Kepahiang Regency
The Regency of Kepahiang is rich in natural resources including gold, coal, geothermal energy resources, gemstones as well as a range of agricultural, aquacultural and forest products. These include rice, oil- and coconut palms, coffee, tea, corn, wood, natural rubber and pepper, as well as various types of fruits and locally bred fish specimens and products.
The local government of Kepahiang operates several development projects to achieve improvements in the sector of agriculture, energy supply and education. Some of these initiatives gained nationwide attention and were implemented by the central government in Jakarta on a national scale.Besides the formerly mentioned potentials, Kepahiang has significant tourism potential, which remains largely untapped. It is one of the official development goals to foster tourism in Kepahiang.
During the colonial rule of the Dutch in Indonesia, the city of Kepahiang was the capital of the regency of Rejang Lebong, which is a neighouring regency of Kepahiang today. Kepahiang remained the capital during the 3.5 years of Japanese rule in Indonesia. In the cause of the independence war and Indonesia's declaration of independence on 17 August 1945 Kepahiang became the regional centre for Indonesian organisations, the independence movement in the region and its military forces. Due to this fact, the Dutch targeted and destroyed the entire administrative infrastructure in Kepahiang during an attempt to regain power over the region in 1948. The mayors office, administrative buildings, post offices, telecommunication centres and police stations were annihilated completely.
In 1949 the local administration was coerced to relocate itself into the forest and wasn't able to return to Kepahiang as the infrastructure wasn't existing any more. Because of this, the administration had to move to the city of Curup, which provided sufficient infrastructure at that time. In 1956 Curup was declared the new capital of the regency of Rejang Lebong and Kepahiang finally lost its prior position as the administrative centre.
In the context of political and administrative reforms in Indonesia that started in 1998, Kepahiang had a realistic chance to become an independent regency. In 1999 a firm proposal was made to transform Kepahiang into such an independent regency, that does not longer belong to Rejang Lebong. The people of Kepahiang supported this by forming an organisation, namely the Panitia Kepersiapan Kebupaten Kepahiang, which fostered the realisation of this project. In 2002 the PPKK handed over their elaboration to respective regional and national authorities. It was accepted and finally ratified by General Hari Sabarno, who served as Minister of Interior at that time, and came into effect at 7 January 2004.
| Since then Kepahiang with three different | had 4 local governments mayors. |
The pentagonal frame of Kepahiang's crest reflects its territorial entity, as well as the Pancasila doctrine taught in Indonesia. The crest further contains elements that reflect certain natural and cultural characteristics of Kepahiang.
In the upper part of the crest there is the contour of mountains, illustrating that Kepahiang is a mountainous regency. Below that, one can see a wavelike symbol signifying Kepahiang's abundant water resources. The blue point between the waves is a symbol of the day Kepahiang became an independent regency.
In the middle is a betel nut paring. The paring plays an important role in local traditions and customs. Above the paring there is a curved blade of a traditional dagger called kris. The kris is a symbol of bravery and tradition, but also represents progress and development.
The paring and the kris are enframed by two different branches on the left and on the right. One of the branches is from a coffee tree, whereas the 2nd branch is from a rice plant. Both reflect the favourable natural environment in Kepahiang, which provides its inhabitants with sufficient subsistence. The tranches are bound together seven times as a symbol for the regency's coherence.
At the bottom of the crest there is a writing showing the word SEHASEN. This word is a local acronym for the following combination: Selaras Elok (Beauty) Harmonis (Harmony) Aman (Safety) Sentosa (Peacefulness).
Kepahiang has the following coordinates: Longitude 101x 55' 19" â€" 103x 01' 29"; Latitude 020x 43' 07" â€" 030x 46' 48". Kepahiang is characterised by a rangy, arboreous and fertile natural environment. The highest point is 1,600 meters above sea level where the lowest point is 250 meters above sea level. The rangy environment is reflected in the crest of Kepahiang.
There are several rivers and a sea in Kepahiang, which are vital to the local agricultural economy and the tourism potential as well. Kepahiang isn't in a shortage of water resources, which is why water was an element used in its crest as well. Ten waterfalls have been counted, which would be suitable spots for recreational activities and tourism. The waterfall in Curug Embun is around 100 meters high and a regional place of excursions, just as the river Musi, which has significant water volumes allowing a 3 x 70 MW water power plant to function properly.
In the north Kepahiang border on the regency of Rejang Lebong. In the east there is the regency of Lahat. The regency of Central Bengkulu is located in the south from the regency of Kepahiang whereas Kepahiang adjoins to the regency of North Bengkulu in the West.
| Kepahiang has 8 villages. | districts and a total number of 108 - |
The population of Kepahiang is growing at slow pace with an average of 1.2% per annum. There are 5% more men than women. Therefore the demographic development in Kepahiang is significantly below the national average.
Since the transition of Kepahiang into an independent regency in the province of Bengkulu, four mayors assumed office. The current mayor, Drs. Bando Amin C. Kader was appointed the 1st time in August 2005 and was reelected into office in August 2010.
The local government adopts an innovative approach to utilize the vast potentials of the Regency of Kepahiang. Declared priorities are 1. agricultural programs, whereas an sustainable cultivation strategies are preferred, 2.education, which is fostered by extending local educational infrastructure, integration of external know-how and facilitation of advanced education in relevant sectors (by providing scholarships for instance) and 3. health care, which was improved significantly by building one of the most advanced hospitals in the region (which isn't yet fully operative).
Kepahiangs society is culturally, religiously and ethnically heterogeneous. The different religious groups and tribes coexist peacefully. The Rejang are the largest group in Kepahiang and dominate the local cultural life. Because the various groups have coexisted for a long time, cultural influences by others groups can be identified as well. The heterogenous backgrounds of Kepahiangs society caused the development of social aptitudes and manners within society, enabling peaceful coexistence.
Customs and traditions are maintained in Kepahiang. Cultural events take place regularly whereas it isn't rare that foreign guest attend those events as well. The local cultural and heritage is closely bound the Malay culture. Due to this representatives of Malay culture, aristocrats and royals not just from Indonesia but from Malaysia, Thailand and Philippines for instance maintain good relations to Kepahiang and are regular guests there. They maintain the common cultural background and, at the same time, set an example of peaceful coexistence with groups of different cultural heritage.
Related Sites for Kepahiang Regency
- Kepahiang FB Pages (Official FB Kepahiang Regency) | Facebook read Kepahiang Regency
- Orchid species from Permu Village, Kepahiang Regency read Kepahiang Regency
- Sempiang Water Fall, Kepahiang Regency, Rejang land, South … read Kepahiang Regency
- Panoramio - Photo of Santoso Field (Main Area of Kepahiang Regency) read Kepahiang Regency
