South Kalimantan

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Lore & Background

According to the mythology of the Maanyan people, the first kingdom in southern Kalimantan was the Nan Sarunai Kingdom, estimated to have territory from Tabalong to Paser. The Maanyan mythology tells of a golden age uniting the Maanyan people and making connections with Madagascar. One archaeological remain from this era is the Great Temple in Amuntai; in 1996, C-14 testing of charcoal samples dated the structure between 242 and 226 BC, making the Nan Sarunai Kingdom 600 years older than the Kutai Martapura Kingdom in East Kalimantan. The Nan Sarunai kingdom was invaded by Majapahit multiple times, with the third and last invasion under Hayam Wuruk in 1355. At that time Nan Sarunai was led by Raden Anyan. The invasion was led by Ampu Jatmika, who founded a Hindu kingdom, Negara Dipa, under Majapahit tributary—predecessor of Negara Daha and the Banjar Sultanate. Multiple battles occurred, with the first in April 1358; Raden Anyan was killed in the second battle in December 1362, speared by Mpu Nala, and buried in Banua Lawas. These invasions were recorded in Dayak Ma'anyan poetry as Nansarunai Usak Jawa.

Reader's Guide

South Kalimantan is the traditional homeland of the Banjar people, and Banjarmasin has always been the cultural capital of Banjarese culture. Many Banjarese have migrated to other parts of Indonesia, as well as to Singapore and Malaysia. Other ethnic groups include several Dayak groups, who mostly live in the interior, and Javanese who migrated from Java due to the Transmigration program dating from the Dutch colonial era. The province has a larger population than Mongolia. The territory alternated between local kingdoms due to its strategic trade location before becoming tributary to the Sultanate of Mataram in the 17th century. It was colonized as part of the Dutch East Indies and then the Japanese Empire until Indonesian Independence in 1945. The Banjar Sultanate began its golden age in the first decade of the 17th century with pepper as a trade commodity, with southwest, southeast, and east Borneo paying tribute. In 1636, the Sultan of Banjar claimed Sambas, Lawai, Sukadana, Kotawaringin, Pembuang, Sampit, Mendawai, Kahayan Hilir and Kahayan Hulu, Kutai, Pasir, Pulau Laut, Satui, Asam Asam, Kintap, and Swarangan as vassals of the Sultanate of Banjarmasin.

Did You Know?

• The provincial capital moved 35 km southeast from Banjarmasin to Banjarbaru on 15 February 2022.
• South Kalimantan is the smallest province on Kalimantan by land area but the second most populous, after West Kalimantan.
• The Great Temple in Amuntai was dated by C-14 testing of charcoal samples to between 242 and 226 BC, making the Nan Sarunai Kingdom 600 years older than the Kutai Martapura Kingdom.
• The Banjar language is similar to the Malagasy language in Madagascar, and genetic studies suggest Banjar migration to Madagascar occurred around 830 AD.
• The Nan Sarunai kingdom was invaded by Majapahit multiple times, with the last invasion under Hayam Wuruk in 1355, leading to the founding of Negara Dipa.