BANGKA – The Gebong Memarong Traditional Village has become a prominent cultural and traditional tourism destination, located in Dusun Air Abik, Desa Gunung Muda, Bangka Regency.
Built by PT Timah in collaboration with the Mapur Customary Institution, the Gebong Memarong Village features the traditional houses of the Lum Tribe. The village includes seven stilt houses with wooden floors, nipa palm roofs, and bark walls.
The establishment of Gebong Memarong Village is part of PT Timah's efforts to preserve the cultural heritage of the Mapur Indigenous community, ensuring its continuation for future generations.
"Memarong" refers to the traditional houses of the Mapur people. These homes stand out due to their distinctive and unique architecture, making Gebong Memarong a popular cultural destination.
It’s no surprise that Gebong Memarong has attracted visitors from various walks of life. Tourists not only explore the village but also witness firsthand the local wisdom and culture of the Mapur Indigenous community.
Visitors to Gebong Memarong can experience traditional crafts like Mapur weaving, enjoy local Mapor culinary offerings, watch artistic performances, play traditional games, and observe the daily lives of the community.
Asih Harmoko, Head of the Mapur Customary Institution, noted that PT Timah has not only built Gebong Memarong Village but also provided continuous support in human resource development to help manage the village.
Asih explained that the number of visitors to Gebong Memarong has steadily increased. Since its opening last year, the village has welcomed people from various backgrounds.
“The number of visits keeps growing, with students, university groups, the general public, and tourists all coming to Gebong Memarong Village,” he said.
He added that visitors are often keen to learn about the history, local wisdom, traditions, arts, and heritage of the Mapur indigenous community.
Asih expressed his gratitude to PT Timah for providing training to the community, such as guiding tourists, which has enabled them to better serve visitors to Gebong Memarong.
They continue to develop various tourism packages, such as involving tourists in daily activities of the local community, including pepper farming and rice planting.
“PT Timah has not only helped us build the traditional village but has also provided training, such as batik-making and guiding tourists. The coaching and support from PT Timah are ongoing,” he said.
The community has also begun to feel the economic benefits of Gebong Memarong’s presence, as tourists often purchase local handicrafts, contributing to the local economy.
“The economic benefits have started to emerge, although they are not yet optimal. However, we are continuously pushing this forward because tourism inevitably has an economic impact,” he explained.
PT Timah’s initiative to develop this cultural tourism aligns with the principles of sustainable tourism. The program at Gebong Memarong Village is a tangible example of the company’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in promoting inclusive economic growth and cultural preservation. (*)
