Bengkulu & Singapore

We might wonder why we can find Bencoolen street or Bencoolen hotel in Singapore. Bencoolen stands for Bengkulu anayway. These two areas were historically connected one to another. It was the Treaty of London, signed in London, on March 17, 1824. The area of Bengkulu was redeemed by the Dutch territory to the British as part of the Treaty.  One of the clause in this agreement explains that Dutch surrender to the British occupation of Singapore. Secondly, Britain handed its trading office in Bengkulu  (Fort Marlborough) and the entire ownership on the island of Sumatra to the Netherlands and will not be set up representative offices on the island of Sumatra, or make any rule arrangements with the local people. This treaty was initiated by the Sir Stamford Raffles who was assigned as the Governor of British port in Bengkulu, Malborough in 1818. He successfully convinced East India Companies  that the British Government need to establish a new strategic port in South East Asia. 

Call for Paper: Pro-poor Seminar & Workshop

Poverty is not about money, it is about every single aspects of human daily live, It could be about mindset and attitude, or about the quality of living environment, or may be about education, or any other things related to human being existence. Poverty is the responsible of every scientist. Please note this workshop, will be held in Bengkulu, try to integrally discuss the poverty eradication issues. The University of Bengkulu proudly host The 3rd International Seminar of Regional Network on Poverty Eradication 2012 with the theme of "Has Application of University Initiatives Addressed Local or Regional Poverty Eradication?", which will be held on October 15th to October 17th, 2012.

What is it?

Owl of Enggano

http://www.planetofbirds.com

http://www.planetofbirds.com/Master/STRIGIFORMES/Strigidae/pics/Enggano%20Scops%20Owl.gif

Student's arboretum area

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This picture was taken in the campus of University of Bengkulu, last month, described the student activity to conserve the green part of their campus. I can not provide any details of their collections, but the student efforts to initiate a campus arboretum is deserved to get  great appreciation. It is possible that a small portion of our daily oxygen comes from this mini arboretum.

Ritual Ngampung Semangat Padi

The people in Sungai Ipuh village, district Selagan Raya,  Muko Muko,  has a unique tradition to pray for their planted rice when the rice reach the age of one month, two months, and when the rice starts to fill, ie, by reading Yasin (a particular part of Holybook of Al Qur’an) around their rice fields and then praying to the Al-Mighty for blessing and successful rice production.  The ritual, called Ngampung Semangat Padi, is carried out together. After praying, all the participants as well the key people in the village dance Antak-Antak (like a jumping dance).  This dance is expected boost their spirit, morale and commitment in rice farming.  The level of their spirit  is believed to affect the ‘spirit’ of the rice to grow so well and hence to produce abundant of grains. Finished dancing, they enjoy the special meal prepared for this tradition, namely Jamba, which contains rice with three ducks, three bowls of rice, and yellow rice. (Source RB, 03/03/12)