The Elephant Museum Was Formerly Known As The Match Building

JAKARTA - The National Museum, aka the Elephant Museum, which is located on Jalan Merdeka Barat number 12, Central Jakarta, has many stories. One of them is about the nickname of the Match Building for this museum in the 1950s.

Wahyono Martowkrido in his book entitled The Story of the Arca Building, tells of the reason why the building was called Gedung Jodoh. Wahyono was a worker at the National Museum for the period 1964-1998.

"Every day, especially on Sundays, there are many visitors flocking just to look at collections or just looking at people who are paired up. This is what causes the museum building to be known as 'special matchmaking building', instead it is chanted in a song. singing, "said Wahyono.

This building was used as the Bataviasche Genootschap van kunsten en Wetenschappen (association for arts and science). In this place, various performances are held and become a place for entertainment.

Even though it is called the Jodoh Building, those who are dating in this place are prohibited from committing indecent acts. Wahyu has a story, there was an old guard who reprimanded a couple who were dating to prevent disrespectful actions. After being reprimanded, the young people who were dating apologized and left this museum.

"Sorry sir. In this museum, there are many sacred objects. There are also many waiting. Better not to do indecent acts here. That is if you want your relationship with this lady to last," said Wahyono.

Historian JJ Rizal said, the nickname of the Match Building for the National Museum was started because the place often held musical performances. Over time, this place became a place for kongko.

"That was when the young people broke up and finally met their mate at the museum. They were getting more and more crowded on weekends, especially when Eid al-Fitr arrived. So the visitors will spill over," said JJ Rizal talking to VOI some time ago.

Alwi Shahab also wrote a story about the dating building in the Ghost City Batavia, in the story section about dating in the matchmaking building.

He described, this building is always crowded with young people. In the 1950's, there were thousands of visitors per day, and it would be busy on Sunday evenings. However, as time went on, the museum's visitors were only 100 people per day.

"In this building every Sunday morning, the girls dressed up as beautiful as possible, their hair rolled imitating the Dutch noni-noni and the bitches with a coat of arms looked at each other. As long as they look Jewish and have courage, courtship can go smoothly. Like the Mamad when admonishing a girl to wear a red skirt, dared to ask, 'Alone, here?' Answered, 'Bedua ame who asked.' Alwi Shahab's story.

Elie Mulyadi, in her book Finding the Dream of the Heart, also alludes to the story about this Match Building.

He wrote, "When Passing Merdeka Barat the road was a bit jammed. And that's where my gaze was fixed on the central Museum building. In the past, in the central museum building there was a library. Also in the past, the building was known as a matchmaking building. Because according to library staff there, since During the Dutch era, many people found their soul mate there. Including Denny and me. "