The Legend of Mount Tambora

The Legend of Mount Tambora

Origin of the name of Mount Tambora according to the story of hereditary there are two versions, namely: First, derived from the word lakambore from Bima language which means going to where, to ask the purpose of traveling against someone. Second, from the word ta and mbora, from the Bima language, the word "ta" which means to invite, and the word "mbora" which means disappearing, so the meaning of the word Tambora in the whole way invites to disappear.

This is derived from the story of hereditary, first there was someone who was first magic to the mountain (now Mount Tambora), imprisoned and not found again because it had disappeared in the mountain. If the Javanese term moksa, which disappeared his body in a way suddenly and can be seen by certain people who have a performance in watching the spirit of fine. Then the magical person who disappeared had briefly appeared on an island located in the northwest of Sumbawa Island can also be impressed from the summit of Mount Tambora. So the island is named Satonda Island from the word tonda which means the sign / footprint. The island can be seen from the top of Mount Tambora, visible from the top of the shape of the right foot of human foot. Satonda Island is very beautiful with its natural scenery, in the middle of the island is a clear lake and surrounded by cliffs of the hills that remain natural. Allegedly the lake on Satonda Island has a tunnel from the underwater cave connects with the sea. Satonda Island with an altitude between 0 to 300 mdpl is a recreation park (recreation park) with an area of 1,000 ha has its own unique characteristics.

Now the island has become a protected area (strict nature reserve). Satonda Island is very good to be a place to explore the forest, because the forest on the island was destroyed by the impact of the eruption of Mount Tambora in 1815. Also not a few new species of fish found and only found in Lake Satonda only. The island became the habitat of a large number of protected bird species. All the natural beauty that becomes one unity creates a wonderful, unique phenomenon.

The charm of nature in Mount Tambora further enhance the beauty of Indonesia's natural panorama. We all have to know and preserve it. Nature of Indonesia became the object of great research by scientists.

Bernice De Jong Boers, a Danish scientist in his revised paper entitled "Mount Tambora in 1815:" A Volcanic Eruption in Indonesia and Its Aftermath "photographed, Sumbawa Island before the eruption of Mount Tambora is actually in good shape by economic means. Long before, in Sumbawa much more dense forest. When the first person arrives, some of the forest is cut down to farm.

Approximately 1400, the Javanese offered a rice planting tutorial in the fields and started importing horses. Long-lasting population growth. People entrust the particular fate of rice, green beans, and horses. While from the plantation people entrust coffee, pepper, and cotton that can flourish.

In the region already available also trade relations. At that time the Kingdom of Bima was generally open from the outside world. From the economic side, commerce is an absolute income with absolute export commodities before 1815 is rice, honey, cotton, and redwood.

After Tambora erupted, the conscious welfare collapsed. At that time there were six small kingdoms on Sumbawa Island. The poem of the Kingdom of Bima states that two extinct kingdoms are buried, namely Pekat and Tambora. Far after the event, there arose some speculation that there is a buried royal palace with varying wealth. Moreover, from the excavations made Sigurdsson from the University of Rhode Island, USA, and a team from the Directorate of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation had found the ceramics are estimated to be patterned Vietnam. Also arise allegations of the fate of people speak Mon-Khmer, a language that is not commonly spoken in the archipelago.

The assumptions are doubtful Bambang Budi Utomo, an archaeologist from the National Archaeological Research and Development Center, who had visited the Sigurdsson excavation site. "The term of the kingdom outside of Java can not be equated with the great kingdom of rich Java. So, do not imagine a royal palace like a palace of kings in Java. Not only that, the findings of ceramics that have similarities with pottery from the Indochina region does not mean to indicate the fate of the population supporting the Khmer customs. Pottery is kind of made in China and could be up in Tambora because of the trade, "said Bambang. He regretted that the research did not involve archaeologists.

After the eruption, the situation in Tambora more or less-especially in Bima-turned around. Land that can not be cultivated while five years makes hunger and poverty prolonged.

Now, taking place on the slopes of Tambora, definitely not the same atmosphere. Thick grass fills the soil surface, which ha