A condition of an area sometimes inspired people to name it by its condition. Some areas in Jakarta were used to be swamp areas. The condition inspired people to name them as Rawasari, Rawabelong, Rawamangun, Kebonkosong, Kebonsirih or Utanpanjang. And those names were for real.
Before 16th century, east Batavia was remote. It was a forest. Governor General VOC Jan Pieterszoon (JP) Coen focused the downtown in Kota Tua, West Jakarta, in 1619.
In 1809, in the authority of Daendels, development began to the south Kota Tua. The forest was cut off and made for road and housing complex by the landowner, Antony Palvijoen. His land was gambir (uncaria gambir roxb) and sirih (piper bettle lin) plantation. It was changed into Weltevreden area.
Rawasari (now in East Jakarta) and Rawamangun (now in Central Jakarta) were used to be swamp areas. In the early 19th century, it changed to a densely populated area.
Rawasari was named Beek Meester Kampung Ambon. But Javanese people who lived there refused the name of “Ambon”. Therefore it was changed to “Kampung Jawa”, because majority were from Java.
“My parents said that Rawasari was named as Kampung Jawa,” H Solihin, one of Rawasari figures said to beritajakarta.com, Friday (11/6).
Previously, Rawasari was a swamp with mangun trees. In the early 19th century, it was functioned as 4 areas seized by several foremen. The foremen were responsible to the Netherlands for the land.
The foremen were in Rawasari, Kampung Rawa, Kampung Mangun (Salim’s authority); Rawa Kerbau, Sumur Batu, Pendongkelan and Cempaka Putih (Tugiman’s authority); Kampung Ambon, Tanah Tinggi and Kayu Putih (Baan’s authority); Kawi-kawi and Utan Kayu (Ilyas’s authority).
The same thing also happened in Rawabadak, North Jakarta. Said Supardi, one of Rawabadak figures, said that Rawabadak came out from a wide swamp in east Batavia.
Sundanese coming to Rawabadak affected the name. Rawabadak meant a wide swamp (badak in Sundanese means wide).
The names of other areas in Jakarta also came from a similar history, like Rawaterate, Rawabelong, Kebonkacang, Pondokbambu, etc.
Long time ago those areas were swamp, forest, or plantation areas, but now, they turn into dense populated areas.
Meanwhile, Weltevreden changed into a downtown now. It is in Gambir Sub-district and Kebonsirih urban village, Menteng, Central Jakarta. Governor’s office and State Palace are in that area.