Asal Usul Pulau Batam - Sejarah Legenda Pulau Batam

Summary

The video shares the fascinating legend behind the origin of Batam Island. It tells the story of a renowned Bugis-Makassar navigator, Qari Abdul Malik, who, while sailing from Siantan to Penang, encountered a storm near Bintan. His crew accidentally struck a sharp, thorny piece of wood, which led to the discovery of a river filled with these 'thorny woods.' This incident gave rise to the name 'Sungai Duriang Kang' (Thorn River) and eventually the island was referred to as 'Pulau Batam.' Over time, the name evolved into 'Batam,' which stuck, marking the island's rich cultural and historical roots.

Takeaways

• 😀 The legend explains the origin of Batam Island's name, which is linked to a sea captain's journey.
• 😀 Qari Abdul Malik, a Bugis-Makassar captain, sailed from Siantan to Pulau Penang and was known for his skills in navigation and astronomy.
• 😀 During his voyage, the ship encountered a fierce storm that blew it off course near Pulau Bintan.
• 😀 The captain ordered his crew to steer the ship right to avoid obstacles, but they unknowingly approached a river with submerged wooden trunks.
• 😀 The ship collided with sharp, spiky tree trunks, which led to the discovery of 'langkang kayu Berduri' (spiked wooden trunks) in the river.
• 😀 The name 'Sungai Duriangkang' (River of Spiked Wood) was later given to the river where the incident occurred.
• 😀 After the storm passed, the captain continued his journey and eventually arrived at Pulau Batam.
• 😀 The captain explained his ordeal to the merchants, and the island was initially referred to as 'Batan' because of the spiked wooden trunks.
• 😀 Over time, the name 'Batan' evolved into 'Batam,' making it easier to pronounce.
• 😀 The island's name and its legend reflect the historical significance of the captain's maritime journey and the obstacles he faced during his voyage.

Q & A

What is the origin of the name 'Pulau Batam'?

The name 'Pulau Batam' originates from an event during a sea voyage by a ship captain named Qari Abdul Malik. During his journey, the ship hit a sharp wooden log in the river, which was referred to as 'langkan kayu berduri'. This event led to the name 'Pulau Batan' being associated with the island, which later evolved into 'Pulau Batam'.

Who was Qari Abdul Malik?

Qari Abdul Malik was a renowned captain of Bugis-Makassar descent who had settled in Tarempa. He was known for his expertise in navigation and his deep knowledge of the stars. His religious knowledge earned him the title 'Qari', which reflects his position in the Muslim community.

What was Qari Abdul Malik's journey about?

Qari Abdul Malik was sailing from Siantan to Pulau Penang. During this voyage, his ship encountered a storm, which led to a series of events that eventually contributed to the naming of Pulau Batam.

What happened during the storm Qari Abdul Malik faced?

During the storm, the ship was pushed off course by strong winds, and the captain and his crew found themselves near the shores of Bintan. They avoided landing immediately due to thick fog and darkness. The captain then attempted to navigate using the stars but had difficulty seeing them because of the storm.

How did Qari Abdul Malik try to navigate during the storm?

Qari Abdul Malik ordered his helmsman to steer the ship to the right to avoid rocks. However, due to the strong winds, the captain's commands and the crew's understanding were slightly miscommunicated, leading to the naming of nearby places like 'Pulau Ngenang' based on what the crew heard.

What is the significance of 'Pulau Ngenang' in the story?

The island, originally intended to be avoided due to dangerous rocks, was named 'Pulau Ngenang' due to a misunderstanding in communication. The captain had meant to say 'turn right', but the crew misheard it as 'Pulau Ngenang'.

What happened when the ship encountered the river?

The ship eventually entered a calm river where the crew rowed the boat through the still waters. However, the ship struck a sharp, thorny log in the river, causing panic among the crew and ultimately leading to the name 'Sungai Duriangkang', after the thorny logs that were found in the water.

Why was the river where the ship stopped called 'Sungai Duriangkang'?

'Sungai Duriangkang' was named after the thorny logs (langkan kayu berduri) that the ship struck in the river. The logs were hard and dangerous, and the incident left a strong impression on the captain and crew, leading to the river's name.

What is the connection between 'Pulau Batan' and 'Pulau Batam'?

Initially, the island was referred to as 'Pulau Batan', which was derived from the word 'Batan' meaning a piece of wood or thorny log. Over time, this name evolved into 'Pulau Batam', likely due to the ease of pronunciation.

What does the story suggest about the evolution of place names?

The story illustrates how place names can evolve over time due to pronunciation changes, misunderstandings, and local influences. The name 'Pulau Batam' is a result of the original name 'Pulau Batan' becoming more phonetically appealing and easier to say for the locals.