Everything about West Sumatra totally explained
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 didn't 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 didn't 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.
Geography
West Sumatra lies in the middle of the western coast of
Sumatra, and has an area of 42,297.30 km². Geographic features include
plains, mountainous volcanic highlands formed by the
Barisan mountain range that runs from north-west to south-east, and an offshore island archipelago called the
Mentawai Islands. The West Sumatran coastline faces the
Indian Ocean and stretches 375 km from
North Sumatra province in the north-west to
Bengkulu in the south-east. The lakes of West Sumatra include:
Maninjau (99.5 km²),
Singkarak (130.1 km²),
Diatas (31.5 km²),
Dibawah (14.0 km²),
Talang (5.0 km²). The rivers of West Sumatra include:
Kuranji,
Anai,
Ombilin,
Suliki,
Arau. The mountains & volcanoes of West Sumatra include:
Marapi (2,891 m),
Sago (2,271 m),
Singgalang (2,877 m),
Talakmau (2,912 m),
Talang (2,572 m),
Tandikat (2,438 m).
Flora and fauna
The province includes large areas of dense tropical forest, which is home to a host of species including:
Rafflesia arnoldii (world's largest flower),
Sumatran Tiger,
Siamang,
Malayan tapir,
Sumatran Serow,
Rusa Deer,
Malayan Sun Bear,
Bornean Clouded Leopard, and many birds and butterflies.
The province includes two National Parks:
Siberut National Park and
Kerinci Seblat National Park, as well as a number of nature reserves: Rimbo Panti Nature Reserve, Batang Palupuh Nature Reserve, Lembah Anai Nature Reserve, Lembah Harau Nature Reserve, Bung Hatta Grand Forest Park, Beringin Sakti Nature Reserve.
Transport
The province is served by the newly-opened
Minangkabau International Airport, 23 km north-west of
Padang in
Ketaping,
Padang Pariaman regency.
Significant roads include the
Trans-Sumatran Highway which runs through the province and heads north-west towards
Medan and south-east towards
Jakarta, the road between
Padang and
Bukittinggi, and the road between
Bukittinggi and
Pekanbaru. The provincial government plans to upgrade the later two roads over the next few years to improve traffic flows
(External Link
).
Regular bus services run between
Padang and
Bukittinggi, and other major cities of
Sumatra. Other public transport options within the province include
oplet,
taxi and horse cart (
bendi).
The
Teluk Bayur port in
Padang is the largest and busiest on the western coast of
Sumatra. It is used for exporting goods from West Sumatra as well as from some areas of the neighboring provinces.
Administrative areas
West Sumatra consists of the following cities:
People
The
Minangkabau people inhabit the area of West Sumatra province on the island Sumatra. They are predominantly
Muslim, and they've a reputation throughout Indonesia as traders.
They are generally polite and welcome tourists and other travellers. One of the famous festivals is
Tabuik.
Mentawaians live on the Mentawai Islands, off the western coast of Sumatra, that are also part of the province. They speak
Mentawai languages, which are not intelligible with either Indonesian nor Minangkabau. Most of the Mentawais are
Christians nowadays.
Sport
West Sumatra is also home of several professional
soccer clubs. The most popular of them is
Semen Padang, which regularly plays its matches in
Agus Salim Stadium. The biggest stadium in West Sumatra
Tourism
The prime tourist attractions of West Sumatra are the natural environment, and the culture and history of the
Minangkabau and
Mentawai people.
Natural attractions of the mainland include the tropical forests, mountains, volcanos, lakes, valleys, rivers & waterfalls in the highlands, the fauna and flora, and the beaches around
Padang. Many areas are protected as part of National Parks and Reserves.
The city of
Bukittinggi is a popular central location in the highlands from which to explore the culture and history of the
Minangkabau people, including architecture, crafts, dances, music and food. There are a number of museums and cultural centers.
The
Mentawai Islands are a popular destination for surfers and those looking to experience the culture and more primitive lifestyle of the Mentawai people.
Further Information
Get more info on 'West Sumatra'.
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