Historical Tourism to Mandor, West Kalimantan: The Former Site of the Lanfang Republic Established by Immigrants from China

The emblem and flag of the Lanfang Republic and the current view of the Mandor city corner. Special.

Historical tourism is a captivating choice for those with a fervent passion for the past. 

Thus, when embarking on a journey to West Kalimantan, the allure of Mandor, once known as the Lanfang Republic under the dominion of Chinese immigrants, beckons one not to be simply passed by. Nestled in the heart of Landak Regency, West Kalimantan, this region unfolds as a tapestry of unique stories and cultural intricacies.

Metamorphosed into a sovereign kingdom

West Kalimantan, a province replete with unparalleled uniqueness, particularly captivates the hearts of immigrants hailing from China. 

This extraordinary character is beautifully illustrated in the annals of the Lanfang Republic — a federated union of Hakka communities in West Kalimantan, its foundations laid by the visionary Low Fang Pak (Luo Fangbo) in the year 1777. 

What began as a destination for Chinese immigrants, responding to the call of Sultan Sambas to toil in the mines, metamorphosed into a sovereign kingdom of its own, a testament to the remarkable tale of human endeavor.

The Lanfang Republic's historical legacy

The profound importance of the Lanfang Republic's historical legacy resonates eloquently in the symbols and flags that proudly flutter in Mandor, the regal capital nestled within Landak Regency, West Kalimantan. The journey from Pontianak to Ngabang, Landak, unfurls before the traveler with two enticing paths — the well-trodden Ambawang-Sosok route or the coastal odyssey through Pontianak-Pinyuh-Mandor.

A map indicating the location of the Lanfang Republic in the past, now the Mandor region. Google.ac

As the author delves into extensive research and interviews, the canvas of a specialized book unfolds, weaving a narrative that transcends time, recounting the odyssey of the Chinese diaspora in West Kalimantan from epochs past to the present. 

This rich tapestry encapsulates the epic migration of Chinese communities to this region, an odyssey that spans the epochs.

The Lanfang Republic, born as a federation of Hakka alliances, traces its roots back to the visionary Low Fang Pak in 1777. However, its crescendo eventually dissipated into the winds of history under the auspices of the Dutch East India Company in 1884. 

The author's exploration is a riveting journey through the intricate tapestry of Dutch East India Company's divide et impera tactics, manipulating the interplay of competition between Chinese immigrants and the indigenous Dayak communities.

The echoes of the Kongsi War

The echoes of the Kongsi War resonate through the annals of history, a conflict sparked in 1795 between Thai Kong and Sam Thu Kiau, fueled by the fierce rivalry for control over gold mines in the Sambas region. 

The author sheds light on the ephemeral autonomy of "Republik Mandor," entangled in conflicts with Sultan Sambas and the indomitable Dayak community in the tumultuous year of 1850.

The seismic migration of the Chinese populace to the shores of West Borneo in 1921 left an indelible imprint on the historical landscape. 

The conflict that permeates West Kalimantan is not merely a consequence of economic strife or the wrestle for natural resources; it is a complex interplay of ethnic and cultural disparities among the Dayak, Malay, and Chinese populations.

The author emphatically underscores the enduring impact of the Dutch divide et impera policy, an insidious maneuver manipulating ethnic discord that reverberates through the corridors of time in West Kalimantan. 

The unresolved ethnic conflicts involving the triad of Dayak, Malay, and Chinese communities persist as formidable challenges in the region's socio-cultural fabric.

The saga of gold mining

The saga of gold mining emerges as a pivotal plot point in the overarching conflict, with Chinese miners showcasing superior organization and control, while the Dayak community remains susceptible to external influence. 

The Dutch East India Company, guided by their economic agenda, sought to exploit these disparities, thus fortifying their hegemony.

In 1818, the Dutch East India Company embarked on an expedition to exploit the untapped potential of Borneo's mines.

 Employing the cunning strategy of divide et impera, they orchestrated a clash between the Dayak and Chinese ethnicities, further cementing their dominion.

As the author meticulously unravels this tapestry of ethnic conflict, it becomes evident that despite the adversity and negative repercussions, the former realm of the Lanfang Republic now finds itself restored to the embrace of the Dayak community. 

An epilogue, intricately woven with intrigue, unfolds in the annals of West Kalimantan's complex and enduring history.

(Rangkaya Bada)