Masohi

Last updated
Masohi
Town
Seram en.png
Red pog.svg
Masohi
Location in Seram Island
Coordinates: 3°17′56″S128°57′58″E / 3.29889°S 128.96611°E / -3.29889; 128.96611
Country Indonesia
Province Maluku
Regency Central Maluku
Area
 • Total
37.30 km2 (14.40 sq mi)
Population
 (2020 Census) [1]
 • Total
36,433
  [2]
Time zone UTC+9 (WIT)

Masohi is a coastal town on the island of Seram. It is the capital of the Central Maluku Regency (Kabupaten Maluku Tengah). It was the site of a detention camp for political prisoners in the 1970s. It had 36,433 inhabitants at the 2020 census. [2] The headquarters of Manusela National Park is located in Masohi.

Contents

History

The name Masohi comes from a bahasa tanah from the Central Maluku branch which means 'mutual cooperation'. After being devastated and losing many of its residents due to sectarian riots at the beginning of the 21st century, this town is starting to improve itself again. The original residents are Alifuru peoples who have absorbed Ambonese culture and speak Ambonese Malay, but many immigrants from the Indonesian government's transimgration program live in this town. Masohi is a city that was built on 3 November 1957 and was inaugurated by 'laying the first stone' by Indonesia's first president, Sukarno. [3] This town was originally built on disputed land between the Amahai regional government and the Maluku provincial government after the West Seram area was not deemed suitable. This city was founded on the traditional land of the Amahai village, which was previously known as Dataran Nama (Nama Plains) which was the beginning of the new history of Seram (Nusa Ina) after its weakening the power of Republic of South Maluku leadership of Chris Soumokil as well as a form of developing Maluku after the independence of the Republic of Indonesia.

Administrative division

The town comprises the five urban villages or kelurahan (with their 2020 census populations) of Ampera (6,385), Lesane (4,493), Letwaru (6,412), Namaelo (15,280), and Namasina (3,863). [2]

Sectarian Conflict

The sectarian conflict in Masohi, which is the capital of Central Maluku Regency on Seram Island, is part of a series of violence that has hit Maluku between Muslim and Christian communities since the late 1990s. Masohi, like other areas in Maluku, has not escaped the impact of sectarian conflict.

At its peak around 1999-2000, Masohi experienced violence triggered by tensions between religious groups. As in other areas, small provocations often triggered major clashes amidst the tense atmosphere. Houses of worship were burned, property was destroyed, and many people fled to areas considered safer by the community.

The violence in Masohi involved religious divisions, with Muslim and Christian communities living in separate areas. The already-built mistrust and resentment exacerbated the situation, and clashes occasionally occurred despite the signing of the Malino peace agreement in 2002. However, after 2002, Masohi, like many other areas in Maluku, began to see improvement, although sporadic incidents of sectarian violence continued to occur for several years to come.

Recovery in Masohi will take time, with reconciliation efforts undertaken by community, religious and government leaders to heal the deep wounds caused by the conflict. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

Transportation

The road connecting Masohi runs east and west along the coast from Masohi. There is another road but it goes through the mountains to Wahai on the north coast. There is also a domestic airport here, connecting Masohi with Ambon and Banda Islands. Then there is also a sea port that serves ships coming from Ambon, Saparua, and other areas in Maluku.

Tourism Spot

In Masohi, Central Maluku, there are several original tourist attractions that can be visited, such as:

Masohi Beach : This beach has white sand and clean sea water, suitable for relaxing and swimming.

Masohi City Park Waterfall : Located in the city area, this waterfall offers a fresh atmosphere and soothing views.

Seram Island : Although most of Seram Island is outside Masohi District, several areas closer to Masohi offer interesting natural beauty.

These places provide authentic local experiences and the natural beauty that is attractive in the Masohi area. [9]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ambon Island</span> One of the Maluku Islands in Indonesia

Ambon Island is part of the Maluku Islands. The island has an area of 743.37 km2 (287.02 sq mi) and is mountainous, well watered, and fertile. Ambon Island consists of two territories: the city of Ambon to the south, and three districts (kecamatan) of the Central Maluku Regency to the north. The main city and seaport is Ambon, which is also the capital of Maluku province, while those districts of Maluku Tengah Regency situated on Ambon Island had a 2020 Census population of 128,069. By mid 2023 those populations were estimated to have become 354,052 and 128,754 respectively, resulting in an all-island population of 482,806.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seram Island</span> Main island of Maluku Province, Indonesia

Seram is the largest and main island of Maluku province, despite Ambon Island's historical importance. It is located just north of the smaller Ambon Island and a few other adjacent islands, such as Saparua, Haruku, Nusa Laut and the Banda Islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saparua</span> Island in Maluku, Indonesia

Saparua is an island east of Ambon Island in the Indonesian province of Maluku; the island of Haruku lies between Saparua and Ambon. The main port is in the south at Kota Saparua. The small and uninhabited island of Maolana is located near its southwestern side and Nusa Laut off its southeastern tip.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ambon, Maluku</span> City and capital of Maluku, Indonesia

Ambon is the capital and largest city of the Indonesian province of Maluku. This city is also known as Ambon Manise, which means "beautiful" or "pretty" Ambon in the Ambonese language. It covers a land area of 359.45 km2, and had a population of 331,254 at the 2010 Census and 347,288 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 354,052. The city is divided into five administrative districts – namely Nusaniwe, Sirimau, Teluk Ambon, Baguala and Leitimur Selatan. Known as Indonesia's music city, Ambon became the first city in Southeast Asia to be recognised as the UNESCO City of Music in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maluku (province)</span> Province of Indonesia

Maluku is a province of Indonesia. It comprises the central and southern regions of the Maluku Islands. The largest city and capital of Maluku province is Ambon on the small Ambon Island. It is directly adjacent to North Maluku, Southwest Papua, and West Papua in the north, Central Sulawesi, and Southeast Sulawesi in the west, Banda Sea, Australia, East Timor and East Nusa Tenggara in the south and Arafura Sea, Central Papua and South Papua in the east. The land area is 57803.81 km2, and the total population of this province at the 2010 census was 1,533,506 people, rising to 1,848,923 at the 2020 census, the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 1,908,753. Maluku is located in Eastern Indonesia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wetar</span> Island in Indonesia

Wetar is a tropical island which belongs to the Indonesian province of Maluku and is the largest island of the Maluku Barat Daya Islands Regency of the Maluku Islands. It lies east of the Lesser Sunda Islands, which include nearby Alor and Timor, but it is politically part of the Maluku Islands. To the south, across the Wetar Strait, lies the island of Timor; at its closest it is 50 km away. To the west, across the Ombai Strait, lies the island of Alor. To the southwest is the very small island of Liran, which is also part of West Wetar District and, further southwest, the small East Timorese island of Atauro. To the north is the Banda Sea and to the east lie Romang and Damar Islands, while to the southeast lie the other principal islands of the Barat Daya Islands. Including Liran and other small offshore islands, Wetar has an area of 2,651.8 km2, and had a population of 7,916 at the 2010 Census and 8,622 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 11,109. Administratively, Wetar is divided into four of the districts (kecamatan) of the Maluku Barat Daya Regency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">West Halmahera Regency</span> Regency in North Maluku, Indonesia

West Halmahera Regency is a regency in North Maluku Province of Indonesia. The regency was created on 25 February 2003 from the western districts of the former North Maluku Regency, and is now bounded by North Halmahera Regency to the north and east, while to the south it borders both East Halmahera Regency and that portion of the city of Tidore on the mainland of Halmahera. It covers an area of 2,239.11 km2, and it had a population of 100,424 people at the 2010 Census and 132,349 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 137,543. The capital lies at Jailolo (town).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Halmahera Regency</span> Regency in North Maluku, Indonesia

Central Halmahera Regency is a regency of North Maluku Province, Indonesia. The regency was originally formed on 15 August 1990 from part of the former North Maluku Regency, but on 25 February 2003 parts of the new regency were split off to form a separate East Halmahera Regency and the city of Kota Tidore Kepulauan. It now comprises just the southern half of the southeastern peninsula of Halmahera Island, together with part of the southern peninsula of that island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poso Regency</span> Regency in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia

Poso Regency is a regency of Central Sulawesi Province of Indonesia. It covers an area of 7,438.55 km2, and had a population of 209,228 at the 2010 Census and 244,875 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 251,654. The principal town lies at Poso.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Central Maluku Regency</span> Regency in Maluku, Indonesia

Central Maluku Regency is a regency of Maluku Province of Indonesia. The Regency covers an area of 11,595.57 km2, and had a population of 361,698 at the 2010 Census, and 423,094 at the 2020 Census. The official estimate as at mid 2023 was 430,798. The principal town lies at Masohi, on Seram Island. The regency (kebupaten) is composed of the central part of the island of Seram, the Banda Islands, and the Lease Islands, together with those parts of Ambon Island which are outside the City of Ambon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tanimbar Islands Regency</span> Regency in Maluku, Indonesia

Tanimbar Islands Regency is a regency of Maluku province, Indonesia, consisting primarily of the Tanimbar Islands. The Regency covers a land area of 10,102 km2, and it had a population of 105,341 at the 2010 Census and 123,572 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2022 was 124,787. The principal town and administrative centre lies at Saumlaki in Tanimbar Selatan District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Raja Ampat Regency</span> Regency in Southwest Papua, Indonesia

Raja Ampat Regency is a regency of Southwest Papua Province of Indonesia. The regency, which was formed by separating the archipelago from Sorong Regency, based on the Law 26 of 2002, was inaugurated on 12 April 2003. It consists of a number of groups of islands situated off the north-west end of West Papua; the four main islands from south to north are Misool, Salawati, Batanta, and Waigeo. At present, the regency covers a land area of 7,559.60 km2, with a total area stated as 67,379.61 km2. It had a population of 42,508 at the 2010 Census and 64,141 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 68,501. The principal town lies at Waisai on Waigeo Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Seram Regency</span> Regency in Maluku, Indonesia

East Seram Regency is a regency of Maluku (province), in Indonesia. It is mainly located on the island of Seram, but also includes smaller islands to the southeast comprising the Gorom and Watubela archipelagoes. The regency covers a land area of 5,779.12 km2, and had a population of 99,065 at the 2010 Census and 137,972 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 138,580. The principal town lies at Bula, on Seram Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haruku Island</span> Island in Maluku, Indonesia

Haruku Island is an island in Central Maluku Regency, Maluku Province, Indonesia - lying east of Ambon Island, off the southern coast of Seram and just west of Saparua. It is administered as a single district, Haruku Island District, with a land area of 150 km2 and a population of 24,207 at the 2010 census and 27,390 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 26,551. The inhabitants of Haruku speak the Haruku language, as well as Indonesian and Ambonese Malay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nusa Laut</span> Island in Maluku, Indonesia

Nusa Laut is the smallest of the three inhabited island in the Lease Islands group situated east of Ambon Island, in Indonesia's Maluku province. It lies just off the south-western corner of Saparua island, separated from it by a deep channel. The island's coasts are fringed by a drying reef.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lease Islands</span> Island group in Maluku, Indonesia

The Lease Islands, formerly called the Uliasers or Uliassers, are a group of three inhabited islands, lying immediately to the south of Seram and east of Ambon Island in the province of Maluku, in Indonesia. The three inhabited islands, from west to east, are Haruku, Saparua and Nusa Laut, while tiny uninhabited Molana is administratively part of Saparua District; these islands constitute four administrative districts (kecamatan) within Central Maluku Regency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boano</span> Island in Maluku, Indonesia

Boano Island is an island in West Seram Regency, Maluku Province, Indonesia. It is located off the northern coast of the Hoamoal Peninsula at the western end of Seram Island, across the Boano Strait. The inhabitants speak the Boano and Luhu languages, as well as Indonesian and Ambonese Malay.

Amahai is a village (desa) and an administrative district (kecamatan) on the south coast of the island of Seram, in Central Maluku Regency. The village, which serves as the administrative centre of the eponymous district, lies to the south of Masohi town, both being situated on the coast of Elpaputih Bay, and they are surrounded on the landward sides by Amahai District. Teon Nila Serua District is also a semi-enclave within Amahai District, which surrounds it on all sides except the west. Daily speedboats connect Tulehu with Amahai, which is Seram's main port.

References

  1. ↑ Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Kecamatan Kota Masohi" (in Indonesian). Archived from the original on 2017-08-25. Retrieved 2017-08-25.
  4. ↑ "Masohi residents reject outside brass - Wed, December 24, 2008".
  5. ↑ "Ampera village: An oasis in a former battlefield - Sat, January 3, 2009".
  6. ↑ "Church, homes burned in Masohi blasphemy riot - Wed, December 10, 2008".
  7. ↑ "Re: [zamanku] Re: Umat Islam ( Kritik dan Saran ) Tulisan janggal". Archived from the original on 2012-04-15.
  8. ↑ Hoesodo, Tony Setia Boedi (2008). Religious conflict resolution on Ambon Island (Thesis) (in Indonesian). Universitas Gadjah Mada.
  9. ↑ Tuasikal, Laila Dwitari (2021). Rencana dan Strategi Pengembangan Pariwisata di Kabupaten Maluku Tengah (Thesis thesis) (in Indonesian). IPB University.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.