Black Streak on Chinese Architecture

Chinese culture is a culture that never dropped out during the year 5000 compared to other cultural excellence in the world. From architecture to culinary, abandoned the ancestors of the nation until now.

However, in the middle culture fusion, the Chinese cultural seems being forgeting. When the noodles and bakpao still enjoy, as with other architectural properties. Though the full history, now many Chinese architectural heritage that is not maintained, even vanish earth swallowed.

Chandra Naya or first called Building Sin Ming Hui, for example. Now the building is located on Jalan Gajah Mada No. 188 is not like the original. Only the main building. That has been squeezed terraced building, squeezed by time and civilization of modern society.

Similarly, with the tomb Souw Beng Kong, where the last place captain is also the first Chinese real squeezed. Before restored, the existence of the graves, located in Taruna Gang, Prince Jayakarta Street squeezed this house look untidy and dirty. Even already about 80cm below the soil surface. As if the graves of mindless, but history says another.

So also with some Chinese heritage buildings that are located in Pasar Pagi, Mangga Dua, and Senen. There, many buildings being collapsed for the development of the toll road, shops, and shopping centers.

Destruction of Chinese architecture, especially in Jakarta, not apart from their own community (including those who are called "Chinese half-breed"). Try to think, what the shop owners, traders and owners of buildings in the area Glodok, Mangga Dua, Pasar Pagi and? Most of them are called with the Chinese hybrid people are descendants of Chinese in the past.

Because business opportunities and financial interests, they are not concerned with the historical factors. Moreover, the area has potential for a very large business in Jakarta. Glodok a course such as the rotation of money has billions of rupiah per day.

While Chinese people are very honored their ancestor. They have a tradition of molasses Beng others who do not teach each individual to honor ancestors and parents to visit their grave. The main idea, because we have them, therefore we must not forget their services.

Old buildings that look distinctly Chinese obsolete, but has historical value, many being collapsed. Replaced with new buildings, modern minimalist style that looks more in line with the interests of business. They compete in the scratch Rejeki place, which should be heritage.

Architecture properties Sumintardja Djauhari the Ark, a Chinese observer architecture, is a cultural form that is easily recognized and become the image and identity of a city or the environment. That is, the identity of the property into the surrounding community, even a city like Jakarta.

If more Chinese property in the area of Mangga Dua, Glodok, and New Market being collapsed, then lost the identity of the community. In fact, from the first until now, many Chinese people who inhabit the region.

Auto Amnesia
Not only people, but also the fact tesebut not apart from the influence of the government in power. Glodok, and Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua, not the new show yesterday afternoon. Remember, the new order, Chinese culture does not sebebas like this now. New government in the Gus Dur, Barongsai and Chinese New Year does not forbidden.

This means, in the new order, culture, heritage architecture including the Chinese, may have "cleaning". Can not be protected as opposed to the policy authorities. Anyone can not protect the heritage of their country if the government does not analogous.

Another case with right now. Chinese culture began kept as other Indonesian culture. A course such as Imlek or Cap Go Meh, this culture that even many being commercial. Various schools, community groups, and even shopping centers are routine celebration each year. So also with the Chinese language, many schools and institutions that provide courses specifically learn its language.

If the policy has changed, now factor into financial problems. Although many observers of the history and architecture pour their tought to find a way how to preserve the Chinese architecture, but the allocation of maintenance costs be calculated from the government is still minimal. While the buildings did not ask for a little maintenance fund.

Unfortunatelly, but it is reality. If the government does not support the first existence of Chinese culture, it is money that is a problem. The Government of Jakarta itself is still not whole-heartedly to protect ancient Chinese architecture, which is inherited from the Century 17 and 18 this. "Not that there is adequate protection," said Djauhari.

Among the many properties of historical Chinese architecture in Jakarta. If the people want, there are still some that can be saved in the Glodok. Everything depends on the community, which would be brought to the historical-cultural heritage? Protect it and let a Chinese expression of identity or community being banished and let us suffer amnesia car, forget oneself up our own history.