Sekadau and the Rooster Monument

The appearance of the Rooster Monument in the heart of Sekadau city, West Kalimantan.

Sekadau is one of the regencies in the eastern region of West Kalimantan. 

The Sekadau Regency consists of 7 districts and 87 villages. Currently, its population has reached over 270,000 people, covering an area of 5,444.20 km², with the densest population distributed in Sekadau city and the city center of each district. 

The Rooster Monument

Uniquely, in the midst of Sekadau city, there stands the 'Rooster Monument.' What does it symbolize? It is a tall structure or monument erected to honor or commemorate a specific event, individual, or abstract concept. 

Monuments tend to have a more dominant vertical dimension compared to the horizontal dimension.

At the end, on the sign indicating the street name. Right at the intersection. Its name is Panglima Naga Street. However, if you search on Google Maps, the information we get is as follows:

Address: 2V9Q+4XF, Jl. Ps. Baru, Mungguk, Kec. Sekadau Hilir, Kabupaten Sekadau, West Kalimantan 79516

Province: West Kalimantan

The Rooster Monument is one of the iconic symbols of Sekadau City, West Kalimantan. This object feels more visually striking compared to the "Bumi Lawang Kuwari," which, besides being abstract to understand, also requires an understanding of Sekadau's history. Moreover, its location is quite far from the city center of Sekadau.

I love Sekadau City of dreams

Towards the downstream of the Kapuas River, the estuary of the Sekadau River is still approximately 20 kilometers away.

"I LOVE SEKADAU CITY OF DREAMS" - that's what is written on the Rooster Monument. I love Sekadau, the city of all dreams.

What is dreamed of from Sekadau? Its culinary delights? Its exotic ecotourism? Its natural waterfalls? The Penanjung swimming pool? Batu Tinggi? Lawang Kuwari? The Sekadau Palace? Lupung Coffee? Institut Teknologi Keling Kumang (ITKK) Campus? The Penanjung Bridge, a legacy from the Dutch East Indies era? Or...?

Everyone surely has memories or their own dreams about Sekadau. So much so that it is written: I love Sekadau City of Dreams.

Ah, ah! Or perhaps memories. A snippet of love story that was once scattered in the land of Lawang Kuwari? Who knows!

In short, Sekadau holds the Johari Windows. The deepest sides. The secrets of life. Known only to me and God. It is uncomfortable to open it here.

At the end, at the intersection. Panglima Naga Street. This street is not long. It just twists and turns.

From the direction of Lupung Coffee, before the Lawang Kuwari Market. Quite charming. Standing out among the other buildings along the street. On the left and right, there are many cafes and coffee shops.

There, at the roundabout, a sturdy Rooster Monument stands tall again. There are letters carved, "APB." Initials for sure. The code can only be deciphered by the carver upon the request of the person who ordered it.

Everyone, of course, has memories or their own dreams about Sekadau. So much so that it is written: I love Sekadau City of Dreams. 

Interestingly, this rooster monument often becomes the locus of various activities. From statements of stance, demonstrations, shows of force, and press conferences, to traditional ritual ceremonies.

A ceremony called "tolak bala" (ward off disaster) 

It is noted that after the heated Sekadau Regional Election competition, to ensure that opposing factions could quickly return to peace and not get caught up in prolonged conflicts that are detrimental; a ceremony called "tolak bala" (ward off disaster) was held at this rooster monument.

Indeed, it is mighty! Even refugees from rural areas once gathered here temporarily.

The Sekadau Rooster Monument is a public sphere. An open public area. In such a way that it is visible from everywhere. The community will quickly find out what is happening and being done at the rooster monument.

A place for demonstrations

The rooster monument in Sekadau is like the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout (HI) in Jakarta. A place for demonstrations. Protests. A place for the masses to demonstrate. To engage in activities to be seen by people. Covered by the media. Then becoming a government agenda. Which ultimately becomes a public agenda.

By expressing thoughts and actions through demonstrations in public areas like the rooster monument, everything has a broad and significant impact. 

(Rangkaya Bada)