Standing majestically on the banks of the Mahakam River in Tenggarong, East Kalimantan, Mulawarman Museum is a living witness to the grandeur of the Kutai Kartanegara Kingdom.
This museum is more than just a building filled with historical collections; it’s a gateway for anyone wanting to delve deeper into the life, culture, and history of East Kalimantan’s ancestors.
Priceless Collections and Carved History
Mulawarman Museum houses over 5,300 collections that capture the long history of the Kutai Kingdom.
The museum is named after King Mulawarman, a famed ruler of the Kutai Martadipura Kingdom, remembered for his wisdom.
Inside, visitors can find historical objects that depict royal life, such as the throne, royal garments, the royal bed, and spears, krises, and necklaces once used by the kingdom’s nobility.
One of the most fascinating pieces is the yupa inscription, an ancient relic written in Pallava script, providing the earliest evidence of the Kutai Kingdom’s existence dating back to the 4th century.
The museum also has a collection of ulap doyo woven fabrics, a traditional Dayak cloth woven with a unique technique, as well as various artifacts from the Hindu-Buddhist period found throughout Kalimantan.
Additionally, the museum displays ceramics from China, Japan, Europe, and Thailand, showcasing Kutai’s international trade relations during its golden age.
In front of the museum, visitors are welcomed by a replica of Lembu Suana, the symbol of the Kutai Kartanegara Kingdom, and a dragon-shaped pond symbolizing protection and guardianship of the universe according to Kutai mythology.
Traditional Architecture and Strong Cultural Values
The Mulawarman Museum building, formerly the palace of the Kutai Kartanegara Kingdom, retains distinctive Dayak architectural features.
It was built in 1935 by Holland Beton Maatschappij (HBM) during the era of Sultan Adji Muhammad Parikesit, standing tall with an elegant white color scheme.
Inside, there is the Bleh Peteh room, reserved for the Dayak Kenyah nobility, and various statues used in Dayak funeral ceremonies.
At the museum entrance, statues of the lembu (ox), crocodile, and pesut (river dolphin) stand as royal symbols that enrich the museum’s cultural atmosphere.
Each corner and ornament in Mulawarman Museum holds spiritual and cultural values passed down through generations by the Kutai people.
Ticket Information and Directions to Mulawarman Museum
Visiting this museum is quite affordable, with admission prices at only Rp 2,500 for adults and Rp 1,000 for children.
From the center of Tenggarong, Mulawarman Museum is just about 3.3 kilometers away, an eight-minute drive.
If you’re coming from Balikpapan, the museum is approximately 134.7 kilometers away or about a 2.5-hour drive via the Balikpapan-Samarinda Toll Road.
Honoring the Legacy of Kutai Kartanegara
Mulawarman Museum is more than just a space for storing historical objects. Each collection and architectural detail invites visitors to journey back in time, witnessing the life and wisdom of the ancestors.
This museum is a place where the history and culture of East Kalimantan can be valued, studied, and deeply understood.
For anyone who wants to trace the footsteps of a great kingdom on the island of Kalimantan, Mulawarman Museum offers an experience rich in meaning and knowledge.