SUMATRA ISLAND View of Palembang Indonesia Sacred Grove

Description: Print title: Palembang - View Taken Near the Kraton in the Sacred Grove Print Specifics: Type of print: Wood Engraving - Original antique print Year of printing: not indicated in the print - actual: 1890 Publisher: D. Appleton & Co., New York. Condition: 1 (1. Excellent - 2. Very good - 3. Good - 4. Fair). Slightly 'wavy' along the top blank margin. Dimensions: 7 x 10.5 inches (17 x 26,5 cm), including blank margins (borders) around the image. Paper weight: 3 (1. Thick - 2. Heavier - 3. Medium heavy - 4. Slightly heavier - 5. Thin) Reverse side: Blank Notes: 1. Green color 'border' around the print in the photo is a contrasting background on which the print was photographed. 2. The print detail is sharper than the photo of the print. Original Narrative: The chief southern trading-place and the largest city in Sumatra, is Palembang, which lies on both hanks oi ihe Musi just above the delta, and at the converging point of all the main routes from the interior. Palembang covers a large surface, the thirty-six Kampongs, or quarters of the Ilir, comprising a space of 'over five miles on the north or left bank, while the opposite side is occupied by sixteen other quarters, grouped collectively under the name of Ulu. The few European buildings are disposed on the north side, round about the kraton, or citadel, which the Dutch have gradually transformed to a residential palace. As in the Chinese city of Canton, many of the natives live permanently afloat, residing on rakits, or bamboo rafts, moored to the banks of the river, which is here 1,000 feet wide, and frbm 30 to 50 feet deep. Some of the rafts are large enough to bear houses, containing several families, and according to the local tradition, the first of these ntructures were built by the Chinese traders, to whom the sultan had refused permission to reside ashore. At present they are inhabited not only by the Chinese, Malays, Arabs, and Ilindus, but even by some Europeans, for the sake of the refreshing breezes, which blow alternately up and down the stream. Nearly all the shops are afloat, so that most of the business is conducted in small river craft, which glide along the narrow channels winding between the little houses, painted in bright colours, and surmounted by curved roofs. During the floods some of these dwellings break from their moorings, and drift with the current far below Palembang. Children also frequently fall overboard, and become a prey to the numerous crocodiles infesting the river. The inhabitants of Palembang, who claim descent from a Javanese colony of the fourteenth century, still speak an idiom differing greatly from the Malay dialects of Sumatra, and resembling the current speech of Central Java. Their commercial relations are also chiefly with that island, to which they forward the tobacco, rice, India-rubber, gutta-percha, benzoin, and other produce floated down from Muwara Dua, Muwara Inini, Mawara Bliti, Muwara Rupit, and other inland towns, usually situated at the Muu'aras, or confluences of the main stream with its tributaries. This produce is shipped in large vessels which ascend the Musi to Palembang, 60 miles from its mouth. The gold w-orkings, whence Palembang takes its name, are now of little value, and the local industries are mainly confined to lacquerware and furniture, manufactured by numerous Chinese artizans. In the neighbourhood are the 'tombs of the sultans, amongst which Europeans are surprised to find that of Sikandar Alam, " Alexander the Great," the traditional ancestor of so many Eastern dynasties. Martin2001 Satisfaction Guaranteed Policy! Any print purchased from me may be returned for any (or no) reason for a full refund including all postage. Internet seller since 1998. Five-star service.

Price: 22 USD

Location: Manassas, Virginia

End Time: 2025-01-16T20:13:57.000Z

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