Rengat is a sub-district as well as the capital Indragiri Hulu, Riau, Indonesia. The city passed Indragiri River. The original inhabitants of this region are ethnic Malays. Some other tribes as ethnic immigrants in Rengat is Javanese, Minangnese, Bataknese, Chinese, and Sundanese, and as tribal hinterland called Talang Mamak tribe which formerly was still living in the wild dense forests, is still there, despite being started there intermingling with forest communities. There is also a monument built in memory of the heroism of a regent named Sincere (who is also the biological father of a famous poet Anwar), during the Military Aggression II Netherlands to Indonesia.
Rengat typical fruit is Kedondong. In the city center there is a monument clocks and sculptures Kedondong fruit on it. Dodol kedondong fruit is processed products are also preferred. But the monument has been on tear. One of the tourist attractions in Rengat, is a lake where bathing the House Indragiri known locally as the Lake King. It is said that long ago not far from the lake baths Indragiri royal family the royal palace there was a building, which had been at the center of the river Indragiri and when the dry season when water flow receded river we can see the back of the building the former palace of the Indragiri. In 1980s, local governments of Indragiri Hulu intends to make Lake King as a tourist area to the surrounding population to build a playground for children, and several other supporting facilities. Dear promoting such development did not last long, given the number of visitors does not match the expected target.
This leads to local traders do not last long. One of the typical vehicle in Rengat are still in operation today is the rickshaw. Which makes Pedi cab in different. Rengat with rickshaws found in several other areas of the swing position rickshaws were on the passenger side instead of behind.
Rengat also contained two Indragiri River bridge used to crossing into the area across the river. Many people who use this facility for exercise such as jogging across the region known to pollution free. Because in this area there are a lot of trees and most populated livelihood gardening. So if in season, many fruits flood the market such as mangos teen, rambutan, durian, Duku, and longan. Rengat city is also known as the city of “KING”. This is probably because many descendants – descendants of the king – the king Indragiri earlier.
King Lake, Rengat
If you want to find sights in the district of Inhu, you do not have to go far, just come to Rengat, we can find a Recreational Park King Lake there. Her relatively large lakes, water is also quite clean, and edges King lakes there are also garden filled with lush trees that would bring the sensation of freshness. It is also in the complex there is also a replica of King Lake Royal Palace Indragiri which is the cultural and historical heritage in the province of Riau Malay kingdoms. Not far side next to it also has a magnificent building the Sports Hall which will be used to branch Volley and Takraw at the Provincial Sports Week (Porprov) to VIII in Indragiri Hulu.
If we look beyond the beauty of the panoramic view of King Lake, somewhat less felt if we did not review the origins of why the lake is called the King Lake. Rengat city is not his name if it has its historical origins. It is said that his newspaper was once a King Lake where her bathing the Malay kings in the kingdom Indragiri, that’s a little story of a fragment of history so why is called the King Lake. Of course at that time the King Lake and area has not been as big as it is today.
King Lake is a natural panorama potential to be developed into a tourist attraction. Especially for the family who want to hold a family picnic or Recreation Family, King Lake is a very appropriate choice of alternative tourist destinations available in Indragiri Hulu.
The main thing in the account by tourists to visit tourist spot is the access road to the tourist destination. The lake is located in the town of King Rengat, precisely on Sultan street dealing with 1 Senior High School Rengat and 1 Vocational High School Rengat.
The route which can be passed to get to the King Lake, Rengat for tourists from outside the island of Sumatra would be the first transit in Pekanbaru for then traveled overland to the Rengat City with the distance of approximately 4 hours drive, where along the way you can enjoy the natural sights of interest such as oil palm, rubber and others. For tourists from out of town did not have to worry about accommodation problems, because it is right in front of King Lake are King Lake Hotel which could facilitate the tourists from outside the district Inhu to spend the night and stay in the Rengat city before continuing the journey back.
Dodol Kedondong, Rengat
Food named Dodol Kedondong, may still be unfamiliar to some people. But this meal is one of the typical and original products of Indragiri Hulu precisely in Rengat.
Kedondong itself is a typical fruit Rengat City, Kedondong in Rengat very easy to be found, so it can be called by the Kedondong city. Food made of glutinous rice flour, sugar, coconut and fruit this kedondong blackish brown. Dodol has a fragrant aroma and the taste is not too sweet and not too sour.
Maya residents bertuahpos.com Air Molek said that kedondong is a typical food of Inhu especially from Rengat. “It is native of Inhu, because there is so many kedondong in Rengat therefore made dodol kedondong. Today dodol kedondong can be found anywhere. Can a by-the typical Malay or can simply buy in a dodol in Rengat. “It feels himself not too sweet and not too sour, its aroma also typical of all because further highlight of the kedondog it,” he explained. Dodol kedondong also suitable to eat while relaxing get together with family or as a snack complementary with preferred drink.
In addition to the Rengat City, Dodol Kedondong can be encountered in Kusat snacks and souvenirs in Pekanbaru, International Airport Sultan Syarif Kasim II Pekanbaru, Internasionl Airport Soekarno Hatta, also can be found in the exhibition of traditional foods. The Dodo price perkotaknya ranged from 15,000 to 20,000.
Recognizing the Customary Marriage Tradition of Talang Mamak Tribe “Kumbang Saikua Manjapuik Bungo Nan Sataengkai”
Rengat city- Indigenous is still something very sacred to the tribes of the interior. They still adhere to the tradition handed down from their ancestors.. For the Talang Mamak tribe that supposedly came from Minang Kabau, the rules contained in their custom, they still believe in, something they shoul cling to at any time. “From the custom die rather die Son”. That adage customs they spend very hard if we translate. But for those Indigenous Enduring not by heat and not obsolete because of the rain.
This time I would like to invite the readers to recognize marriage in Talang Mamak tribe, Rengat city. They always termed the ” Kumbang nan saikua manjapuik Bungo nan satangkai “. It means that Saikua beetles are single men, while Bungo and Satangkai are girls, so that means the men who picked the girls to be proposed to be his wife.
The procession will begin with the arrival of the Ninik Mamak (family) from male to female party house which would also be greeted with Ninik Mamak female party. When the two sides met, there will be negotiations conducted with unrequited rhyme in her house. In traditional of Talang Mamak, betel is the main one, especially when doing “silaturrahmi”. In this application, betel be filed by the men to be eaten by the female. After both eat betel leaves, then the women would ask his arrival intent, then came the words of the men, “Kumbang nan saikua manjapuik Bungo nan satangkai”. Then the women will immediately understand the purpose.
In a conversation the two sides, it would have appeared terms of their customs, which is actually not far from the proverbial words of minang Kabau. Will be held tough negotiations, if the requirements they ask for their girls, are not in accordance with what is on their custom. Usually the woman will not maintain what they ask and do not hesitate, if their demands are not able to be met by the men, they would reject such applications. But there is an interesting, when both parties have agreed, then the man will give dowry demanded, but the women will not accept if the dowry is given in excess. They will still refund the excess, or else they will consider it as their debt. One of the traditional leaders of Talang Mamak,usually express the excess will be returned by the women, because they do not want it to be a burden for them in case of problems in the future. That was a little review of Talang Mamak tribe marriage customs.
The Uniqueness of The Rengat city
In Rengat, “Oplet” is called public transportation, just as public transportation in the soap opera “Si Doel Anak Sekolahan”. Interestingly, the position of the passenger sitting in the Oplet is not confronted such as public at large. Air-position passenger seat rows, such as sitting on the private car. So if we go up when oplet is empty, you should choose a seat next to the driver or in the back row. If we sit in the middle seat, secured our journey uncomfortable because distracted by passengers up and down.
Vehicles that are usually used as oplet is Mitsubishi Colt L300 type. One again, the name for the conductor or helper in Rengat is “stokar”. I do not know where this stokar said. Besides Oplet, public transportation is prevalent in Rengat is bicycle rickshaws. Rengat region contour flat and not hilly, so it is suitable for vehicles bicycle rickshaw. Interestingly, the position of rider is not behind the passenger, such as paddle rickshaw position in general. The position of paddle rickshaw in Rengat is next to the passenger. So if you want to chat with the rider, it can be performed comfortably. Oplet and tricycles are public transports which is often used in junior high.
Well, you would agree that it’s the highest-class hotel is a five-star hotel. But, Rengat proved to have a seven-star hotel! Unfortunately, instead of the seven-star class of his hotel, but in name only. So, in the Rengat city indeed there is a hotel called the Seven Stars Hotel. I think it’s actually a better fit than the inn called the inn or hotel. But let it be, so that everyone who comes to Rengat could witness its uniqueness.
For the hotel itself, there is King Lake’s Hotel classy three star. Not too bad for the size of the district. Named King Lake hotel because it is located right in front of King lake. King Lake is one of the tourist destinations in Rengat. The lake is quite spacious and beautiful, because a lot overgrown with lotus flowers. Especially now built a replica of the Royal palace Indragiri on the edge of King Lake.
Artikel Oleh : Nurlaila
Mahasiswa Fakultas Tarbiyah dan Keguruan