Where Is The Green, Cultural, And Living Condet?

Balekambang Arch in Condet (Commons Wikimedia)

JAKARTA - Condet means a village which toponymously comes from the name of a tributary of the Ciliwung River: Ci Ondet. Ondet, ondeh or ondeh-ondeh is taken from the name of a tree scientifically named Antidesma diandrum Sprg, which belongs to the Antidesmaeae family. The natives call it the Buni Tree which means the fruit is edible.

Rachmat Ruchiat discussed history, the origins of Cawang, in the book The Origin of Place Names in Jakarta. In the book, three written data related to Condet's history are revealed. First, it comes from Abraham Van Riebek's travel records when he was Director General of the VOC in Batavia, right before he became Governor General.

In a Dutch-language note, it was written September 24, 1709, he and his entourage walked through the Ci Ondet tributary. The book tells about Van Riebek's journey from Paroeng Combale, Ratudjaja, Depok, Sringsing to the upstream of Ci Ondet. "Over Mjin lant Paroeng Combale, Ratudjaja, Depok, Sringsing, naar het hoodft van de spruijt tsji Ondet."

Second, the contents of the will from Pangeran Purbaya, which he made before leaving for exile in Negapatnam, India. It is recorded that the letter was legalized by the Notary Reguleth on April 25, 1716. It said, among other things, that Prince Purbaya donated several houses and a number of buffalo in Condet to his children and his wife who had been left behind.

Third, the resolution of the company leadership in Batavia dated 8 June 1753, namely the decision regarding the sale of land in Condet covering an area of 816 morgen (± 52,530 ha), for 800 ringgit to Diederik Willem Freijer. Then the Condet area became part of the particular land of Tandjoeng Oost (East Tanjung).

Quoted from the history of Jakarta, GJ Nawi in his writings From Ci Ondet, Groneveld to Condet explained, in the 18th century, Condet was called by the Dutch as Groneveld which means green land or land. The name emerged from the surrounding environment which was still filled with trees and broad green hair like a green carpet on the horizon.

"The name Groeneveld cannot be separated from the idea of Johannes Jacobus Craan as the third owner of Landhuis - the rest house - Tandjong Oost as Landhuis Groeneveld," wrote GJ Nawi.

In fact, at the time of Ali Sadikin as governor, Condet's nuances of fame were confirmed as a Betawi Cultural Heritage through the Governor's Decree because at that time Condet's natural beauty was still intact, filled with fruit gardens. In addition, the demographics of Condet are still dominated by Betawi people, up to 90 percent. The thick Islamic nuance of religious life strengthens Condet's attachment to Betawi.

During Ali Sadikin's leadership, Condet was transformed into a developed area. This is fully supported by the flow of funds that continue to flow from the treasury of the Provincial Government (Pemprov) of DKI Jakarta. Unfortunately, it didn't last long. Changes in governors, changes in policies, and the decreasing population of the Betawi people are the causes of the fading of the authenticity of Condet.

Condet today

Administratively, Condet today is divided into three sub-districts: Batu Ampar, Kampung Tengah - called Kampung Gedong, and Bale Kambang. The three of them are included in the Kramat Jati District, East Jakarta.

Today's condet is not much different from other areas of Jakarta which have three identical characteristics: congested and chaotic, traffic jams, and prone to flooding. The characteristic density of Condet can be seen from the massive development. Condet in history even though it is often referred to as a green rug.

For congestion, the large number of migrants who inhabit Condet today makes the area densely populated. On busy days, especially. This can also be attributed to the green condet, which is now - due to congestion - which has contributed greatly to the deterioration of air quality in Jakarta.

The characteristics of Condet as a flooded area are clearly indisputable. Every rainy season, Condet becomes an area that is almost certain to be flooded because the carrying capacity and carrying capacity of the environment has seriously deteriorated.

Evidently, as reported by Kumparan, Condet - to be precise in Kampung Tengah - experienced flooding in early 2020. This flood submerged at least 5 RT and 2 RW with the water level reaching the chest of an adult. This condition prompted residents to flee to a higher place.

Save Condet

Condet's face must be saved. If allowed to drift into uncontrolled development, Condet will not only lose its Betawian Cultural Heritage status, but will also lose its existence as an area capable of giving life to many people. In this condition, seeing historical roots is important. Returning to the old value of an area might be a solution.

If the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government is confused about looking for an excuse, Ali Sadikin's remarks in the book Condet Betawi Cultural Heritage by Ran Ramelan can be a reference:

To pursue the requirements as a development metropolitan city, it is not necessary to eliminate the old values that have existed. Planology must emphasize socio-cultural values. If not, then the development results we will achieve will not be rooted in the earth on which we stand.

In addition, the DKI Provincial Government needs to involve the community in the planning level for environmental recovery while providing education in the form of pride in their area. When you are proud, there will be a sense of belonging. From a sense of belonging then arises the desire to protect Condet's existence as a living area.

Finally, I hope a piece of poetry from WS Rendra entitled Ciliwung yang Manis (1955) can remind us of the importance of protecting the environment:

Ciliwung flows

and insinuated the Jakarta city buildings

because there is no such destitute city

he knows who his mother is

Ciliwung is like a tongue sticking out

Sweet Ciliwung shows me the swing ...