Settlement Around The Fort

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"Trade activities in Semarang were also enlivened by the presence of people from various ethnicities including Malays, Chinese, Arabs and Europeans."

Trade activities in Semarang were also enlivened by the presence of people from various ethnicities including Malays, Chinese, Arabs, and Europeans. Seafaring at that time was still dependent on the seasons, so traders needed to stay in Semarang for a long time. Gradually, settlements were formed based on ethnic groups. The VOC appointed a leader from each ethnic group as a liaison between the VOC and each ethnic group. Based on a map dating back to the 1800s, there is a diversity of ethnic settlements around City Fort.

"Chinese kamp te Semarang" or "Chinese settlement/ kampung in Semarang" circa 1890. Source: KITLV 1890

Chinatown

The Chinatown complex (de Chinese Kampong) is a few metres south of the fort city. The arrival of the Chinese in Semarang is recorded in the 15th century. Long before they were concentrated in Chinatown, Chinese residents lived in Gedung Batu. Later, some began to settle around Kaligawe (east of the Semarang River). After the war in Semarang in 1741, which involved the VOC and a Chinese-Javanese coalition, ethnic Chinese settlements were concentrated in the area south of the fort city, which is now known as Chinatown.

"Straat in Kampong Melajoe te Semarang" or "Streetview of Kampong Melayu in Semarang" circa 1915. Source: Photograph by O. Hisgen & Co Semarang, KITLV 1915.

Kampung Melayu

Kampong Melayu (Maleidsche Kampong) is in the western part of the fort city. Most of the inhabitants of this kampong are Malay-speaking people from other regions of the country. The area began with the existence of a small harbour in the Mangkang area, known as Ngeboom, with the aim of bringing the harbour closer to the fort city. The presence of the harbour transformed what had been a quiet area into a bustling one. In this area, migrants from across the archipelago and Asia settled. The most prominent Asian ethnicity in Kampong Melayu comes from Hadramut Arabia.

"Winkels aan de Pekodjan te Semarang" or "Shops at Pekodjan Semarang" circa 1925. Source: Pothograph by Hisgen, KITLV 1925.

Pekojan

The settlement of the Koja people (Moorsche Kampong) is located between City Fort and Chinatown, precisely on the east side of the Semarang River. Koja is a group of people from South Asia who are Muslims. Koja settlement is now known as Pekojan.

Kampong Bugis

Kampong Bugis (Boeginesse Kampong) is located in the north-eastern part of the fort city. This village only appeared on the map in 1800. The village may have emerged in 1741 with the arrival of thousands of Bugis troops who were used as "Serdadu Kumpeni" or VOC infantry to fight the Java-Chinese coalition.

Kampong Pedamaran

Kampung Pedamaran (Kampong Pendanarang) lies between the fortified city and Chinatown, on the west side of the Semarang River. Kanjeng Bupati Semarang is located in this kampung. The formation of this settlement is closely related to the migration of Ki Ageng Pandan Arang of Tirang Island to the Bubakan area. Based on the map of 1695, the mosque is still located around Pedamaran. In 1741 the large mosque was moved to the southwest of the old mosque, the area around the mosque is now known as Kampung Kauman.