Woman and The Most Sacred of Palembang’s Historical Destination

15 Mei 2025

On Friday afternoon (October 13, 2023), I had the opportunity to talk to Mrs. Ita who has been carrying out her duties as a cemetery guard in Bukit Siguntang to guard the tombs of Srivijaya Kingdom descendants since the period of 2001 where she also continued the contribution of her mother-in-law who had carried out the role. As has been known, Bukit Siguntang is the highest land contained in Palembang City, with an average height of 26–30 meters above sea level.

Not only is it known as one of the oldest tourist destinations in Palembang, which could be observed by its historical discoveries such as ceramic shards from the Tang Dynasty, Buddha statues, and neighbors to the location where it was found the Talang Tuo site and Kedukan Bukit Inscription, which depict historical life of the Srivijaya Kingdom era (Bukit Siguntang Gallery), but it is also noted as the sacred area that was the final resting place for ancestors of Malay both in Indonesia and outside Indonesia, which the majority of those ancestors believed had magical powers with their respective influences. So it is not surprising if Bukit Siguntang has still been visited until now by many communities from other cities and countries, especially during the long-term holiday period, as witnessed by Mrs. Ita.