INFOKU BLORA – A deep impression for the people of Sedulur Sikep during the Commemoration of the centenary of Samin Surosentiko 's struggle which was held at the Pengdopo Pengayoman last Tuesday.
In fact, the event was also attended by the Mayor of Sawahlunto, Deri Asta, who left his territory in West Sumatra.
Indeed, these two areas are related because of the exile of the prominent fighter Samin Surosentiko from Blora to Sawahlunto.
Traces of Samin Surosentiko in Sawahlunto Deri Asta, as the regional head of the Sawahlunto region, recounted the traces of Samin Surosentiko's presence in the area dubbed the City of Charcoal.
"Because in Sawahlunto there are still descendants of Mbah Samin's family who are gathered in the Dulur Tunggal Sekapal family, it is said that one ship together reaches Sawahlunto," said Deri.
Based on the information he got, Samin Surosentiko was in Sawahlunto because the Dutch colonial government was carrying out coal mining which required a lot of manpower.
The colonial government issued a kind of letter to use prisoners in the colonies to carry out coal mining activities.
"One of the community leaders here is Mbah Samin Surosentiko, who was among those arrested and made prisoners of war," he said.
Considered Rebels by the Dutch Colonial Prisoners who were in the coal mines in Sawahlunto were the last prisoners and included heavy prisoners.
"If people go to Sawahlunto, it means that the violation according to the Dutch is a heavy customer," said Deri.
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In fact, Samin Surosentiko and several of his followers were made forced laborers to mine coal.
Considered a dangerous prisoner, he was also chained. Mbah Samin and other mining workers were only given an identity in the form of a number, even to the point of death.
"Pak Samin and eight of his followers were brought to Sawahlunto to be used as forced labor miners, known as chain people, the chain people working in chains to take coal from the mine," he explained.
"But because the Dutch are also afraid that these workers who are employed, according to him, are dangerous people, rebels, they are chained, it is a cruel history of colonial rule by the Dutch colonial government," he added.
“Single Dulur Sekapal”
However, there are differences in the mindset between the colonizers and the colonized people about what Samin Surosentiko did.
"When it comes to serious violations, of course there are differences of opinion. If the Dutch think it's a violation or a rebel, if we think it's a hero, it's a difference in mindset or mindset between the colonizers and the people who were colonized," he said.
Dulur Tunggal Sekapal in Sawahlunto is Strongly Allegedly Section Sedulur Sikep Deri said that until now, the families of former colonial mining workers in Sawahlunto still have kinship in the form of 'Dulur Tunggal Sekapal' .
The term was given to the descendants of Samin Surosentiko and his followers who were in the same ship when they were employed in Sawahlunto.
"This is the history that we have, and to this day the families of the mining workers still exist in Sawahlunto in the form of a single kinship in the ship and live side by side with all the people in Sawahlunto," he explained.
In addition, regarding the traces of Samin Surosentiko in Sawahlunto, there needs to be a more comprehensive study even though there are many books or different historical literatures about Samin's history in Sawahlunto.
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"There are still many different historical literature books, therefore I and the Regent conduct a webinar, there must be a more comprehensive study," he said.
So, in the future, the Sawahlunto City Government plans to establish further cooperation with the Blora Regency Government to explore the existing cultural potential.
"In the future, of course, we have to review it again, we had a long discussion with the Regent, there might be an MoU plan or some kind of cooperation agreement to explore the potential of culture and friendship.
Because our arrival here represents the Sawahlunto city government and represents the Samin families who are still there," he explained.
Not to forget, Deri Asta expressed his gratitude for being given the opportunity to stay in touch with the Sedulur Sikep community.
"Thank you for being invited here and we specifically provide time to gather and stay in touch with our brothers and sisters here," he concluded. (Endah/ IST )
