west coast was built between 1833 and 1841 via the Anai Gorge, easing troop movements, cutting the costs of transportation and providing an economic stimulus for the agricultural economy.In 1856 a teacher-training college (Kweekschool) was founded in the city, the first in Sumatra, as part of a policy to provide educational opportunities to the indigenous population. A rail line connecting the city with Payakumbuh and Padang was constructed between 1891 and 1894.

During the Japanese occupation of Indonesia in World War II, the city was the headquarters for the Japanese 25th Army, the force which occupied Sumatra. The headquarters was moved to the city in April 1943 from Singapore, and remained until the Japanese surrender in August 1945.

During the Indonesian National Revolution, the city was the headquarters for the Emergency Government of the Republic of Indonesia (PDRI) from December 19, 1948 to July 13, 1949. During the second 'Police Action' Dutch forces invaded and occupied the city on December 22, 1948, having earlier bombed it in preparation. The city was surrendered to Republican officials in December 1949 after the Dutch government recognized Indonesian sovereignty.

The city was officially renamed Bukittinggi in 1949, replacing its colonial name. From 1950 until 1957, Bukittinggi was the capital city of a province called Central Sumatra, which encompassed West Sumatra, Riau and Jambi. In February 1958, during a revolt in Sumatra against the Indonesian government, rebels proclaimed the Revolutionary Government of the Republic of Indonesia (PRRI) in Bukittinggi. The Indonesian government had recaptured the town by May the same year.

lovely place

West Sumatra

Source: Wikipedia

West Sumatra
Sumatera Barat

Motto: Tuah Sakato (Minangkabau, "United Prosperity")
Capital	Padang
Governor	Gamawan Fauzi
Area	42,297.30 km2 (16,331 sq mi)
Population	4,241,000
Density	100.3 /km² (260 /sq mi)
Ethnic groups	Minangkabau (88%), Batak (4%), Javanese (4%), Mentawai (1%)
Religion	Islam (98%), Christian (1.6%), Hindu (0.0032%), Buddhism (0.26%)
Languages	Indonesian, Minangkabau, Mentawai
Time zone	WIB (UTC+7)
Web site	www.sumbarprov.go.id

West Sumatra (Indonesian: Sumatera Barat, abbreviated to Sumbar) is a province of Indonesia. It lies on the west coast of the island Sumatra, and borders the provinces of North Sumatra (Sumatera Utara) to the north, Riau and Jambi to the east, and Bengkulu to the southeast. It includes the Mentawai Islands off the coast. The capital of the province is Padang.

History

The history of West Sumatra is closely related to the history of the Minangkabau people. Archaeological evidence indicates that the area surrounding the Limapuluh Koto regency forms the first area inhabited by the Minangkabau. This interpretation seems to be justified as the area of the Limapuluh Koto regency covers a number of large rivers which meet at the eastern part of the Sumatran coastline. The rivers were known have provided important sailing transportation from the previous era to the end of the last century. The Minangkabau ancestors were believed to have arrived on this route. They sailed from Asia (Indo-China) via the South China Sea, crossing the Malacca Strait and later settled along the Kampar, Siak and Indragiri (or Kuantan) rivers. A portion of them lived and developed their culture and traits around the Limapuluh Koto regency.

The integration with migrants in the ensuing periods introduced cultural changes and an increase in population. Their settlement area gradually became diminished and eventually they spread to other parts of West Sumatra. A portion of them went to the Agam regency while others went to the now Tanah Datar regency. From those areas onward, further spread of the population occurred north of the Agam regency, in particular, the Lubuk Sikaping. Rao and Ophir districts. Most of them settled in the western area such as the coastline and some in the southern parts in Solok, Selayo and the surrounding areas of Muara and Sijunjung.

The history of the West Sumatra Province became more accessible at the time of the rule by Adityawarman. This ruler left considerable amount of evidence of himself, although he did not proclaim that he was the Minangkabau King. Adityawarman ruled Pagaruyung, a region believed by the Minangkabau to be the center of its culture. Adityawarman was the most important figure in Minangkabau history. Apart from introducing a government system by a ruling monarch, he also contributed significantly to the Minangkabau world. His most important contribution was the spread of Buddhism. This religion had a very strong influence in the Minangkabau life. The evidence of such influence found in West Sumatra today includes names such as Saruaso, Pariangan, Padang Barhalo, Candi, Biaro, Sumpur and Selo.

Since the death of Adityawarman in the middle of the 17th century the history of West Sumatra seems more complex. During that time, the connection of West Sumatra with the outside world, in particular, Aceh, became more intense. West Sumatra at that time was the political dominion of Aceh which also monopolized the economy of the area. Coupled with the intensive connection Islam entered into West Sumatra. The new faith eventually became fundamental to the social and cultural way of life in the region. Sheik Burhanuddin was regarded as the first preacher of Islam in West Sumatra. Prior to expanding the faith in the region, he was studying in Aceh.

The dominating influence of Aceh’s politics and economy did not make the people of West Sumatra happy. Ultimately, the growing dissatisfaction gave way to the acceptance of the Dutch although the presence of them also opened up a new chapter in the history of West Sumatra. The arrival of the Dutch in the region caused them to enter the era of colonialism in the very of essence of its meaning.

The first westerner to reach West Sumatra was the French explorer Jean Parmentier in 1529. However, the westerners who came for economic and political reasons were the Dutch. The Dutch commercial fleet was seen along the southern coast of West Sumatra between 1595 – 1598. Apart from the Dutch, other European nationalities also came to the region such as the Portuguese and the English.