A New Perspective on 19th Century Style Heritage Buildings in Muntok, Indonesia: Reviewing the Craftsmanship of Chinese Builders

Abstract

Research conducted during the era of the Dutch East Indies on the island of Java was the subject of great interest for scholars and researchers, leading to the neglect of the more remote areas. However, continuous efforts aimed at investigating the outer islands of Indonesia hold the promise of generating new and innovative insights. The cultural landscape of Muntok town is characterized by a unique blend of multicultural and European influences, particularly during the period of Dutch colonial rule. This resulted in the emergence of distinct "comfort zones" and "contact zones" among the construction workers. The application of the profound expertise and unwavering dedication of Chinese Builders (Constructor) in the construction of Mixed Indies style buildings in the Dutch East Indies was a prime exemplification of the significant influence of trans culturalism, furthermore, the presence of Chinese builders played a significant role in the development of the city, as they constructed and contributed to the creation of architectural structures that have received limited attention until now. The purpose of this article is to analyze the existing literature on the historical development of Chinese builders in Muntok, Indonesia, focusing specifically on their involvement during the 19th century. As a result, it aims to provide additional insights into the main subjects and research areas that are of interest to researchers. After providing a concise introduction to the historical context of Chinese laborers in Southeast Asia, the main focus of this scholarly article will be to thoroughly explore their active participation in the urban development of Muntok.