Sunday, November 29, 2015

PERANG SUNGAI MANIK..menentang Komunis selepas Perang Dunia Kedua.

Cerita benar yang lebih lengkap dan terperinci tentang perjuangan berdarah orang2 melayu keturunan Banjar Sungai Manik menentang komunis..
Saya kongsikan untuk sama2 kita ambil manafaat.. terkadang ada bahasa2 banjar yang terselit di dalamnya..harap maklum sebab saya pon bukan orang banjar..heheh

PERANG SUNGAI MANIK

Cerita di bawah ini adalah terjemahan dari cerita asal bahasa Banjar bertajuk “Sungai Manik Bamandi Darah”. yang diterjemah ke Bahasa Melayu oleh Utuh Lingkun didalam blog beliau dibawah tajuk Perang Sungai Manik.

Diterbitkan semula disini agar pembaca yang belum membacanya di Utuh Lingkun boleh membacanya disini. Ia merupakan satu kisah benar yang perlu diketahui oleh orang2 Melayu/Islam dan dapat dijadikan iktibar.

Badan Ismail Rudo yang sudah tidak berkaki dan bertangan menggelupur di atas titi dan sedang menunggu masa untuk nyawa berpisah dengan badan – kedua belah kaki dan tangan Mail Rudo putus ditetak parang ‘bungkol’ Utoh Putih. Air jernih yang mengalir deras di bawah titi bertukar merah disirami darah. Maka tertawa besarlah ‘sangkala’ mendapat habuan petang – darah dalam jantung adalah makanannya. Begitulah adat orang berkelahi, salah seorang pasti kecundang. Selepas Asar, Mail Rudo pergi seorang diri – menghembuskan nafas terakhir tanpa seorang pun yang sudi mendekatinya. Sepucuk pistol .38 tanpa peluru masih berada di sisi jasad yang sudah tidak bernyawa lagi. Ramai penduduk Bendang DO, parit 6, Sungai Manik terdiri dari keluarga Banjar. Kehidupan mereka begitu daif, terhimpit dan dihimpit oleh gerombolan komunis yang bermarkas di Sungai Tungko, dan diketuai oleh Ah Pau, Ah Boon dan Ah Jang. Pembunuh Mail Rudo, orang kuat Parti Komunis Malaya (PKM) mesti ditangkap segera.

Utoh Putih, Banjar ‘Alai’ jati beranak dua – anak bungsunya seorang bayi perempuan dan baru pandai berdiri-jatuh. Dia menetap di Pekan Rabu, Parit 6, Sungai Manik. Oleh kerana warna kulitnya yang tersangat cerah maka lekatlah gelaran Utuh Putih. Arwah datuk (pencerita) dan Utuh Putih adalah rakan karib yang sama hebat ilmu zahir dan batin. Mail Rudo, Banjar Sungai Tungko, Sungai Manik sudah lama menyertai PKM dalam bahagian risik. Selepas tentera Jepun menyerah kalah, Mail Rudo ditugaskan mencari ahli baru dalam daerah Sungai Manik. Disebabkan tidak ramai keluarga Banjar yang sudi menyertai perjuangan komunis, maka akhirnya Mail Rudo terpaksa menggunakan kekerasan. Mereka yang enggan akan menerima padah.

Saban hari ada saja penduduk kampung yang ditangakap, tak kira muda ataupun tua. Disiksa, disembelih, disumbat dalam guni hidup-hidup dan dibuang ke Sungai Perak, ditembak, disula, dan bermacam lagi hukuman. Begitulah gerangan bila manusia (Mail Rudo) sudah ada kedudukan – mudah lupa diri hingga hilang rasa kemanusiaan. Pada masa itu bukan sedikit orang Banjar dan orang Melayu yang menyokong perjuangan komunis. Malah ada juga orang Banjar yang hebat ilmunya turut menjadi talibarut. Orang seperti itulah yang menjadi duri dalam daging penduduk setempat. Oleh kerana terlau mengejar pangkat mereka sanggup membunuh, membakar rumah dan memusnahkan harta benda bangsa sendiri. Penduduk kampung yang takut menyertai perjuangan komunis secara aktif dipaksa pula membayar yuran sebagai ahli PKM. Kehidupan keluarga Banjar di Sungai Manik semakin terhimpit. Ramai yang terpaksa berpindah ke penempatan Banjar di seberang Sungai Kinta – ke Kampung Balun Bidai dan Kampung Gajah.

Waktu Zohor baru saja masuk. Alun air bendang dihembus bayu membuat hati terasa rawan. Sambil memikul guni berisi ubi, Utoh Putih melangkah cermat menuju titi untuk kembali ke rumah di Pekan Rabu. Sebaik sampai di pangkal titi…

“Dari mana gerangan ni ‘Toh, akhirnya bertemu juga kita di sini ye?” entah dari mana munculnya si Mail Rudo, tiba-tiba saja tercegat di tengah titi berpakaian seragam komunis, pistol dan bayonet terselit di pinggang. Di wajahnya terpancar rasa kepuasan kerana dapat bertemu dengan Utoh Putih yang sudah sekian lama dipujuknya supaya menyertai PKM.

“Baru balik dari Cikus mencari ubi, maafkan saya tuan, tumpang lalu” Utoh Putih menyahut penuh hormat.

“Kalau ia pun letaklah dulu guni ubi tu, tak usah bergegas, apa yang nak dikejar, tak ke mana perginya rumah tu” garau bunyi suara Mail Rudo. Antara rela dan terpaksa, Utoh Putih mematuhi perintah ‘tuan besar’ dan meletakkan guni ubi di atas titi. Begitu gah susuk tubuh dua orang anak Banjar yang berdiri di atas titi menghadap satu sama lain, cumanya seorang berkulit cerah manakala seorang lagi kelihatan gelap.

“Mungkin petang ini pertemuan kita yang terakhir, agaknya” si Mail Rudo menyambung bicara.

“Apa hajat, kenapa lain benar kata-kata tuan besar?” si Utoh Putih yang menyambut bicara merasakan ada sesuatu yang tak kena.

“Tak usah pura-pura tak tau, bagaimana dengan janji kau dulu? Sampai hari ini aku masih menunggu kata putus” rungut orang kuat PKM menempelak.

“Taklah Mail, aku tak nak ikut perjuangan yang membinasakan bangsa, sedangkan perjuangan untuk mengisi perut sendiri dan anak bini rasa dah tak tertanggung. Tidak…tidak sekali-kali” si Utoh Putih menjawab tegas.

“Mak oi, keras benar hati kau ni ‘Toh…apa nak buat…kalau itulah pendirian kau, bersiap sedialah” merah padam muka Mail Rudo kerana marah. Spontan tangan kanannya mencapai pistol di pinggang dan mengacukan ke dada si Utoh Putih.

“Jangan, senjata jangan dibuat main Mail ai…kita kan serumpun, tak kanlah kau tak ada belas kasihan. Ditakdirkan aku tak ada, siapa yang nak menyara anak isteriku nanti…ampun tuan besar” si Utoh Putih merayu minta simpati.

“Dam…” bunyi pistol memuntahkan peluru sulung. Berasap baju buruk si Utoh Putih dihinggapi peluru, namun dia masih tak berganjak, masih tegak berdiri. Keluarga Banjar berhampiran yang terkejut melihat kejadian tak berani mendekati, masing-masing masuk ke rumah.

“Dam…dammmm…” sudah tiga das tembakan dilepaskan oleh Mail Rudo namun peluru masih tak mampu menembusi kulit si Utoh Putih.

“Bangsat betul, kebal rupanya kau ye…tahani lagi nah” tengking orang kuat PKM. Tanpa disedari sudah enam das tembakan dilepaskan dan pistolnya sudah kehabisan peluru. Sedang dia terkial-kial…

“Labukkk…” ayunan parang bungkol yang bergelar si Kandal Larap hinggap dipergelangan tangan kanan Mail Rudo yang membuatkan tangan itu putus serta merta.

“Labukkk…” giliran tangan kiri si Mail Rudo untuk jatuh ke tanah. Utoh Putih meneruskan ayunan. Kali ini lutut kanan Mail Rudo pula jadi mangsa parang bungkol Kandal Larap. Setelah putus kaki kanan, maka terdamparlah Mail Rudo di atas titi. Si Utoh Putih semakin geram. Tetakan terakhirnya membuat kaki kiri Mail Rudo bercerai dengan badan. Guni yang berisi ubi diletakkan semual ke bahu, dan Utoh Putih terus balik ke rumah meninggalkan Mail Rudo mengerang kesakitan.

Markas PKM di Sungai Tungko gempar mendapat berita tentang pembunuhan Mail Rudo. Dengan bersenjatakan raifel MK5, berduyun-duyun gerombolan komunis yang diketuai orang kanan mereka si Ah Pau bergegas menghala ke Bendang DO, Parit 6, Sungai Manik. “Ai yaa…kaki tangan semua kasi potong habit ka…manyak cilaka itu olang.” bebel si Ah Pau apabila terpandang mayat Mail Rudo yang masih tabirangkang (terkangkang) di atas titi. Tak seorang pun keluarga Banjar di Bendang DO yang berani tampil menunjukkan muka. Mereka hanya menyaksikan dari jendela rumah masing-masing. Hari semakin larut petang, gerombolan komunis masih riuh berbincang sesama sendiri. Entah apa yang mereka bincangkan tak seorang pun penduduk kampung yang mengerti. Sejurus kemudian, kumpulan komunis itu pergi dari rumah ke rumah manggandah (mengetuk kuat) dinding mengarahkan orang kampung, tua dan muda, berkumpul di hadapan Pekan Rabu. Seorang demi seorang di soal siasat termasuklah Utoh Putih. Namun, keluarga Banjar sepakat berpura-pura tak kenal siapa yang membunuh Mail Rudo. Akhirnya kepala komunis, si Ah Pau memberi kata dua: Kalau pembunuh Mail Rudo tidak ditangkap, Bendang DO akan jadi padang jarak padang tekukur. Mayat Mail Rudo ditayut (diikat) dengan tali dan dikandar (galas) dengan kayu panjang untuk dibawa pergi. Rasa maras (kesian) pun ada melihat cara mayat diperlakukan – tak ubah seperti mengandar hasil buruan babi hutan. Tak siapa yang tau ke mana mayat itu dibawa, ditanam atau dibuang ke Sungai Perak. Kalau dibuang ke sungai pastinya ternganga luas mulut sang kuradal (buaya) mendapat habuan petang. Warga Banjar sepakat meminta Utoh Putih membawa isteri dan anak-anak meninggalkan Bendang DO dengan segera. Maklum sajalah, muntung guri (mulut tempayan) boleh dipisiti (ditutup rapat), mulut manusia siapalah tau. Tapi apa pula kata empunya diri…! “Cakada (tidak) saudaraku. Untuk apa kalau aku seorang saja yang maharagu (menjaga) anak dan isteri sedangkan kalian sabarataan (semua) terpaksa menanggung derita…aku tak akan meninggalkan kampung ini. Tidak, tidak sekali-kali, apa nak jadi, jadilah.” jenuh penduduk kampung memujuk namun Utoh Putih tetap dengan pendiriannya. Sudah tiga hari berlalu, Emoh sahabat karib Utoh Putih yang baru dapat berita segera menonongmangunyur (menonong) meninggalkan Balun Bidai menyeberang Sungai Kinta menuju ke Bendang DO untuk menemui sahabat karibnya, kawan sehati, seperguruan dan sama juhara (jaguh). Persahabatan mereka lebih akrab dari hubungan adik-beradik, dan tentunya Emoh tak akan membiarkan mahijaakan (membiarkan) sahabatnya keseorangan dalam keadaan sedemikian.

“Pariannya (andainya) aku madam (berhijrah) meninggalkan Bendang DO, mati juga akhirnya, ajal maut sudah ditentukan, tak siapa boleh kawa (menghalang).” Utoh Putih memulakan perbualan setelah selesai makan malam itu.

“Ai, jangan begitu, apa pangrasa (resa) kau ‘Toh?” tanya Emoh yang mula rasa tak sedap hati.

“Tak lah, manalah tau,” jawabnya ringkas.

Walau bagaimana pun, Emoh masih rasa gelisah kerana lain benar kelakuan sahabatnya yang semakinambak (pendiam) , lebih bersikap mengiakan dari merancakkan perbualan. Selalunya kalau lama tak berjumpa, tak kering gusi mereka berbual.

Malam semakin larut namun dua orang sahabat karib itu masih lagi belum tidur, masih ‘garunuman’ berbual.

“Moh, andainya ajalku sampai, jangan bersusah payah membawa mayatku ke Balun Bidai, kebumikan saja di sini. Tapi, jangan kau lupa membawa anak isteriku dan serahkan kepada keluarganya di sana. Sepanjang kita bersahabat, kalau ada terlebih terkurang, aku minta halal dunia akhirat. Engkau pula Moh, biarlah disederhanakan manjuhara (menunjukkan kejaguhan). Berhati-hatilah memilih kawan. Satu lagi…tapi jangan pula kau anggap aku menghalau…esok sebelum Zohor, aku minta kau segera beredar dari rumahku, ke mana yang kau nak tuju, aku tak batangatan (melarang). Tak ada apa-apalah, cuma aku rasa lebih selesa kalau bersendirian!” Marigap (rasa berderau darah) si Emoh mendengar kata-kata sahabatnya, lantas bangun mendakap Utoh Putih. Muntung bungkam (mulut terkunci) – tak sepatah kata pun yang terucap antara mereka kecuali barubuian(deraian) air mata mengenangkan nasib yang bakal menimpa. “Mungkin sudah sampai janji (ajal) saudaraku ini,” bisik hati kecil Emoh.

Mereka terus berbual sampai ke subuh.

Dalam remang (tatarauan) subuh, kedua sahabat sudah tacugut (tercegat) di tepi telaga mandi.

“Ayuha, duduklah ‘Toh…..Bismillahirahmanirahim…..” Emoh membaca ayat mandi suci sambil manguboiakan (menyiram) air memandikan sahabatnya si Utoh Putih hingga selesai.

Api di dapur barau (marak) dengan isteri Utoh Putih sibuk menyediakan sarapan pagi. Kesian si isteri kerana tak tau kisah dan hujung pangkal cerita. Pada pengamatannya, bermandi-mandian di subuh hari sudah jadi kelaziman dua orang pendekar tersebut.

Panas semakin terik di Bendang DO sebagai tanda pagi sudah baugah (beralih) ke tengahari. Maka tibalah saatnya untuk kedua sahabat itu berpisah. Salah seorang terpaksa mamingkuti (memegang) janji.

“Jangan lupa pesan guru kita wahai saudaraku, walau nyawa sudah berada di hujung, jangan sekali-kali kau lupa….” pesan Emoh kepada Utoh Putih. Kedua sahabat berpelukan untuk kali terakhir.

“(Barilaan) kita dunia akhirat.” dengan kata-kata itu, Emoh terus menonong meninggalkan sahabatnya si Utoh Putih tanpa menoleh lagi ke belakang. Ke mana gerangan tujuannya, tak siapa pun tahu.

Selepas solat Zohor tengahari itu, kelopak mata Utoh Putih terasa berat kerana tak tidur semalaman. Anak bungsunya sudah marinuk (merengkok) terlena di tepi lulungkang (jendela) anjung rumah. Hembusan bayu Bendang DO terasa dingin. Tak lama setelah Utoh Putih merebahkan badan di sebelah anaknya, dia pun turut terlena.

Hari semakin menghampiri petang. Entah kenapa gerangan hari ini Bendang DO sunyi sepi. Tak seorang pun yang kelihatan gagaliwalak (mundar mandir) di luar rumah seperti hari-hari biasa. Agaknya mereka sengaja mendiamkan diri dalam rumah, masih terkejut dengan kematian Mail Rudo dan kata-dua komunis, atau sedang menghitung hari kerana tempoh seminggu yang diberikan PKM semakin hampir.

Tanpa disedari enam ikung (orang) komunis sedang karayapan (merayap) mamaraki (menghampiri) rumah Utoh Putih. Kabujuran (kebetulan) pula, isteri dan anak sulungnya tidak ada di rumah kerana pergi maunjun (mengail) ikan puyu bersama kawan-kawan. Dengan menatang raifel MK5, gerombolan komunis terjingkit-jingkit menjenguk setiap jendela rumah. Sebaik terpandang Utoh Putih yang sedang lena, tanpa membuang masapalumpongan (muncung) MK5 diacukan ke kepala dari luar jendela.

“Dahui…dahui…dahui…” tiga kali muncung raifel memuntahkan pilur (peluru). Kerana sudah sampai waktunya – sampai ajal – kekebalan Utoh Putih berakhir. Tak sedikit pun yang tinggal. Mangarabuak (menggelegak) darah dalam jantung keluar menerusi ruang-ruang terbuka di kepala. Mujur juga anak kecilnya tidak diapa-apakan.Kuciak papar (menjerit sakan) si anak yangt terkejut, bakayukut (merangkak) mendakap bapanya yang sudah tidak bernyawa lagi.

Galahakan (berdekah-dekah) ketawa gerombolan komunis kerana puas dapat membalas kematian Mail Rudo. Selepas itu mereka terus balik meninggalkan Pekan Rabu, Bendang DO menghala ke Sungai Tungko.

Si Emoh yang sedang dalam perjalanan menghala ke Bendang DO manggisit (hampir) terserempak dengan kumpulan PKM yang masih terbahak-bahak kegembiraan. Mujur juga dia ternampak mereka lebih dahulu, lantas melompat manyungkupakan (menyembunyikan) diri ke padang tagah (dalam semak). Parang bungkol yang bergelar “si Buruk” sedia tergenggam di tangan. Andai ketemuan, tak taulah apa yang akan terjadi. Mujur juga dia masih lagi dilindungi Allah, dan tak seorang pun ahli komunis tersebut dapat melihatnya.

Barubuian (bercucuran) air mata Emoh terkenang sahabatnya si Utoh Putih. “Mungkin dah tak ada lagi saudaraku ini” bisik hati kecilnya. Belum pun jauh kumpulan komunis itu berlalu, Emoh bingkas dan bukah mancicing (pantas berlari) maranduk (meredah) pinggir bendang menghala ke rumah Utoh Putih yang sudah mula barumbung (ramai) orang.

“Ayuha, pergilah dulu wahai saudaraku kerana bila sudah sampai masanya, tidak siapa dapat menghalang” bisik Emoh ketika terpandang jenazah si Utoh Putih. Barataan (semuanya) warga Banjar di Bendang DO batarukuian (sepakat) untuk menyempurnakan jenazah petang itu juga. Dalam keadaan serba kekurangan kerana darurat, pengkebumian berlarutan sampai ke malam.

Betapa benarnya kata-kata “kalau mulut tempayan pekasam boleh disumpali (disumbat) dipisiti (ketat), mulut manusia siapa yang dapat menduga”. Tentu ada yang anju ataran (celupar) kalau tidak masakan PKM tahu Utoh Putih yang empunya angkara.

Mangkining (mengerlit) kilauan parang bungkol si Kandal Larap yang sudah tidak bapagustian (bertuan) tersangkut di tawing (dinding). Sambil mengusap mata parang bungkol peninggalan sahabat karibnya, hati Emoh berkata “Satu ketika nanti akan ku mandikan si Kandal Larap dengan darah seteru haram jadah…”

Sudah seminggu berlalu, mujurlah tidak ada apa-apa kejadian yang tak diingini berlaku di Bendang DO. Pun begitu, keluarga Banjar yang berada di situ masih curiga kerana maklum sajalah janji komunis tak boleh dipercaya. Dalam diam, kerabat PKM sudah membina sebuah markas kecil kira-kira satu kilometer dari Bendang DO dengan tujuan mengawasi dan berkempen kononya tak siapa pun yang boleh memerdekakan Tanah Melayu selain dari PKM.

Ramai jugalah orang Melayu dan Banjar yang mula terpengaruh diresapi dakyah komunis hingga ada yang sanggup menyertai kumpulan bersenjata, manakala yang penakut atau berani-berani lalat pula memadailah sekadar menjadi mata dan telinga mereka.

Markas PKM di Bendang DO tak mendapat sambutan langsung. Perjuangan apa gerangan kalau caranya lebih teruk dari pemerintahan Jepun. Begitulah agaknya tanggapan warga Banjar seluruh Bendang DO – geram benar gamaknya.

Ketua komunis di markas besar Sungai Tungko mula gelisah kerana kempen merekadipahawai (dipandang sepi) oleh warga Banjar di Bendang DO yang masih keras hati. Akhirnya gerombolan PKM terpaksa membuat percaturan lain…menimbulkan masalah saban hari; tak cukup dengan makanan, harta benda orang kampung dirampas, tanamantakundangsai (musnah) diinjak dilenyek. Namun tidak juga membawa hasil yang diharapkan malah semakin menambah barau (marak) api kemarahan warga Banjar.

Ah Pau, Ah Boon dan Ah Jang orang kuat komunis mengeluarkan perintah dan amaran terakhir; kalau tak sanggup melihat Bendang DO menjadi padang halilintar, dalam masa seminggu warga Banjar diarah mengumpulkan kaum perempuan yang masih muda, tak kiralah anak dara atau isteri orang. Sudah lama benar gerangan si kulup ini menagih kaum perempuan, dan kalau itulah caranya, bagaimana gerangan dapat menentang British kelak!

Begitulah, satu perintah, satu tagihan, yang menyusahkan warga Banjar Bendang DO. Ke mana hendak mengadu kerana dalam keadaan darurat begini, Penghulu tak ada, Ketua Kampung pun tak ada. Bagaimana ye!

Haji Bakri, Banjar dari suku kaum Rantau baandah (berhijrah) dari Kalimantan ke Sapat, Sumatera. Dari Sapat berhijrah pula ke Batu Pahat, Johor, dan bertemu jodoh di sana.

Isteri tua bangaran (bernama) Patmah binti Hj Hassan dan dikurniakan dua orang anak – Zainab dan Abdul Majid. Isteri muda bernama Samiah binti Hj Abdul Jalil dan dikurniakan tiga orang anak – Abdul Kadir, Abdul Hamid dan Siti Sarah.

Hj Abdul Kadir anak lelaki Hj Bakri dengan isteri muda memakai menggayakan jubah peninggalan arwah bapanya

Haji Bakri lemah lembut orangnya, sentiasa merendah diri matan (hinggakan) tak ramai yang tahu tentang ketinggian ilmunya – dunia dan akhirat. Setelah mendengar khabar tentang warga Banjar ramai menetap di Sungai Manik, beliau berhijrah ke sini sebelum Jepun memerintah Malaya. Dialah yang banyak mengajar agama dan membetulkan akidah warga Banjar di Sungai Manik. Lantaran itu dia diberi gelaran Patuan Guru (Tuan Guru)

“Kalau sampai menagih perempuan, itu sudah benar-benar melampau” ujar Tuan Guru yang sudah mula rasa garigitan (geram).

“Tak ada lain melainkan parang bungkol lawannya si haram jadah ni,” bebel Tuan Guru yang sudah habang miar (merah padam) muka kerana marah.

Tuan Guru Haji Bakri membuat pakatan sulit dengan warga Banjar Bendang DO yang bersetuju untuk menentang komunis.

Sebagai permulaan, lapan orang bibinian (perempuan) berjaya dikumpulkan, tapi kemudiannya hanya lima orang yang setuju, itu pun setelah jenuh memujuk. Memang benar pun, siapa yang rigi (sudi) dijadikan hulun (hamba) sex kepada pengganas komunis yang tak tau bahasa tu.

“Bukan kami bodoh manjulung (menghulur) budas (bulat-bulat) warga yang masih sunti melainkan ada helah, untuk dibuat umpan sementara” Tuan Guru manahapi (memberi kepastian).

Tempoh yang diberikan PKM hanya tinggal tiga hari saja lagi. Warga Banjar papasingnya(masing-masing)sibuk mangilir (mengasah) parang bungkol yang beranika gelaran. Tajamnya si Kandal Larap boleh dijadikan pisau cukur untuk membotakkan kepala. Ketika itulah dapat dilihat pelbagai ilmu dan amalan orang Banjar. Ada yang berendam semalaman dalam perigi buruk, ada yang berwirid siang malam tanpa henti, mandi buluh dan bermacam lagi petua. Betapa tidak, perjuangan antara hidup dan mati bukan boleh diambil mudah.

Rumah Tuan Guru Hj Bakri bersebelahan surau Parit 8, malaran (boleh tahan) jugaganalnya (besarnya). Diperbuat dari kayu harat (baik) zaman British – kukuh dan padu. Dalam rumah itulah warga Banjar mengatur strategi untuk berdepan dengan pengganas komunis. Carirapan (berkilau-kilauan) mata parang bungkol pesaka padatuan (moyang) yang dibawa dari kampung halaman di negeri Banjar, dan kebanyakannya sudah pernah dibasahi darah tentera Belanda. Memang sudah terbukti kehebatan parang-parang tersebut ketika digunakan memerangi penjajah di Kalimantan dulu. Pada masa itulah taungkai(terkeluar) nama atau gelaran yang tak pernah didengar sebelumnya.

Ketika itu, Tuan Guru Haji Bakri tak ada anak lelaki dewasa di Sungai Manik, yang ada hanya seorang cucu lelaki yang masih remaja berusia awal 20an. Acil, nama cucu kesayangannya.Macalnya (nakalnya) boleh tahan juga, tak jauh bezanya dengan anak-anak hari ini. Marga (disebabkan) kenakalan itulah, Tuan Guru Haji Bakri segera menurunkan ilmu kepada cucunya. Maka semakin bertambahlah kejaguhan si teruna ini.

“Nah, buat genggaman mu,” Tuan Guru Haji Bakri menghulur parang bungkol si “Mandam Layu” kepada cucunya. Fuh, cantik sungguh; hulunya diukir dari akar haur (buluh) betung, rumbai perca kain merah di hujung menambah keampuhann bila dipandang. Apa lagi, lihum bapair (senyum meleret) si Utoh Acil menerimanya.

Ranai guraknyap (sunyi sepi) seluruh Bendang DO kerana setiap buah rumah telah dikosongkan, penghuninya berpindah ke ruamah Tuan Guru – markas warga Banjar di Parit 8.

“Mudah-mudahan kita semua dilindungi Allah…Allahuakbar” ujar Tuan Guru Haji Bakri ketika melepaskan warga Banjar memulakan gerak menghampiri markas PKM di muara Bendang DO tengah malam itu.

Pagi Sanayan (Isnin), dengan terbitnya matahari di ufuk timur, maka sampailah sudah saat dan ketikanya warga Banjar di Bendang DO membuat perhitungan dengan gerombolan haram jadah - tentera PKM.

Sasain (semakin) cariningan (bercahaya) wajah 8 orang perempuan Banjar yang sudahditatapi (disolek) dan dibingkingi (didandan). Fuh rasa tak dapat lagi mamadahakan(menceritakan), rambang mata sekiranya disuruh memilih tunggal ikungan (satu persatu).

Wajah perempuan yang mulanya takurisit katakutanan (kecut ketakutan) mula nampakhabang (merah), dan juga garang! Membara sungguh nampaknya kerana baru saja diminumkan air garangsang (jampi) Tuan Guru. Mudahlah nanti kalau tak ada yang lemah semangat atau lamah buluan (gementar) bila berdepan musuh. Atau kalau ada yang tak tahan melihat darah mangarabuak (membuak-buak) di medan pertempuran.

Mak ooii, kabubungasan (cantik sungguh) tiga orang anak dara ni…milik siapalah gerangan!

Emoh, Acil dan Sabran baru saja didandan manyalumur (menyamar) jadi bibinian(perempuan). Hebat juga hasil tatapan (solekan) warga perempuan Banjar di Bendang DO, mungkin juga boleh mengalahkan ‘mak nyah’ yang terkedek-kedek. Tapi mereka perlu berhati-hati jangan sampai terselak landau (betis), nanti kelihatan pula bulu kaki hirang(hitam) lebat…pecahlah tembelang.

Kira-kira jam 9.00 pagi, bajurut (berduyun-duyun) ‘perempuan’ Banjar tersebut berjalan sebaris meghala ke markas PKM di muara Bendang DO, didahului oleh Ali dan Amat Tuban sebagai wakil penyerahan. Mereka berdua ditangati (dilarang) membawa sebarang senjata. Tapi, orang Banjar tak kan sanggup meninggalkan senjata apatah lagi bila menghala ke medan juang. Lading balati (pisau belati) setajam pisau cukur sudah lama tersisip di pinggang masing-masing. Cuma baju saja yang membuatnya tak dapat dilihat dengan mata kasar.

Gerombolan komunis di markas Bendang DO terbahak-bahak ketawa, macam tak sabar lagimahadangi (menanti) lebih-lebih lagi tiga orang kepala komunis bernama Ah Boon, Ah Pau dan Ah Jang “Syok mau mali hooo….”

Asa lilihan (rasa gelihati) pun ada melihat tiga orang “anak dara” yang berjalan paling belakang kerana masing-masing bakalumbunan (berselubung) dengan tapih (kain). Umai(mak oi) panyupannya (pemalunya)…malu apa gerangan kalau tangan menggenggam erat hulu parang bungkol si “Kandal Larap”, si “Mandam Layu” dan si “Tungkih Kiwang”. Rasa kekok melangkah kerana tak biasa berjalan memakai kain bairitan (meleret labuh) begitu. Kesiannya…

Tuan Guru Hj Bakri yang tinggal seorang diri tidak bersuara lagi, tasbih di tangan langsung tak dilepaskan, berwirid kada sing mandakan (tanpa henti) di dalam surau. Kanak-kanak yang masih kecil pun tak berani menghampiri.

Jam 10, deretan “perempuan” tiba di hadapan markas PKM di muara Bendang DO. Lantas si Amat Tuban dan Ali menyerahkan mereka kepada ketua komunis.

Semakin kuat gelak ketawa mereka, gembira tak terperi ibarat bulan jatuh kaasuhan (ke riba). Tak disangka warga Banjar seluruh Bendang DO yang kononnya berani menentang Bintang Tiga hanya omong kosong. Riuh rendah markas dengan dialog Cina, mengumpat agaknya. Benar-benar celaka 13!

“Hei tepilah…lu sana” salah seorang kepala komunis mahingkau (menengking) sambil menolak kasar si Ali dan Amat Tuban. Tiga orang kepala komunis terus memeriksa dari depan ke belakang, menyelak salungkui (selubung) satu persatu. Rambang mata. Yang lainnya turut sama barumbung (berkerumun) tak ubah seperti macan (harimau) yang laparkan daging manusia. Akhirnya nyanyat (gian) hingga tak terjaga lagi markas taktikal.

Sampai kegiliran diyang (gelaran anak dara Banjar) bungas (cantik) yang kelima, si Ah Boon kepala komunis…

“Ai yaaa, manyak cantik lo ha…” jarigi (jari) mula hendak merayap kerana kapingin(teringin) benar manjapaie (menyentuh). Babaya (baru) hendak maragap (memeluk) untuk mencium…

“Bangsat, seteru babi haram jadahhh…Allahuakbarrr!!!” hingkau (tengking) si Emoh sing hangkuian (dengan kuat).

“Nah ambil habuan engkau sangkala.”

Labukkk….si Kandal Larap hinggap ke sasaran tanda patuh kepada tuannya. Mandabuk kepala si haram jadah jatuh ke tanah bercerai dengan badan, manggalaguak (membuak) darah dalam jantung membasahi bumi Sungai Manik. Acil menerkam si Ah Jang yang sedang tergamam.

Labukkk…mata parang si Mandam Layu hinggap, layu dan longlai leher si Ah Jang terkena libasan parang bungkol si Mandam Layu. Sebiji lagi kepala ketua komunis gugur ke bumi.

Bukkk…timpasan (tetakan) diayun oleh Sabran. Ternyata benar si Tungkih Kiwang tak pernah ingkar kepada tuannya – putus dua badan si Ah Pau. Tungkih Kiwang magun(masih) belum puas – memenggal puluhan gulo (leher) musuh. Pagat basadinan (putus serta merta), humbalingan (bergelimpangan) kepala komunis di halaman markas PKM Bintang Tiga.

Bubuhan (warga) Banjar Bendang DO yang sudah setengah malam basungkup(bersembunyi) dalam parit tak berair bingkas bak cendawan busut, manyasah (mengejar) anak buah Bintang Tiga yang sedang dalam kapipiyangan (kebingungan).

“Allahuakbarrr!!!” babaya (sebaik saja) taparak (menghampiri) musuh yang rahat (sedang)bakatumbahan (lintang pukang), mereka terus melibaskan parang. Belum sempat mengangkat senapang, tubuh mereka sudah dihinggapi parang bungkol. Fuh, macam menebang gadang (batang) pisang.

34 orang orang anggota PKM taampar (terdampar) di tangan Banjar Bendang DO. Darah merah membasahi bumi, mayat galing-galingan (bergelimpangan), senjata musuhhumbalingan (bertaburan). Mandakannya (mujurlah) tak seorang pun warga Banjar yang terkorban atau tercedera, cuma baju dan seluar mereka saja yang merah kacuratan (terkena percikan) darah musuh.

Bangsal komunis diselongkar. Ceh, yang ada cuma seguni beras dan perkakas memasak. Tanpa banyak bicara, Acil memikul guni beras untuk dibawa balik.

Namun, tak sepucuk pun senjata raifel MK5 yang hambur tauran (bertaburan) diambil. Tak teringin langsung, tak berkenan atau tak tau menggunakan makanya dibiarkan begitu saja.Mangararau (merah menyala) mandah (terbakar) markas kecil PKM di muara Bendang DOdisalukut (dibakar). Dengan itu berbalaslah sudah kematian arwah si Utoh Putih.

Berkubang sakan warga Banjar membersihkan awak (badan) dalam parit besar di hadapan rumah Tuan Guru Hj Bakri. “Sudahlah” hahalulung (terpekik terlolong) pakcik Sukri – yang tak turut serta dalam pertarungan – memanggil mereka naik.

Azan di surau menandakan masuknya waktu Zohor. Selepas meunaikan solat dan makan tengahari, para pejuang Banjar merebahkan badan kepenatan, memenuhi anjung, pelantar, serambi dan surau kecuali Acil, Emoh dan Sabran. Mereka bertiga menceritakan perlaksanaan rancangan yang sarabanya (serba serbinya) berjalan lancar.

Lihum bapair (meleret senyuman) Tuan Guru Haji Bakri mendengarnya.

Markas besar PKM di Sungai Tungko gempar (gigir) seperti (ilah) anak ayam kehilangan ibu. Kekalahan yang tidak diduga – tiga orang pegawai mereka terkorban – bak tikaman duri berbisa dalam sejarah perjuangan PKM di Hilir Perak. Sementara menanti (pahadangan)ketibaan pegawai lain, tak seorang pun anggota komunis yang berani menunjukkan muka di Bendang DO.

Lain pula kisahnya dengan warga Banjar yang berhimpun di rumah Tuan Guru. Lelaki dan perempuan sibuk (auran) menggunting kain bakal dibuat wafak Selindang Merah.

Tuan Guru Hj Bakri sudah mendapat firasat: pertumpahan darah di muara Bendang DO tak kan berakhir (tuntung) begitu saja.

Warga Banjara seluruh Sungai Manik harus membuat persediaan awal untuk menghadapai peperangan terbuka, dan mungkin berpanjangan. Peperangan seterusnya bukan saja tertumpu kepada penentangan terhadap PKM, tapi melibatkan sengketa kaum dan agama. Kalau sudah begitu kehendaknya, terpaksalah diteruskan juga. Alang-alang bermandi darah biarlah sampai ketitisan terakhir.

Mentang-mentang (mantangan) sudah dapat (taulihi) ketua baru yang datang dari pangkalan PKM di Sungai Galah, Tanjung Tualang, pengganas komunis di Sungai Tungko makin mengganas (mambala-bala) membalas dendam gamaknya. Setiap kampung berhampiran (bapaparakan) Sungai Tungko habis diganggu (diudaki), harta benda di ambil, anak dara dan isteri orang sudah tak berkira lagi. Siapa yang berani melawan alamat tersungkur (tajalungkup) jadi sasaran peluru raifel MK5. Anak kecil yang masih dalam buaian (dipukongan) pun turut jadi korban, tanpa rasa belas kasihan. Tak cukup dengan perlakuan begitu, surau pula hangus dibakar.

Pejuang kemerdekaan tahi palat lah kalau begini!

“Sampailah sudah saat dan ketikanya wahai wargaku semua, demi Allah dan Rasulnya, aku isytiharkan Fisabilullah…Allahuakbar!” suara Tuan Guru Haji Bakri bertakbir dengan lantang.

“Allahuakbar, Allahuakbar, Allahuakbar!!!” warga Banjar menyahut seruan.

Setelah mendengar berita tentang tertewasnya gerombolan komunis di muara Bendang DO, keluarga Melayu yang menghuni perkampungan di pinggir Sungai Perak pula yang dijadikan mangsa PKM. Puluhan warga Melayu datang menemui Tuan Guru Hj Bakri meminta ilmu peperangan. Walaupun hanya diberi minum air jampi, itupun sudah cukup untuk meyakinkan orang Melayu yang berjanji untuk sama-sama menyerang PKM di Sungai Tungko.

Sementara itu, warga Banjar pula sebulat suara melantik Acil, cucu Tuan Guru sebagai Khalifah Fisabilullah – walaupun masih muda tapi ilmu sudah penuh di dada.

“Dengar, dengar semuanya, esok selepas Subuh kita bergerak menyerang markas si haram jadah di Sungai Tungko…Allahuakbar!!!” ujar si Acil memberi taklimat.

Hari masih lagi (magunai) kelam (tatarauan), selepas solat Subuh dan bersarapan (makanpupuluran) seadanya, warga Banjar yang bakal pergi menyerang markas PKM masing-masing menyarung pakaian serba putih, selindang merah melilit badan, tanjak (laung) di kepala juga berwarna merah, parang bungkol bergemerlapan. Waduh, melihat pakain begitu pun sudah boleh menimbulkan kegerunan, itu belum lagi berhadapan – meremang (mamburinjing) bulu roma. Sebaik saja selesai bacaan doa oleh Tuan Guru, mereka terus menuju Sungai Tungko.

Tak siapa dapat menduga, rupanya gerombolan PKM sudah sedia menanti ketibaan warga Banjar – seperti sudah dijanjikan. Laras raifel MK5 sedia tertatang, jari melekat di pemetik senapang, dan sebentar lagi bakal berterbanganlah peluru.

Di surau Parit 8, Tuan Guru Haji Bakri terus berzikir tanpa henti. Hanya Pakcik Sukri yang ulang alik ke rumah mengawasi anak isteri warga Banjar yang ditinggalkan demi Fisabilullah.

“Fisabilullah…Lailahaillallah…Allahuakbar!!!” jerit si Acil sebagai Khalifah perang memberi isyarat bermulanya peperangan.

“Lailahaillallah…” bergema suara warga Banjar berkalimah tanpa henti.

Selepas itu, kalingungan (bunyi peluru berterbangan), macam air hujan rancaknya peluru meninggalkan muncung (palumpong) senapang. Gerombolan PKM tercengang kahairanan kerana tak seorang pun warga Banjar yang dihinggapi peluru. Tanpa disedari, pejuang Banjar hanya sedepa (sajangkauan) di depan mata. Galabukan (ekspresi bunyi) mata parang bungkol menetak (manimpas) pantas (ancap), menghayun sekehendak hati. Senjata api yang dimegahkan (diungahakan) oleh komunis nyata tidak bermakna lagi. Akhirnya dibuat penangkis tetakan pejuang Banjar.

Si Kandal Larap dan adik beradik parang bungkol lainnya ketawa riang bermandikan darah. Cair (lanah) markas besar PKM Sungai Tungko dihancurkan (diaburakan) warga Banjar Bendang DO. Baju dan seluar masing-masing basah kuyup, hinggakan boleh diperah kerana dibasahi darah pengganas komunis.

“Allahuakbarrrr…” takbir si Acil khalifah parang bungkol meminta warga Banjar berhenti (bamandak). Bergelimpangan mayat, merah bumi Sungai Tungko dibasahi darah. Namun, lima orang ketua PKM terlepas lari (talapas bukahan) meninggalkan medan peperanagan.

Lari (bukah) bukan sebarang lari. PKM yang pendendam dan kental (kandal) dalam perjuangan tak akan membiarkan begitu saja.

Belum sampai seminggu selepas pertempuran di Sungai Tungko, berduyun-duyun (barara)ahli PKM datang dari setiap penjuru (pinjung) pos PKM di daerah Hilir Perak menghala ke Sungai Manik.

Pertemuan kali kedua lebih hebat lagi. Bukan setakat raifel MK5 saja yang mereka gunakan, bertimbun (batuyuk) Bren Gun dan berpeti-peti banyaknya bom tangan yang seperti buah jambu batu (karatukul). Namun, tak sedikit pun dapat melunturkan (manuhurakan)semangat juang warga Banjar Sungai Manik. Selain parang bungkol, kalimah “Lailahaillallah…Allahuakbar” itulah yang dipegang (dipingkuti) sebagai senjata utama warga kita.

Peperangan seterusnya tak dapat ditamatkan (dituntungakan) dalam sehari seperti sebelumnya. Sudah jadi syarat ilmu Tuan Guru Haji Bakri, walau musuh sedang mengamuk sekalipun, bila sampai masanya untuk berhenti, maka terpaksalah dihentikan…siapa yang berani melanggar syarat akan menerima padah.

Acil, khalifah parang bungkol Sungai Manik baru saja melaungkan kalimah “Allahuakbar” sebagai isyarat menghentikan peperangan untuk hari itu. Seperti biasa, para pejuang Sabilullah berkumpul untuk mengira dan mengenal-pasti setiap orang, manalah tahu kalau-kalau ada yang gugur, atau ada lagi yang masih meneruskan pertempuran.

Pernah terjadi seorang warga Banjar tak ada dalam perhimpunan. Melihat ketiadaan adiknya, si abang melanggar pantang larang dengan berpatah balik mengejar musuh dengan geram. Akhirnya abang dan adik hilang dan tak muncul lagi.

Sudah genap sebulan perang Sabil di Sungai Manik, tapi masih belum menampakkan tanda akan berakhir. Bertimbun, bergelimpangan mayat komunis namun mereka masih belum serik, malah semakin cekal. Kekuatan mereka bertambah saban hari, entah dari mana datangnya tak pula diketahui.

Dalam pada itu, gerombolan komunis di Seberang Sungai Perak makin mengganas, menyiksa dan membunuh orang Banjar dan Melayu di Kampung Gajah dan Balun Bidai. Orang Cina tidak pula diapa-apakan malah dijaga dengan baik. Begitu agaknya taktik kotor komunis untuk melemahkan semangat pejuang Sabilullah di Sungai Manik.

Sepanjang senja, di tepi rumah Tuan Guru Haji Bakri, riuh rendah murai (tinjau) berkicau tanpa henti.

“Kalau berita baik, bawalah kemari, kalau buruk jauhkanlah” begitulah selalunya kata-kata orang tua Banjar bila mendengar kicau murai diwaktu senja. Betapa ada kebenarannya. Selepas solat Isyak malam itu…

“Assalamualaikum!!!” kedengaran suara memberi salam di depan surau. Serentak jemaah menyambut salam. Setelah diamati (dijanaki)…bergegas (badadas) Tuan Guru turun ke tanah lalu memeluk sambil menepuk belakang oramg yang memberi salam.

“Selamat datang adikku” kata-kata aluan Tuan Guru membuat warga Banjar lainnya terpinga-pinga (tarangakan) kerana tak seorang pun yang kenal (pinandu).

Masmuda, adik (ading) Tuan Guru Hj Bakri baru saja tiba dari Batu Pahat. Si Acil terus menerkam datuk saudara (paninian mamarina) yang tidak kurang hebatnya. Ialah, kalau sudah sedarah sedaging, ke mana lagi tumpahnya ilmu.

Perang Sungai Manik sedang rancak, keadaan di Balun Bidai dan Kampung Gajah semakin genting. Saban hari gerombolan komunis mencari pasal.

“Tak boleh dibiarkan, semakin menjadi-jadi benar keganasan mereka” rungut Tuan Guru Hj Bakri bercampur marah.

Para pejuang Sabilullah sepakat melantik Masmuda sebagai Khalifah perang mengganti Acil di Sungai Manik. Tuan Guru Hj Bakri dan Acil pula akan turun ke Balun Bidai secepat mungkin.

Wafak Selindang Merah dibuat khusus untuk warga di seberang Sungai Perak. Salah seorang tukang tulis kalimah Allahuakbar Selindang Merah bernama Asmuni.

Hj Asmuni, tukang tulis kalimah Allahuakbar di Selendang Merah sedang memegang tongkat peninggalan arwah Tuan Guru Haji Bakri

Pertama kali Masmuda memimpin pejuang Sabilullah di Sungai Manik, ketara benar kehebatannya. Musuh melepaskan tembakan ke atas, peluru berterbangan seperti air hujan menerjah angin kosong (puang). Pada pandangan mereka, para pejuang Sabilullah semuanya tinggi, setinggi pohon getah maka itulah mereka asyik menghalakan tembakan ke atas. Ketika itulah para pejuang Sabilullah menyerbu, menebas, menetak dan memancung musuh. Baru sekejap, bersih (lingai) medan pertempuran.

Namun, antara musuh yang gugur di hujung parang bungkol pejuang Banjar, terdapat ramai yang menyebut kalimah Allah. Setelah diamati ternyata mereka adalah orang Melayu dan Banjar yang sudah terpedaya menyertai perjuangan komunis. Dalam pertempuran sukar untuk mengasingkan antara Banjar, Melayu dan Cina kerana mereka semuanya menyarung pakaian seragam Bintang Tiga.

Para pejuang PKM masih lagi berdegil, tak mengerti makna putus asa. Sambil menanti bantuan dari Sungai Karang seberang Teluk Anson, mereka meneruskan (manyalajurakan)perjuangan.

Mujurlah (madakannya) Allah tidak mengizinkan. Tongkang yang sarat membawa gerombolan PKM karam di tengah Sungai Perak, tak jauh dari Pulau Galagak dekat pelabuhan Teluk Anson.

Melambak gerombolan Cina komunis yang tak pandai berenang (bakunyung) tenggelam batu dan mati lemas. Manakala gerombolan komunis bangsa Melayu dan Banjar yang rata-ratanya pandai berenang terselamat dan sempat berenang ke Pulau Galagak. Kalau tidak, pastinya sesama Islam bakal bertempur di Sungai Manik. Sesungguhnya Allah lagi maha mengetahui.

Berita yang melemahkan perjuangan PKM – ranapnya pejuang mereka di Sungai Manik di tangan warga Banjar di bawah pimpinan Masmuda, panglima Selendang Merah Batu Pahat, Johor.

Dalam pada itu, ramai orang Melayu dan Banjar di Balun Bidai, Kampung Gajah dan kampung-kampung berhampiran memilih untuk lari ke dalam hutan meninggalkan rumah masing-masing kerana komunis semakin mengganas, menembak rumah membabi buta. Mengamuk kononya. Untuk apa melepaskan geram terhadap mereka yang tak tahu menahu!

Lain pula ceritanya dengan kaum Cina yang menghuni kawasan sekitar. Hampir semuanya menyokong perjuangan PKM, dan kerana itulah mereka tidak di ganggu.

Tuan Guru Haji Bakri, Acil dan Emoh selamat menyeberang Sungai Kinta dan sampai di Kampung Changkat, Bayas, Balun Bidai. Sungguh tak disangka rupanya warga Banjar di situ tak juga kurang keberanian mereka.

Acil pula dilantik sebagai Khalifah surau Changkat Bayas, markas pejuang Sabilullah di Balun Bidai. Selendang dan tanjak merah yang dibawa dari Sungai Manik diagih-agihkan sehelai seorang. Pun begitu, sekiranya ada yang memiliki ‘wafak’ sendiri, mereka dibenarkan memakainya. Begitulah cara orang Banjar – walau setinggi mana pun ilmu sendiri, namun ilmu orang lain tetap dihormati. Mencerca (mawada) menghina (mahapak) kebolehan orang lain bukan Banjar namanya.

Siang malam kedengaran bunyi tembakan di pinggir Balun Bidai, entah apa yang mereka tembak tidak pula diketahui. Membunuh dan menyiksa orang, itu sajalah kerja mereka. Setengahnya bertujuan menakutkan – konon komunis masih lagi kuat walaupun sudah tewas di Sungai Manik. Hii, geram betul.

Pada mulanya hampir tujuh puluh orang warga Banjar yang sanggup turut serta sebagai pejuang Sabilullah. Yang penakut (pamburisit) dibenarkan tinggal mengawasi anak isteri mereka yang bakal pergi menyerang markas PKM di tebing Balun Bidai. Tuan Guru Haji Bakri tetap seperti biasa – bersendirian berzikir dan membaca ayat-ayat di surau. Sampai saat dan ketikanya, pergilah para pejuang menuju sarang komunis di tebing Balun Bidai.

Lailahaillallah…Allahuakbar!!!” maka bermulalah perang sabil di daerah Kampung Gajah, Perak.

Khalifah Acil yang masih muda sudah berbulan menentang musuh di Sungai Manik. Boleh dikatakan setiap kali pergi berjuang, darah musuh sampai kering di badan. Medan pertempuran dibuatnya seperti padang permainan. Degil, menari (baigal) menahan tembakan komunis membuat musuh semakin geram. Ditembak tak langsung memberi bekas.

Musuh semakin menghampiri para pejuang Sabilullah.

“Timpasss!!!” (tetak) ujar si Acil berteriak. Apa lagi, parang bungkol terus mandi darah.

Peperangan di Balun Bidai melahirkan seorang lagi wira Banjar bernama Mawi, pemilik parang bungkol bergelar si Kajang Rungkup. Kalau berhadapan musuh, dia tidak teragak-agak untuk menerkam (marungkup) dan menyembelih, seperti menyembelih leher lembu. Yang menghairankan, musuh yang sudah kena terkam langsung jadi lemah tak bermaya untuk melawan. Itulah keajaiban parang bungkol si Kajang Rungkup.

Setelah berakhir perang di Balun Bidai, Acil diberi gelaran “Acil Wani” (Acil Berani). Sebut saja nama Acil, seluruh warga Banjar kenal padanya.

Bela (haragu) bukan sebarang bela, bela ada muslihat (sipatan). Warga Cina yang ramai bermastautin disetiap pelosok Kampung Gajah sudah mula mencebik (kulibian) bila bertemu orang Melayu.

“Wahai kaumku, perang sabil saja diolah (dipiulah) oleh orang Melayu yang banyak menjurus kepada perkauman. Mereka merancang untuk menghapuskan bangsa Cina seluruh Tanah Melayu, itulah tujuan sebenarnya. Tergamakkah (purunkah) tuan-tuan membiarkan bangsa sendiri hancur lebur dipijak-pijak (dilincai) orang Melayu? Tentunya kalian tak sanggup. Nah apa lagi yang ditunggu, jom kita bersatu, kita tentang sampai ketitisan darah terakhir!”begitulah bunyinya kempen PKM setiap kali bertemu orang Cina di Kampung Gajah. Mereka yang sudah rasa terhutang budi kerana selama ini dilindungi, dijaga sebaiknya oleh PKM akhirnya bersetuju berjuang demi bangsa dan agama mereka.

Orang Cina tak dapat melihat muslihat disebalik kemanisan kata-kata PKM – memperbodoh (mawalohi) orang Cina untuk kepentingan sendiri dengan melagakan (menyaung) Cina dan Melayu. Betapa tidak, sudah banyak pengganas komunis kecundang di tangan pejuang Banjar.

Orang Cina mula menghimpunkan serba serbi (sarabanya) keperluan – parang besar, parang bengkok, kayu pengandar tempinis seadanya dengan tujuan untuk berperang. Sekiranya terserempak dengan orang Melayu, tak kira kecil atau besar bakal habislah mereka kerjakan.

Pertemuan secara berdepan antara pejuang Sabilullah dengan orang Cina dan pengganas komunis di pinggir Kampung Sungai Galah tak kurang jua sengitnya dibandingkan dengan yang sebelumnya. Lenguh (katuran) tangan warga Banjar kerana terlalu pantas (ancap)mengayun (mailai) parang bungkol. Baju dan seluar basah kuyup (jimus) dengan darah. Mayat musuh bergelimpangan di sana sini, namun jumlah mereka masih belum berkurangan (rawak), malah semakin ramai (manjarau).

“Allahuakbar, Allahuakbar, Allahuakbar!!!” jerit si Acil tiga kali sebagai isyarat supaya berundur seketika untuk menghilangkan penat dan membuat strategi lain. Melihat pejuang Sabilullah mula berundur, warga Cina riuh mangajuk (mauyati) zikir Lailahailallah.

“Lailahailalit…Malayu kasi habit!!!” mereka merasakan sudah beroleh kemenangan.

Mendengar zikir dipermainkan, Mawi si Kajang Rungkup hilang sabar. Serta merta dia berpatah balik mengejar musuh. Sayang, hajatnya untuk menerkam tak kesampaian. Bertalu-talu peluru Bren Gun komunis hinggap ke badan. Huyung hayang (tajumpipir) Mawi lalu rebah.

“Habislah Mawi!!!” semua warga Banjar yang melihat terasa sedih.

Tak sampai 10 minit berselang, Mawi yang bergolek kesakitan (bapangsar) di atas tanah bingkas bangun.

“Mati aku, mati aku, mati aku!” ujar Mawi yang berlari anak (bukah maanak) balik ke kumpulan, sambil mengibas (bakipuh) membuang peluru yang sudah leper yang melekat (marikit) penuh (papak) seluruh badan. Mawi yang disangka sudah mati rupanya masih (magunai) hidup.

“Bah rasa berbahang (mambarangat) Cil ai…hampir (manggisit) terbakar (mandah) aku abang (kakak) Emoh ai!” ujar Mawi mengadu. Khalifah Acil ketawa terbahak-bahak, tak dapat menahan kelucuan teringat karenah Mawi.

Senyum meleret (lihum bapair) si Emoh sambil mengipas Mawi yang sedang kepanasan, tapi masih lagi boleh bergurau (bahuhulut). Begitulah karenah orang Banjar.

Mawi, kalau belum sampai ajal sememangnya kebal. Bukan sekali dua dia bakipuh begini.

Masa bertugas sebagai Home Guard mengiringi tuan lombong orang Inggeris Changkat Tin, dia pernah diserang hendap oleh Bintang Tiga ketika sedang menaiki Loko (keretapi kecil pengangkut bijih timah). Terpandang tuan orang Inggeris yang sudah mati terkena tembakan, Mawi melepaskan raifel di tangan lalu mengejar komunis dengan parang bungkol. 5 orang pengganas maut (jingkar) ditetak dengan Kajang Rungkup. Entahlah, adakah anak-anaknya yang mewarisi ilmu si bapa!

Hari semakin lewat (landung), para pejuang Sabilullah terpaksa meninggalkan medan perjuangan kerana masa dan ketika untuk berhenti sudah pun tiba. Musuh masih riuh berteriak (karahongan) mengajak berlawan tanda tak puas hati, tapi setelah tak dilayan, mereka pun senyap. Mawi yang masih sakit seluruh badan (ringkutan saawakan) ditandu balik.

Sementara itu, orang Melayu dari Kampung Gajah berduyun-duyun datang menemui Tuan Guru Haji Bakri di surau Changkat Bayas. Tak sampai sepuluh orang yang sempat (sawat)memperoleh selendang merah kerana itu sajalah baki yang ada. Walau bagaimana pun, semuanya diberi minum air perangsang (banyu garangsang) dan diberi amanat – kalau boleh, hapuskan saki baki dan zuriat komunis di Kampung Gajah.

Memang menjadi, tak sia-sia pemberian Tuan Guru. Tak sempat menunggu esok sudah riuh dan gempar orang Melayu menyerang orang Cina di Kampung Gajah. Di mana saja terdapat kediaman mereka, habis dimusnahkan.

Orang Melayu di Kampung Gajah sudah jadi berani setelah menuntut ilmu orang Banjar – angkara Ali Amin yang memperdagangkan ilmu kepada orang Melayu.

Ali Amin…..kerana tak mahu bekerja seperti orang lain, bila tak berduit, ilmu dijualnya. Hampir tercetus pergaduhan dimarahi Acil dan Emoh. Oleh kerana malu, akhirnya dia meninggalkan Balun Bidai, dan terus hilang tanpa berita.

Sudah tiga hari para pejuang Sabilullah merehatkan badan. Esok pagi bakal bermula perjuangan baru – menyerang musuh di pinggir Kampung Sungai Galah. Menurut firasat Tuan Guru Hj Bakri, peperangan esok mungkin yang terakhir. Para pejuang memujuk Mawi supaya jangan turut serta kerana masih belum sihat sepenuhnya. Tapi orang yang keras hati sepertinya tak makan pujuk.

“Kenapa gerangan, penakut benarkah aku ni?” ujarnya dengan nada marah.

Sepetang suntuk Mawi bersilat memantapkan langkah 12 (seni silat orang Banjar), dengan tujuan untuk menerkam bersungguh-sungguh agaknya. Serba salah (saraba ngalih), kalau ditinggal, mau saja menonong (mangunyur) mengikuti dari belakang (manunti) seorang diri. Selepas dibenarkan (diinggihakan) barulah dia senyap (ranai).

Zikir Lailahaillallah tak berhenti-henti, musuh yang sudah bersedia menanti begitu ramai.

“Fisabilullah Allahuakbar!!!” laung Khalifah Acil sambil berlari di hadapan menghampiri musuh. Kelentungan (kalintingan) senjata berlaga. Orang Cina pun apa kurangnya – bermacam kebolehan dan kemahiran dipamer dalam perjuangan penentuan antara hidup dan mati.

Sedang rancak bertarung, orang Cina terpinga-pinga kerana dengan tiba-tiba kelibat orang Banjar sudah tidak kelihatan. Pengganas komunis yang bijak bersembunyi di merata penjuru mula keluar dari tempat persembunyian untuk mengejar dan mencari pejuang-pejuang Banjar. Hilai ketawa mereka membayangkan seperti sudah mencapai kemenangan.

Namun, kegembiraan mereka cuma sementara. Sungguh tak disangka, tiba-tiba parang bungkol berterbangan sendirian macam air hujan menetak (manimpas), melibas (merawis) dan menikam (manyuduk) hingga tak dapat dielak. Banjir (baah)Kampung Sungai Galah dengan darah. Lintang pukang pengganas komunis lari menghala ke hutan Tambun. Tak boleh ditunggu (kada magan di hadang) lagi kerana lailahailait Cina sudah potong habit.

Bagaimana (dimapang) parang boleh terbang sendiri kalau tak ada kudrat dan iradat yang mengarahkan. Sebenarnya orang Banjar jua yang bersungguh-sungguh (bahimat) menetak(manimpasi), cumanya mereka tidak kelihatan kerana sudah berada di alimul (alam) ghaib.

Keberanian orang Banjar turut menaikkan semangat orang Melayu di merata tempat. Perkampungan Cina di sepanjang Sungai Perak dan Chenderong Balai ranap dibakar dik dendam orang Melayu yang sudah lama menderita ditindas komunis. Selepas itu barulah tentera upahan British bangsa Punjab tiba untuk mengamankan Sungai Manik dan Kampung Gajah.

Sejak itu, tidak ada lagi orang Cina di Kampung Gajah. Saki baki pengganas komunis yang masih hidup lari ke dalam hutan.

Tuan Guru Haji Bakri, 57 tahun kembali ke Rahmatullah di Mekah tanggal 26 September 1950. Jasadnya disemadikan di Perkuburan Ma’ala, Mekah.

Wallahua'lam
*Respect

Sifuu Rosman
 — with Chezaha Jusoh.

Saturday, May 23, 2015

To help people understand... http://www.udg.org.uk/careers

Urban Design as a Career

For a taste in what a career in Urban Design might entail, and the different paths that you could follow, please view these short personal stories and insights. 
Leo Hammond CABEKaty Neaves Urban DesignEducation and Employment in Urban DesignKatja Stille Urban Designudg
Working in Urban Design: Leo Hammond. Former Senior Design Advisor. Design Council/CABE.
Employment in Urban Design : Katy Neaves. Associate Director.Turley Associates
Urban Design in Practice :  Katja Stille. Associate. Tibbalds Planning and Design
Carving an urban design role in city planning: Peter Kelly. Forward Planning. London
 

What is urban design?

Urban design is the process of shaping the physical setting for life in cities, towns and villages. It is the art of making places. It involves the design of buildings, groups of buildings, spaces and landscapes, and establishing the processes that make successful development possible.

Why are so many places so badly designed?

Why are the places we are building so different from the places we like? So many new developments snuff out what makes a place special and give the impression of having been designed (if that is the word!) by someone with no sense of what makes a successful place.
Why is so much development so badly designed? The fact that 84 per cent of planning applications are drawn up by someone with no design training may have something to do with it.
But being trained in design does not necessarily mean that the person responsible for the development will designing something that might make a successful place. After all, they may not have seen that as their job. They may have been thinking only of limited and short-term aims: to build something that the developer can sell quickly; or to serve the building’s users, rather than making a more pleasant experience for people passing by.
The public interest is wider, and longer term. Urban design appeals to people who are interested in more than just the design of a single building or the interests of a single user. What gets urban designers out of bed in the morning is the challenge of creating a place that will be used and enjoyed by a wide range of different people for different purposes, not only now but in years to come.

A new profession

Urban design is one of the newest professions. The label ‘urban designer’ is little more than 25 years old. Much of what urban designers do – shaping the places where we live – was done by professionals of various kinds before then, but the job was seen from the perspective of particular professions. Architects and planners used to argue about the roles of their two professions.
Architects would accuse planners of interfering with aesthetic matters about which they were not qualified to judge. Planners would accuse architects of designing buildings solely as objects, with little attempt to take account of their context or of their likely impact on the surroundings. In 1978 some architects and planners called a truce. This professional sniping is pointless, they said. We have something in common: we are all in the business of making places. That should be the basis of our working together.
People with a mission
The Urban Design Group was formed, and soon architects, planners, landscape architects, engineers, public artists and a range of other professionals were declaring their commitment to urban design. Their mission was to change how the environment was shaped.
They argued that architects should be concerned with the place, not just with designing a building to satisfy the client’s demands alone. Planners should be concerned, not just with land use, but with the physical form of development. Landscape architecture should be involved in analysing and understanding sites at the start of the planning and design process, rather than being brought in at a late stage to disguise ugly buildings with some planting. Highway engineers should use their skills to make places that are pleasant to be in and to walk through, rather than focusing narrowly on keeping the traffic moving.
New projects, new skills
Twenty-five years later, urban design is a mainstream professional activity, which local and central government and local communities greatly value. But urban design has not turned into a new profession somewhere between architecture and planning. Urban design is more than that: it is a set of skills, a state of mind and a way of thinking.
Some urban designers have a background in planning, some in architecture or landscape architecture, some in geography, engineering or economics, and many in more than one field. Urban designers do not have a standard set of skills that, once learned, can be applied mechanically for the rest of their careers. The best urban design involves working in teams with groups of professionals with a wide range of complementary skills, and with non-professionals who have their own knowledge and expertise. Urban designers learn new skills and aptitudes with each project.
Why is urban design important?
Urban design is a key to making places that are successful both socially and economically, good to live in, and attractive to visit. Urban design is essential in creating community identity. It effective planning in the widest sense, and it can help to deliver better public services. It also helps to achieve value for money in new developments, and to make good use of scarce resources. Careful urban design may contribute to a reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour.
What do urban designers do?
  1. Developing ‘visions’ for places – using creativity and imagination to invent or re-invent the environments we live and work in.
  2. Designing built spaces – from whole towns and neighbourhoods to individual streets or squares.
    Advising on the design of developments and regeneration projects.
  3. Researching and analysing places and people – understanding the physical, political, economic, spatial and psychological context of the places you work with and the people who use them.
  4. Influencing people by using your skills and knowledge to help others make better decisions and teach them how to make successful places.
  5. Developing guidance and policies relating to the built environment.
  6. Community consultation – helping the public to take part in planning and designing their neighbourhoods.
  7. Graphic representation – from sketching and technical drawing to using the latest technologies and packages in visualisation and computer aided design.
What is an urban designer?
A wide variety of people call themselves urban designers. In one sense anyone who is involved in making places is active in urban design: hence the Urban Design Alliance (UDAL) brings together many of the built environment professions. Even if you do a university course in ‘urban design’, exactly what you learn will depend on which university you choose, as on other courses. The various urban design courses have different emphases.
It is important to understand that urban design is not an accredited profession. There is no professional body that decides what should be on the curriculum of an urban design course, or what expertise and knowledge you need to be able to practise as an urban designer.
An urban designer needs a broad understanding of cities, towns and villages, and ways of making them work better. This involves understanding how the planning system operates, how developers make their sums add up, how to assess what makes a particular place special, how to make places easy to move around by foot and vehicle, how to bring life to places that have become run down, how to conserve historic buildings, how to make the most of the landscape, how to think about the future of small and large development sites, how to involve local people, how to make sure that projects actually happen, how to communicate effectively, how to negotiate, and how to write design policy and guidance.
That sounds like a lot of subjects! But they are all related, and each explains a bit more about how urban places work. The urban designer is not expected to be an expert on all of them, but it is essential to be able to see the whole picture.
More about what urban designers do
A list elsewhere on this website sets out tasks that are carried out by urban designers (whether or not they call themselves that). There is probably no single person who is fully competent in all of them. Think of the list as an exciting menu of possibilities.
The terminology of the items on the list may not mean much to you (like any specialisation urban design has its own specialist language, and the best urban designers take care not to use it to bamboozle people). But the list of things that urban designers do will give you an idea of the range of tasks. Seewww.udg.org.uk/urban_design_tasks
Enjoying complexity
Some people engaged in urban design call themselves urban designers (although at a party they may have to explain what that means). Others may use another professional label, or they may prefer not to be labelled at all. Many urban designers are members of more than one professional institute, and they are happy not to fit into any professional pigeonhole. It is not necessary to be a member of a professional institute at all in order to practise as an urban designer (similarly architects and planners do not have to be members of their professional institutes).
Old professions like accountancy and the law may be relatively predictable. Urban design appeals to people who do not want a simple and predictable life, but who are fascinated by the complexity and endless variety of cities, towns and villages.

We are all urban designers now

The multi-professional nature of urban design was reflected in the Urban Design Alliance (UDAL). This brought together most of the built environment professional bodies and some associated organisations. They recognise that all their members are, to some extent at least, urban designers, as their work shapes the built environment. UDAL saw its role as being to encourage closer collaboration between professions in their working lives and between their professional institutes. The Place Alliance formed in 2014 continues this work.  

Designing for an unpredictable future

Towns and cities are constantly changing, and in ways that are unpredictable. How will we be living, working, shopping or enjoying ourselves in 10, 20 or 30 years time? We don’t know. That does not mean that we can not plan and design. What it does mean is that we need to plan and design flexible frameworks that can accommodate change.
In thinking about the future, we need to understand the past and the present. We need to know about the physical characteristics of the places we are planning, including their landscape, waterways and ecologies. We need to understand local economic and market conditions. And we need to know about the people who live there – how they live, how they work, how they move about the area and what they hope for the place’s future.

A nose for politics

Whose interests do urban designers serve? It’s a tricky question. Any urban development is likely to affect different people in different ways. The developer has certain interests; the people who will occupy the buildings have others; people who pass by the buildings and use adjoining spaces will have interests of their own. On top of that there is what is called ‘the public interest’, which is hard to define.
The public interest is not just of the people in the locality, but perhaps also of those in other parts of the world who may bear the consequences of our use of resources. And the public interest concerns not just people today and in the immediate future, but future generations that will face the consequences of our decisions. Reconciling these potentially conflicting interests will appeal to someone who likes a challenge. In a democracy that reconciliation happens through the political process, which is why many of the best urban designers have an acute political nose

Interested in becoming an urban designer?

The scope of the job
Urban design offers a great deal of variety. Throughout your career you can work around the world; for yourself and for others; and in the public sector (for a local authority, for example) and in the private sector (for a consultancy or a developer, for example). Day-to-day activities are very diverse, and there is huge scope to specialise and learn new skills.
Qualifications required
A university undergraduate degree in any subject relating to the built environment or spatial design is a good start. You may then choose to take a postgraduate course in urban design or a related subject. These are offered by universities across the UK. Courses range from accessible certificate programmes to comprehensive masters degrees.
Best subjects to study
Architecture, town planning, landscape architecture, geography, engineering.
Number of years to qualify
Minimum three years undergraduate and one year postgraduate. Work experience is also highly recommended before or during postgraduate study. Maximum eight years.
Typical starting salary (London)
£20,000
Typical salary after five years
£35-40,000
Typical hours
35-45 hours per week
Proportion of time spent in office
How much time you spend in the office will depend on how you develop your role. On average you can expect to spend around 70 per cent of your week in the office and 30 per cent on site or with clients, for example.
Overseas travel
Urban designers working for private sector consultancies may work on overseas projects. China is an expanding market, for example.
Opportunities for part-time work
There are many opportunities for working part-time and also for working freelance.

What motivates you?

The broad scope of urban design means that people from all backgrounds and with diverse interests will find urban design an engaging and satisfying career.
Urban designers tend to come to the profession because they:
  • Find the complexity and variety of towns and cities exciting.
  • Enjoy art and design.
  • Are interested in the world we have built around us.
  • Appreciate the difference between a good and a bad place and want to improve our environment.
  • Understand the importance of using the world’s resources carefully and want to work towards a greener future.
  • Are interested in the political processes through which decisions are made.

Why is this job for me?

  1. Your work is will leave a legacy for the future.
  2. You are a part of the process that shapes the world around us.
  3. It is a new and growing activity. Good urban designers are in great demand. 

How can I find out more?

Professional bodies
See the websites of the individual professional bodies to find out about those particular specialisms:
The ICE was founded in 1818 by a small group of idealistic young men. Now the number of members has grown, and the ICE represents nearly 80,000 members worldwide. www.ice.org.uk
The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT) is a learned society concerned specifically with the planning, design, construction, maintenance and operation of land-based transport systems and infrastructure. www.iht.org.uk
The IHBC is the principal professional body for building conservation practitioners and historicenvironment specialists working in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, with connections to the Republic of Irelandwww.ihbc.org.uk
The Landscape Institute is an educational charity and chartered body responsible for protecting, conserving and enhancing the natural and built environment for the benefit of the public.www.landscapeinstitute.org
The Royal Institute of British Architects champions better buildings, communities and the environment through architecture and our members. www.architecture.com
The Royal Town Planning Institute is the UK's leading planning body for spatial, sustainable, integrative and inclusive planning. www.rtpi.org.uk
The Institute of Highway Engineers was founded in 1965 and celebrated "IHE at 40" in 2005. IHE is run by and for practical engineers and allied professionals who have ideas and commitment to sustainability and integritywww.ihie.org.uk

The Urban Directory 2011/13
The Urban Design Directory provides a list of the main urban design courses in the UK as well as details of around 40 practices specialising in urban design (this section is also available online here).
To obtain a copy of the Directory (price £12.50 inc. postage & packing), please send a cheque payable toUrban DesignGroup to:
Urban DesignGroup, 70 Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6EJ
For further information, please contact 020 7250 0892 or admin@udg.org.uk.
Other urban design links
Knowledge sharing and networking for professionals & academics in urban development. www.rudi.net
Supporting local communities to help them deliver and shape places and spaces that meet their needs.www.designcouncil.org.uk/CABE
Since the fall of the Iron Curtain, it has been recognized that the political, economic, and social division of Europe must be overcome. The Council for European Urbanism believes that cities and regions will play a special and integrating role in this process. Their renewal will influence the development of a diverse European Culture. www.ceunet.org

Architecture centres
Architecture centres present a wide range of information about issues relating to urban design. Contact your local centre, if you have one:
Architecture Centre Network 
www.architecturecentre.net
London Open House 
www.londonopenhouse.org
MADE (West Midlands) 
www.made.uk.net
The Architecture Centre, Kent 
www.architecturecentre.org
The Architecture Foundation 
www.architecturefoundation.org.uk
The Building Exploratory, Hackney 
www.buildingexploratory.org.uk
The Lighthouse, Glasgow 
www.thelighthouse.co.uk
The RIBA Architecture Gallery, London 
www.architecture.com

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Ban stresses ‘people power’ and partnerships at start of second term as UN chief


Ban stresses ‘people power’ and partnerships at start of second term as UN chief
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has begun his second term as Secretary-General of the United Nations by pledging to 
harness “the strong power of partnerships” to respond to the planet’s biggest challenges, such as tackling
 climate change, combating poverty and empowering women and girls.

In an interview today with the UN News Centre and UN Radio to mark the start of his second term, Mr. Ban, 67, stressed the need for unity, particularly among Member States and their citizens.

“Together, nothing is impossible,” he said, adding that “if we strengthen these partnerships among governments, business communities, civil organizations and philanthropists, then I think all these powerful partnerships can bring us towards the right direction.”

Mr. Ban reiterated his priorities for the second term, spelling out the five “generational opportunities” 
he sees for the UN: promoting sustainable development; preventing natural and man-made crises 

disasters; making the world safer and more secure; helping countries and peoples in transition; and 
encouraging gender empowerment.

“We have to connect the dots among climate change, [the] food crisis, water scarcity, energy shortages 
and women’s empowerment and global health issues. These are all interconnected issues.”

Mr. Ban, whose second five-year term as Secretary-General began on Sunday, said “people power” and 
deepening globalization represented the biggest development since he first took office in 2007.

“We have seen so many people – marginalized people, oppressed people – who have been yearning for 
democracy, their dignity and human rights. We have [a] heavy responsibility to help them in [their] transition to democracy. 

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

FIRST MALAY MAN TO GO AROUND THE WORLD - PANGLIMA AWANG

kisah sangat panjang PANGLIMA AWANG dari rekod bangsa Filipina
(saya tengah kaiitkan Panglima Awang hantar teknologi oil and gas ke ahli sihir eropah) rekod MARCO POLO sebelum panglima awang lahir kepulauan kita telah menganut ISLAM dan seluruh SAINSnya manakala KITA SELURUHNYA berwajah CINA
FIRST MAN TO GO AROUND THE WORLD (draft) copyright
A long time ago in the early 15th century, a young Malay in the Southwest Pacific had a destiny with history. The island nation around the Spice Islands in Southeast Asia was what this fated young boy called home. During this time of the Golden Age of Discovery, his history was being made.
Magellan Compass
This boy's story, however, begins half a world away in Portugal. In the early part of the century, Prince Henry the Navigator's fascination with exploration led to a base for sea exploration, an observatory, and most importantly, a school for geographers and navigators. His enthusiastic promotion laid the groundwork for the development of Portugal's sea power and colonial empire. It was only a matter of time until his inspired explorers sailed around the tip of South Africa, the Cape of Good Hope, (which, unfortunately, occurred after the Prince's death.) This opened the way for European exploration to the East. Following the path of Prince Henry's sea captains, Ferdinand Magellan of Portugal was able to reach the Malakas Islands, the desired Spice Islands. Up until then, the farthest east any European had been was to Sumatran peninsula, with Marco Polo's famed overland journey through central Asia. Magellan spent seven years on the Islands, brewing ideas of new and more creative ways of reaching them. Fully understanding the roundness of the world, he started to believe that he could reach the Spice Islands from the opposite direction, westward. Upon his departure, Magellan advised fellow Portuguese Francisco Serrao as Resident Officer of the Spice Islands, with the intention of meeting him there again by arriving from the opposite direction.
But Magellan departed with idea of sailing west, for the young boy of our story entered the explorer's life. Originally named Trapobana, the young boy had traveled from his home island in the Malay northeastern Archipelago to Malaca (near the present day Singapore) Quick and intelligent, he became remarkably familiar with the region and learned the local language in addition to his native dialect. The Portuguese had found the islands only after the Muslims had dominated them and made Malaca the central city for the spice-trading colony. Malaca was a market for nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves, as well as a market for slaves. Trapobana could have been considered a street-smart kid of the bustling area, but he was still one of many Malay who had been wandering about the entire archipelago for years. While in Malaca, Magellan met the young, slender, and dark-skinned boy whose proficiency with non-Native language and manners made him stand out from the rest of the people. Already well traveled in the region, Trapobana could easily serve as an interpreter and guide for his new project of journeying west. Magellan saw this in the boy and, remembering Portuguese naval tradition that allowed him to return with one captive slave, he took the boy along with his dream of discovering new land. With Magellan as his master, Trapobana, given the new Christian name Enrique, (after Prince Henry,) traveled west to Europe. The crewmembers called him Black Henry because he was so much darker than them. Others called him "muy ladino" because of his ability to learn and speak many languages.
After stopping in India and Africa, in 1512, Magellan returned to his old home and Enrique arrived at a new one. The King of Portugal at that time, clearly not an exploration enthusiast as Prince Henry was, laughed at Magellan's idea of sailing west instead of east to get to the Spice Islands. At the same time, news had spread of the Spanish explorer Balboa crossing Central America by land and discovering the vast Pacific Ocean. With Enrique at his side, Magellan secretly sought the aid of the King of Spain. By staging a Malayan dialogue between Enrique and a Sumatran slave-girl, he successfully presented the idea of circumnavigating the world to the court of Balboa's subsidizer. Having never heard nor seen anyone as exotic as Enrique, the King of Spain was both intrigued and delighted.
He provided Magellan with five ships, (the Santiago, the San Antonio, the Trinidad, the Concepcion, and the Victoria) and Spanish and other European sailors for his voyage. Magellan's crew consisted of 227 men, whose experience and talents in sailing varied greatly. Magellan's brother-in-law Duarte Barbosa, Juan Elcano, and Joao Serrano were the among the senior officers of the fleet. Enrique was listed as supernumerary on the Trinidad and highly paid at 1,500 maravedis per month. In addition he received an advance of 6,000 maravedis. Except for those Captains and senior officer his allowance was only exceeded by the ship's surgeon and the master's at arms. But there was also Pigafetta, an Italian Lombard who was perhaps the most educated of the crew.
If a loving relationship could never exist between a master and slave, Magellan and Enrique certainly defied the impossible. Magellan was a very faithful Christian and his religious mind struggled with the idea of slavery, especially for Christians. In his will, Magellan provided freedom and relief of all obligations for his slave Enrique, as well as some money. Enrique grew to love his master and served him faithfully for the many years they shared and struggled together. The two developed an unusual relationship consisting of mutual respect and affection.
"Let us go in the name of God," shouted Magellan from a bridge when he and his crew finally left Seville, Spain and begin their expedition on September of 1519. They easily crossed the Atlantic Ocean, an ocean already navigated but not nearly big enough to prepare for crossing of the vast Pacific.
They reached Brazil and Enrique, now past twenty years of age, quickly assured his master that this was not his homeland. Brazil was clearly not a 'land of lotus-eaters,' where spice would grow without much labor. But just as Magellan was a champion explorer for his race, Enrique was for his. Upon their arrival to Brazil, Enrique became the first of his kind to reach the Americas. This journey was not only a continual moment of discovery for the Europeans, but for the Malay people as well. While there, a native Brazilian woman presented Carvalho a seven-year-old boy named Joazito. He acknowledged the boy as his son, borne from his previous journey to the continent. Magellan allowed the boy, nicknamed Ninito, to join the armada with his father.
As the crew sailed south looking for a passage to the other side of the Americas, they stopped in Patagonia, what is now Argentina. Of all the tribes in the area, the most formidable, the most legendary, were the Tehuelche - known to be a gargantuan Indian race. Magellan and his men reacted to these people in fear and tricked these people into chains. Some were even forced into joining the expedition, more foreigners unknowingly and unwillingly forced to make history of their own. As the expedition continued their search to the other side of the Americas, they encountered starvation, disease, and more hostile people. Taking on a larger crew proved ill-judged, for the merchants in Seville had cheated Magellan out of the provision they carried onboard. Only after the crew had weakened and diminished did they find the secret to westward voyage, a strait that crosses the continent, later named after Magellan.
With the vast Pacific Ocean ahead, Magellan decided to steer the ships North towards the equator to avoid the cold Antarctic winds. Not only that, Magellan knew very well that the Spice Islands were on the same latitude as the equator. Still, he directed the ships even further north. Enrique, still a rather quiet player in this history-making event, knew about a group of islands very close to his home. With the education that Magellan generously provided for the young man, or perhaps with some innate knowledge of these islands, Enrique may have suggested to sail a little further north to reach them. Upon reaching the new latitude, they ventured west, companion to friendlier winds.
The Malay people, like the Europeans, were adventurous, and exploration and discovery were not unknown to them. It has been said that even a millenium before Magellan's fateful trip, the Malay had crossed the Pacific, traveling east from the other side. Perhaps not so heavily funded, perhaps with not quite as many crew and provisions, the primitive but brave expedition that the Malay people sent had landed itself on another island across the Pacific. The rugged and temperamental journey allowed only the most well endowed and toughest sailors to survive. On the 100th day of his journey, Magellan led his expedition without food now for few days to that island, now known as Guam, and encountered this group of heavyset people. These people were surprisingly as dark as Enrique, differing from him only in their build. Magellan's crew was close to starvation at this point. The two captive giant slaves did not survive the journey. But Enrique, seeing the familiar tan of the Guam people, sensed that they were near his home. He also observed the large ocean going outrigger on the harbor very similar to his ancestor's ships. With more provisions and yet another captive slave, the journey continued west.
After the losing the Santiago in a wreck at the tip of South America and the desertion of the San Antonio, the remaining three ships, the Trinidad, the Concepcion, and the Victoria, reached Homonhon Island, (in the group of islands now known as the Philippines,) on March 16, 1521. There, the new Guam slave taught the Europeans the techniques for fishing and hunting in the Pacific. A threat appeared as ten armed men on a canoe approached their ships, but they evoked a friendly spirit. Enrique, always the helpful interpreter, made equally friendly efforts to communicate with them. Unfortunately, he could not understand their language.
However, Enrique's amiability was not in vain. Several days later, the King of the island himself, adorned with gold ornaments, greeted them. Upon seeing such gold lavishings, a small feeling of greed arose the Spanish members of the crew. Magellan, demonstrating focus on his goal, a general moral Christian quality, and more importantly, an understanding of negotiation, warned his crew not to act to excited about the gold.
On the night of March 25, Pigaffeta fell into the water. He was evidently not a trained sailor, lacking the mere ability to swim even after travelling halfway the world. His presence in the voyage was still a great blessing to the world's history, for he provided the only written account of Magellan's long and famous journey. He started to compile lists of the native words he brought to Europe. H wrote the customs and habit he observed like kissing hands of the elders and person of nobility..
The ships headed toward a nearby land called Mazzava Island, still within the same group of islands. Another small boat of eight men approached them. Discouraged from the language barrier that he confronted at Homonhon, Enrique did not think they would understand him. To his surprise, his greeting in Malay dialect was returned. Reluctant to enter, the small boat stayed by the ship. Enrique was amazed at the fact that he could communicate with the people as they surrounded him, chattering, because he didn't quite realize why he could understand him. He had made it all the way around the world, back to Malay homeland that he left 12 years earlier, making him the first man to do so. Enrique's conversation with the Mazzava people definitively confirmed that the earth was round, not by what he was saying, but by the language with which he spoke. Magellan knew that he was close to reaching his goal, since he was once again amongst the Malay speakers.
Enrique, filled with excitement at being able to converse in his own language again, did not forget his obligation to his master and friend. He knew the natives' customs, relaying them to Magellan. Magellan, wishing to be a true ambassador, sought to gain acceptance from these people. In order to earn their trust, Magellan fastened a bright red cap and some gifts to a piece of wood and tossed it into the water as a peace offering. The people received the gifts, and they went to advise their king. A few hours later, two large native boats (called barangini) appeared filled with men, including their king. Enrique spoke his Malay dialect again, and the king himself replied. More comfortable with the newcomers, due to familiarity with Enrique, the king ordered some of his men to board the Spanish ships. Magellan and his crew established good relations with the natives and docked their fleet.
Perceiving how the natives were comfortable with Enrique, Magellan sent him as an emissary to the people. It was evident that they would be more likely to communicate with their own brown-skinned kind than with the white men in ghastly armor. Magellan's only worry, though an odd one, was that he would not be able to distinguish Enrique from the rest of them, especially if Enrique were in a similar loincloth. This was the land of Enrique's ancestors; to Magellan, they were all family. Ironically, Magellan desired the natives to distinguish between the Spanish and the Portuguese. Magellan sent Enrique the next day, Good Friday, with a formal greeting and gift glass beakers for their Rajah-King. Magellan himself exclaimed, "I am now in the land I hoped to reach!"
Enrique's tongue also remembered the native wine. According to a logbook on the ship, he celebrated his return home with a "drunken spree." He still fulfilled his obligation and acted as an emissary to the King. He explained that his crew had come as friends and that they wanted to buy some supplies. Because of all of Magellan's gifts, the King was already convinced of this. He presented Magellan with food supplies as well as native escorts to another nearby island called Cebu, which was an established trading port in the region. He even helped Magellan dress his ships to be immediately welcomed by Cebu.
It was an odd, almost ungainly sight that slowly sailed toward Cebu. Confused natives gathered on the shore watching the ships as they approached. The crew of a Chinese junk ship, also docked at Cebu, suspended their business for a moment to also behold the view. It was unlike anything the Cebu people had seen before. The familiar dress lines and colors of a typical friendly vessel of the Pacific was gaudily draped over European ships, ships completely foreign to them. Was this going to be like a Trojan Horse? The natives knew not whether to run or to welcome. Inside the ships, however, was a proud and excited crew. Magellan did have much to be proud of: successful negotiations with foreigners, his goal within his grasp... Enrique, hardly a boy now, stood by Magellan, equally ecstatic for he was finally home. He was a boon to Magellan and he was happy about that as well. The enthusiastic crew, perhaps overestimating the formal and native dress of their ships, did what they thought was the next best thing. They fired the ships' guns in salute. Native boat with the house onboard
The natives quickly sped back into the village, fleeing inland to the safety. Only something dangerous and deadly could make such a loud noise as that. Formal and friendly dress aside, those ships were just too strange for them to welcome without concern. The news spread quickly in Cebu, what with natives running so quickly back into town. What were they to do about the clownish vessels that just docked onto their island? A young man came forward, but he was not like the rest of them. Enrique had found his way to the village from the shore. He explained, in a language that they were surprise to understand, that the ships had come in peace. Much like the garbs of their local Pacific vessels, the gun salute was a custom of Magellan's fleet to make their friendly intentions known to the local rulers. Enrique, already comfortable and adept at starting negotiations between his master and his native people, convinced the Cebu people and their King to meet with Magellan.
The Cebu leader, a Malay Rajah, did not appear as approachable as all the other kings Magellan had seen. The Cebu people, being at the hub of the archipelago's trade, were very acquainted with foreigners and knew how to demand respect as well as fear and awe. Their leader, short, fat, and brown, sat on a grass divan, unbothered. He was wearing a yellow turban and loincloth. His jewelry, pearls and gold rings, spoke for one who was very experienced with trade. His high cheekbones, flat nose, and intricately tattooed torso revealed his importance, as did the 12 rows of similarly dressed chiefs that stood behind him.
In addition to the leader and his chiefs, an Arab trader was standing nearby. Dressed in a silk turban and sash, cotton shoes and pants, he spelled business and may have been annoyed by the interruption of Magellan's obtrusive arrival. Enrique, still embodying knowledge of the diversity in his old Malay region, recognized the trader as Siamese, most likely the owner of the Chinese ship in the harbor. It was quite evident that the Europeans weren't the first foreigners here. The Chinese and the Moslems, just west of these islands, had apparently established trade for many years. Magellan may have felt a slight envy at the bond of familiarity that appeared between this trader and the king. The religious influence of the Muslims had not reached the area nor any strong religious bound . Magellan sensed opportunity. How can he compete without sharing the same God? History making, despite disappointment, marched onward. The two universal religions, Christianity and Muslim, had crawled around opposite sides of the world from the Middle East to finally cross at this point, with Magellan's encounter with the Arab trader.
Enrique, determined to not be intimidated by the foreboding appearance of the king and his chiefs, presented the prospect of setting up trade to provide for the European sailors. The Europeans greatly underestimated the extent of Cebu's commerce and were at first delighted with the Rajah's acquiescence. The worldly Rajah then demonstrated the complexity of his trade system and reminded them of the standard commercial trading charges.
Enrique was taken aback by the Rajah's gall to charge the European explorers, although it is to be expected from an experienced trade leader. The Rajah had power and knew it. Little did the Rajah realize that this power, as strong as it is, was confined to less than half the world. The Europeans had navies, territories, trading posts on far reaching parts of the world, and this little Rajah demanded trading charges. Although Enrique probably had more of a blood relationship with this Rajah, he still knew whom he had to support. Enrique immediately refused, confident that Magellan's men could support the refusal with harsh fighting. He let the Rajah know this, and also told him that when it came to Magellan and his men, the Rajah would have to make an exception to his standard commercial trading charges. The Rajah was a bit stirred by the jarring attack on his power, but, finally making his presence known, the Arab trader of the junk ship intervened. The Arab informed the Rajah King of these white men, enlightening the Rajah on the kind of power that they held. He also told him that, in addition to conquering everyone else, they treated everyone fair. Enrique, upon hearing the Arab speak, realized that he was talking about the Portuguese, who were battling for trade, and not the Spanish, who were sailing to propagate the Christian faith. The Arab, however, convinced the Rajah of the seriousness of the Europeans' power, and Enrique avoided mentioning the distinction. The Rajah King finally made the exception for Magellan and his men. The three freely discussed the situation in Siamese, the Arab's language, since Enrique had picked it up years ago in Malaca and the Rajah, like more of the local kings, knew more than one dialect.
The Rajah was impressed by the Spanish weapons and, actually seeing that the Arab spoke truthfully, consented to an alliance. Magellan renamed the island groups. The Rajah even allowed himself to be baptized a Christian and renamed, the Rajah Charles, Christian King of the Archipelago of St.Lazarus. Eager to embrace Christianity, the other tribal chiefs made it easy for all their subjects to convert. A large baptism occurred on the town square on the 14th day of April 1521. Living up to the Spanish mission, Magellan wore a white robe and presented the first group of newly baptized women with a picture of the smiling Christ Child, the Santo Nino. Indeed, the Muslims had a great influence over the group of islands, and had Magellan landed further north he would have encountered it. However, unlike in Sulu and Manila, there was no big Muslim stronghold in Cebu and conversion was easy, except when it came to Cilalapulapu.
For the chiefs that weren't so easily convinced of the Spanish superiority, and consequently reluctant to accept the Christian religion, Magellan used more violent forms to sway their opinions. He threatened to kill and take the property of anyone who refused to renounce old religions and honor the new Christian King. Such a threat was convincing enough for most, but Cilalapulapu (aka Lapu-lapu,) chief of the island of Mactan continued to openly oppose Magellan. Magellan lived up to his decree and sent a detachment of men to Lapu-lapu's capital with orders to burn it down. Magellan planned the violent annihilation to be an example of the punishment others would receive if they failed to pay respect to the new Christian King. Lapu-lapu, however, was willing to demonstrate the strong military reputation he held amongst the people in the area.
Awaiting military reinforcements, Lapu-lapu requested Magellan to wait until the following day before attacking. Puzzled, the captain concluded that the native leader was employing bit of preliminary psychological warfare. He assumed that it was an invitation to entrapment, where Magellan's crew, already handicapped by unfamiliarity with the site, could fall into pits dug by Lapu-lapu's men in the darker hours.
The following day, on the shore of Mactan, Magellan and his men confront the natives of
Lapu-lapu's island. Greatly underestimating the strength of the natives and the unexpected use of fierce canines, Magellan believed that the modern Spanish armor and weaponry were enough to protect them, even in close combat. Determined to defend their island, their culture, and their beliefs, Lapu-lapu's men outnumbered and outwitted Magellan's men. Later developed as a Southeast Asian battle tactic, they pulled the battle away from the water, greatly decreasing the Spanish advantage of sea warfare. Low tides disabled the boats from closing in on the islands and attacking from the shore with modern weaponry.
With intimate knowledge of their island, the Mactan natives dominated the land battle. Seeing the superiority of the Mactans, the Spanish crew got scared. Many of them fearfully broke ranks with Magellan and began to retreat. Only a handful of the crew, including Magellan, Pigafetta, and Enrique, bravely fought to the end. The native warriors used such primitive weapons, stones and poisonous spears, but used them the most practical fashion, hurling them at the unprotected legs of the intruders. Such simplicity proved to be their advantage. Some of the warriors even picked up the same spear and threw it five or six times, ultimately slaughtering their victims. This was the fate that Magellan suffered.
Though brutally wounded, Magellan bravely covered his allies as they headed back across the beach. Forty armored Spanish sat safely and dejectedly in boats only few hundred yards away, cowardly watching the slaughter. Even though Magellan thoughtfully never asked for the islanders' help, some Christianized natives attempted to come to his aid to save him. At the same time, the panicky Spaniard started firing culverin salvoes ashore. They miscalculated and hit the rescuing natives instead. The battle was iced as a victory for the Mactans, for the Spanish leader Magellan, was completely down. Wounded in the face, he died there on the beach with his sword lanced at his attacker. The other Spanish watched from their boats at the battle. When the battle finally ended, the Mactan natives lost 15 men, while the Spanish lost 20. Unfortunately, one of those 20 was their courageous leader and history-making explorer Magellan, who was undeservedly abandoned by his crew and left to die on the beach. Considering it a token of his victory, Lapu-lapu kept Magellan's body though the weeping Christian King made efforts to ransom it.
Magellan's death affected no one more deeply than his loyal servant Enrique. The wounds that he acquired during the same battle in which his master had died didn't hurt his body as much as the death hurt his spirit. Senor Duarte Barbosa assumed command of the leaderless crew, and insisted
that the mission continue. The new commander had held a grudge against Magellan's companion ever since Magellan had humiliated Barbosa with punishment. Barbosa needed trade negotiations to go on, and Enrique was the only one who could serve as an envoy and interpreter. Still seeing
Enrique as a mere slave, he tried to force Magellan's servant to maintain the relations with the natives that were still on the Spanish side. But Enrique was loyal to no one but Magellan, and he ignored Barbosa's condescending commands. In anger, Barbosa beat and kicked the Malay native, threatening to enslave him again when they returned to Seville, despite Magellan's promise of freedom in his will. Barbosa envisioned for Enrique a life of servitude for Lady Biatriz Magellan.
There was no reason to support Barbosa or Serrano, who also arose as a leader of the crew, both traitors for allowing Magellan, a very able commander, to die there on the shore of Mactan. Clearly unable to shift his affection from his loving master to a hateful new one, Enrique turned to the next best people, his kin.
Enrique went ashore to deliver a communication from Barborasa to the Christian king. His felt no obligation and the Rajah King was first disturbed by Enrique's advice: to take advantage of the weakened Spaniard fleet and retrieve their treasure. How could such deviance come from a Malay native that appeared to be so allied with the Spanish? Where was Enrique's loyalty? The Rajah king recognized Enrique's true devotion, that to his leader Magellan. Enrique briefed the Rajah of the Spaniard's plan of transferring the goods stored in the island and sailing the next day. Recalling the cowardice of fleeing Spaniards from natives and the ineffectiveness of their weaponry and armor, the Rajah King agreed to Enrique's plan. Barbosa, with a grudge and a sense of betrayal, lost trust in Enrique. He greedily planned to move the unsold goods from the island warehouses and load them onto their ships. As this plan was enacted, a court servant ran to report the sudden Spanish move to the natives and the King of Cebu.
To Barbosa's surprise, the King invited all the Spaniards senior officers for a farewell banquet, where Barbosa and his men would be given jewels to bring to the Emperor of Spain as a sign of peace. Accepting the invitation, Barbosa and his men dressed in their dinner attire, arrived at the joyous banquet, excited at the generous offerings. Carvallo saw the native prince who was miraculously healed few days earlier throught the effort of Padre Valderamma speaking to the priest. Padre Valderamma was invited to the house separating him from the rest of the party. He told Espinosa of his suspicion and they both returned to the ship. As the rest enjoyed the feast, the Cebu natives attacked all the Spanish that came ashore, sparing only Enrique. It was a brutal sight, which Don Antonio missed because he stayed behind treating a wound, much to Enrique's relief; Enrique still cared very much for those who stayed true to Magellan.
The Spanish fled the slaughter, and those that were left numbered only to 115. Without enough men for three boats, the Spanish sacrificed the Concepcion and set it on fire. The other two ships quickly cut anchor and sailed away, with little direction. Several small marauding boats pursued them, aware of the Europeans' vulnerability without their captain.
The expedition that once came in the name of God turned into one that was reduced to pirating. The crew rushed to find a new Malay navigator, who could guide them back to the Spice Islands. Carvalho was selected to command and to pilot the ships back to Spain. But such a hastened departure and selection of a commander proved wasteful: instead of travelling south from the islands, they headed west toward Palawan. They pathetically pirated a royal ship from the Luzon colony in northern Malaca, which was now two days away. The three ships finally found their way to Brunie. Pigafetta enthusiastically described the magnificent city in his accounts, comparing it to his home of Venice. The Sultan of Brunie welcomed the Spaniards. Weary and disillusioned, and very experienced with treachery and betrayal, Carvalho was suspicious. Rather than returning the Sultan's open arms with kind, Carvalho and his crew attacked. Eventually, he had to flee, leaving his own son Joaozito, the first American to travel to the Far East. Even in the midst of mishappenings, groundbreaking history was being made under the leadership of Espinosa, the Trinidad ricocheted across the Pacific Ocean. Espinosa and his crew sailed east toward Panama, back the way they came. They encountered harsh winds and storms in the mid-Pacific. After stopping briefly for repair on the island of Ladrones (Guam,) they returned again to Malaca. There was no future for the Trinidad, for it was then captured by the Portuguese.
On September 6, 1522, the Victoria, captained by Elcano, was the only ship to return to Spain with a crew of only 18. Being of Spanish descent, Elcano was first credited with the achievement of sailing around the world. Ignoring Magellan's accomplishments, the Spanish King celebrated
Elcano's return. The Portuguese, bitter about his betrayal, also ignored Magellan's achievement
An expedition by Villabos revisited the Malay archipelago, 20 years after the Magellan expedition returned. In honor of the crowning of Prince Philip, the son the king of Spain present during Enrique's first visit to the Spanish royal court, the islands were renamed the Philippines. They called the natives "Filipinos," which originally applied to a "mestizo" in Spain. This was the beginning of the islands' near four-century occupation by foreigners, an occupation that ended only 100 years ago.
The faithful Enrique, avoiding the life of slavery promised by Barbosa, stayed in Cebu; he knew he belonged with his people, where history was really made.
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Points of interest
1. The voyage proved the shape of the world to the satisfaction of the astromers. Magellan's westward circumnavigation would result in the loss of one day if the days on the journey were not adjusted on the ship's official records. The reverse is true going east. Victoria arrived in Sevelle, Spain in Sept 8, 1921 but her ship-log book faithfully kept indicated September 9. The Philippines used the same date as in Spain while the rest of the Malay region under Portuguese rule used a different date because since the Portuguese traveled from the other direction. It is interesting to note when the crewmembers compared notes during the return to Spain, they noticed a day's difference, an error that was corrected by a decree that December 31, 1844 be dropped. Thus, the International Date Line was created at 180 degrees longitude during the International Meridian Conference in 1844.
2. New Diseases that explorers brought to the New World almost wiped out the American Indian population because the natives did not possess a natural immunity. However, this did not occur in the Malay Archipelago to an epidemic degree. This was due to continuous direct contact between the European and the Asian continents. Great Emperors such as Genghis Khan and Alexander the Great promoted the exchange of Euro-Asian trade and culture. Trade of slaves from Africa was necessary in America did not flourish.
3. Slavery was practiced in the East Indies before the Portuguese arrived. Some historians believe that some of Magellan's men who remained in Cebu were not killed but sold to the Chinese or Arabs since they were of high value. The Malay aristocratic society maintained a Chaste System, ranging from the King to Alipin (captive slaves who were war trophies.) Pirates also were raiding slaves along the coastal islands. Slave trading was introduced to Europe and America later by the Portuguese. Magellan replenished his crew with natives as he traveled. The Moorish trader they encountered in Cebu owned a junk ship filled with oriental gold and slaves. When the only ship arrived in Spain, there were only 17 Europeans and 4 East Indians onboard. Enrique, of course, was not among them. The provision in Magellan's will reflects his deep religious belief and his relationship with Enrique. Enrique had been baptized and become his brother in faith. "I declare and ordain that from the day of my death thenceforward for ever, my captured slave, Enrique shall be free and manumitted, and quit, exempt, and relieved of every obligation of slavery and subjection, that he may act as he desires and thinks fit; and I desire that of my estate there may be given to the said Enrique the sum of 10,000 maravedis in money for his support; and this manumission I grant because he is a Christian and that he may pray to God for my soul."
4. The greatest naval battle in the world took place in Leyte Gulf, where Enrique completed the first circumnavigation of the world 423 years earlier. It was also the same location as the battle of Mactan. The amphibious warfare tactics in Mactan were the precursor of land war in Asia to come. The islanders drawing the western warrior inland beyond the artillery power of the western forces.
5. Spice Islands are the Malacca or the Malay regions now known as the Indonesian group. While in Malaca (near the present day Singapore) Magellan met Francisco Serrao. He was the Portuguese resident in charge of the Spice Island that Magellan was supposed to meet. Serrao was poisoned by a rival few months before Victoria reached the Spice Island. . Malaca has a small colony of 500 Filipinos and some believed that this was where Magellan got Enrique.
6. The religious feud between the two universal faiths that first met in the Philippines continues today, between the Christianity-based central democracy and the conservative Moslem tribes in Southern Mindinao. Western culture has taken over Manila and in the capital, not a trace of Moslem influence exists.
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The stuff below is either irrelevant or have already been mentioned in the story.
4. Malay -Polynesian seafaring legend ruling the Pacific is true. Malay from Southeast Asia had been SURFING the Pacific Ocean ONBOARD THE POLYNESIAN OUTRIGGERS way before the Portuguese went beyond the Azores Island. They have sailed to Eastern Islands and probably some on them could have landed in the Eastern Shore of the South America. Because of harsh marine environment survival was rough. This explains the husky body feature of the Polynesian as you go farther west in the Pacific.
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4. Christianity and Islam started for the Middle east.. Basically Christian went west from there and Moslem faith traveled east from Mecca. When Magellan Landed in Cebu..he found the moslem and the Christian found themselves meeting. (Morison theory..He is one of the best Marine Historian). Note: The Portuguese followed the Moslem route by going East and around the southern tip of Africa and sailing to the Spice Islands and defeating the Moors. Portuguese were fighting the Moors for trade and not for the propagation of Christian faith. Portuguese were the master of Slave Trade at that time. They brought the first slave from Africa to Europe and then to America later as human cargo. Their early domination of the sea made it possible.
4. Papal degree (1493) in the 15th century divided the world between the Spanish and Portuguese. The east belonging to the Portuguese and the west to the Spanish. The exact measurement of the earth was still unknown but the two countries going on the opposite direction meet again in the this first round the world trip as evident of the ship Trinidad being captured in Malaca.
7. Malaca has a small colony of 500 Filipinos and some believed that this was where Magellan got Enrique. They were the seafaring Malay-Polynesian (many islands) of the Orient. Oriental meaning people from the east , the sun rise direction relative to the western hemisphere (Europe). Magellan way was to sail west and till they rendezvouz almost on the same place of the Equator (Spice islands).
8. Some books .. Enrique was called "muy ladino" by the crew meaning he is versed and has the ability to learn language. Also while in Europe he was matched with a beautiful Sumatran slave and some believed that she was his wife.
9. The trick in the west direction is finding the passage around the South American Continent to Pacific. The same way the East direction when Prince Henry open the route throught the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.
Places: Philippines is between 120-130 longitude xxxx 5-20 deg latitude N
Leyte/Cebu about 125 longitude xxxx 12 deg lat N
Malacca is farther west
Molucca Isl 120-130 longitude xxx almost 0 (on the equator)
COUNTER POINTS..
1. Magellan as the first man to go around. Magellan having traveled eastward earlier as part of Portuguese expedition reached east longitude east of the Philippines. While in Spice Island if he traveled about 200 miles north he could have reached the Philippines. So even thou he was killed in the Philippines he might traveled the length needed.
2. The first ship to go around the world is Victoria , under the command of Sebastian Elcano. Being s Spanish descent versus Magellan who is Portuguese had the Spain backing his title earlier. He was one of the Spanish officers who conspire with the mutiny but was pardon by Magellan. The King of Spain celebrated and Magellan accomplishment was ignored for a while. Portugal hated him so he was ignored there as well.
3. Enrique is known as Enrique de Malacca because Pigaffeta term for him. Pigafetta was never been to Malacca or with Magellan on his previous trip to the east.. This is where Magellan base home during his stay in the Malay archipelago. During this time Malacca was the center city of the colony and slaves were brought and sold there. Trade dominated by the Moslem and it is unlikely that Enrique was originally from there. It is possible that he was a member of the Luzon colony or from the Moluccas or as far north as the Visayan island. His palaver knowledge of some of the Visayan language supports this theory heavily.
bibliography"
1. Conqueror of the Seas, Stefan Zweig..
2. The European Discovery of America (The Southern Voyages) AD 1492-1616
Samuel Eliot Morison New York Oxford University Press
3. Ferdinand Magellan, Hawthorne Daniel Doubleday, Garden City 1964
4. Ferdinand Magellan, Charles Mckew Parr
5. Magellan of the Pacific, Edouard Roditi
6. Magellan, First Circumnavigation of the World, Ian Cameron
7. First Circumnavigation of the World-Pigafetta
Various translation
Last Name, First Name. Name of Book or "Name of Article". Edition or Volume Number. Page Numbers. Name of Publisher. City of Publication. Copy Year.
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Possible story telling flow....
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introduction to Enrique
enrique speaks up..as boy--the the trip.--his point of view
Enrique pass the to Pigafetta and other historian to finish to story..
Aftermath of the Circumnavigation..
1. Religion
2. Empire
3. Malay or Pacific Islanders
4. International dateline International Date Line-Reference
5. Slavery
Note: There is no evidence Enrique exact birthplace. Let us assume that he is from somewhere southern philippines with out defining it. . In the beginning I said that we (readers)will find where he came from. They will have to make the conclusion when he speaks the native language of the second Island the visited in the Philippines.
When the epic making voyage left Spain..... Enrique has the lead.. since his starting point was in the Malay Archipelago.
When the Spanish returned , they accupied the Philippines for almost 400 years ended 100 years ago start of the country's centennial year of independence..