Demystifying Muarajambi

Layers of evidence of religious and economic activity have been found at various temple sites: Indian-influenced bronze statues of the Buddha head, pieces of pottery from China’s early Tang dynasty, and tiles. Muarajambi was often considered mahaviharaan ancient university as well as a lost civilization. Today, its cultural heritage includes 30,000 Muslims living in eight villages in the districts of Marosebo and Taman Rajo, whose collective memory, passed down from generation to generation, keeps Muarajambi relevant to the region.

The question is, can these local communities continue to do so in the future?

Competition for land in Muarajamba has historically been intense, exacerbated by the fact that the temple complex sits atop a natural dam, leaving limited space for agriculture. New industries such as shipbuilding, coal, palm oil and plywood began to lead the way. In the 1980s, palm oil was particularly popular because farmers could harvest the oil every two weeks when the trees turned five years old. The local government gave permission to these new industries in an attempt to increase local income.

But these industries gradually became a direct threat to the preservation of the Muarajambi temple complex. Kandy Bukit Perak, also known as Bukit Sengalo, is the famous meeting place of Buddhist philosophers Dharmakirtishri and Atisha, surrounded by palm oil plantations.

In Keminking Dalam village, Kandi Teluk I and II are located next to the coal deposits near the Batangari River. Much of the coal is lignite, the ashes of which affect the brittle clay brick. It is also difficult to visit; tourists and conservationists either cross the river by boat or take a longer route, standing in line with coal trucks.

Reflecting on these ecological threats, Dr. Atmojo recalls, “We used to have a lot of clown knifefish (locally known as pallor)giant freshwater stingray, predatory wallago catfish, freshwater prawns, hornbills and thousands of parrots. Even wild boars. Everything passed in just 30 years.”