Wikipedia

Blora Regency

Blora (Javanese: ꦧ꧀ꦭꦺꦴꦫ) is a regency in the northeastern part of Central Java province in Indonesia. Its capital is the town of Blora. The regency is located in the easternmost part of Central Java and borders the Bengawan Solo River and the East Java province. It covers an area of 1,955.83 km2 and it had a population of 829,728 at the 2010 Census[2] and 884,333 at the 2020 Census;[3] the official estimate as of mid-2023 was 901,621, comprising 450,993 males and 450,628 females.[1]

Blora Regency
Kabupaten Blora
Regency
Adipura monument
Adipura monument
Coat of arms of Blora Regency
Coat of arms
Nicknames: 
Mbloro (Javanese language)
Blora (Indonesian)
Motto(s): 
Sasana Jaya Kerta Bhumi and MUSTIKA (Maju, Unggul, Sehat, Tertib, Indah, Kontinyu, Aman)
(Advanced, Superior, Healthy, Beautiful, Continuous, Secure)
Location within Central Java
Location within Central Java
Blora Regency is located in Java
Blora Regency
Blora Regency
Location in Java
Blora Regency is located in Indonesia
Blora Regency
Blora Regency
Location in Indonesia
Coordinates: 6°57′0″S 111°25′0″E / 6.95000°S 111.41667°E / -6.95000; 111.41667
CountryIndonesia
ProvinceCentral Java
Incorporated (regency)11 December 1749
CapitalBlora
Government
 • RegentArief Rohman
 • Vice RegentTri Yuli Setyowati
 • Chairman of the Regional Representatives CouncilHM. Dasum
Area
 • Total
1,955.83 km2 (755.15 sq mi)
Population
 (mid 2023 estimate)
 • Total
901,621
 • Density460/km2 (1,200/sq mi)
 [1]
Time zoneUTC+7 (WIB)
Area code(+62) 296
Websiteblorakab.go.id

Etymology

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According to folklore, the word Blora is derived from the word belor which means mud. It then evolved into mbeloran, then blora.[4] This folk etymology could partly explain the origin of this name, as the word evolved from Old Javanese instead of the modern belor. See the explanation below.

The word Blora means low, watery ground. The name was derived from way and lorah combined (wailorah), which means water and cliff, respectively. During its evolution, the Modern Javanese language evolved voiced plosive [b] from the previous approximant [w] in Old Javanese in the same manner as in Persian. Modern Javanese has also monophthongized Old Javanese "ai" or "ay" into "e", and lost its h's in many places, almost similar to that of French from Latin. Therefore, wailorah became bailorah, then bailora, and finally blora.[4]

History

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Duchy of Jipang

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Blora was under the administration of the Duchy of Jipang in the 16th century, which was itself still ruled by the Demak Sultanate at the time. The Duke of the duchy was Arya Penangsang, better known as Aria Jipang. The area under the control of the duchy includes Pati, Lasem, Blora, and Jipang. But, after Joko Tingkir (Hadiwijaya) inherited the throne, the capital was moved into Pajang. After that, Blora was under the Kingdom of Pajang.[5]

Mataram Kingdom

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The Duchy of Jipang did not rule for long, because it was seized by the Mataram Kingdom. Blora was in the eastern part of the kingdom (Bang Wetan). During the reign of Pakubuwono I (1704–1719), Blora was given to his son, Pangeran Blitar, and appointed as a duke. The area of Blora at that time was 22.5 km2. In 1719–1727, the Mataram Kingdom was led by Amangkurat IV, so Blora was under Amangkurat IV's rule.[5]

War of Mangkubumi

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When Mataram was under the administration of Pakubuwono II (1727–1749), there was a rebellion led by Mangkubumi and Mas Sahid, Mangkubumi succeeded in controlling Sukawati, Grobogan, Demak, Blora, and Yogyakarta. Finally, Mangkubumi was appointed by the people to be a king in Yogyakarta.[5]

Incorporation as a regency

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From the Pajang era to the Mataram era, the Blora Regency was an important area for kingdoms. This was because Blora was known for its teak forests.[citation needed] News from Babad Giyanti and Serat Kuntharatama stated that Mangkubumi became a king on 11 December 1749, the day Blora Regency was created. Along with the appointment of Mangkubumi as a king, other officials were also appointed. The leader of the Mangkubumen warriors, Wilatikta, was appointed as the first regent of Blora. Blora's status changed from apanage into a regency on that same day.[5]

Sultanate of Surakarta

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The War of Mangkubumi ended with the Giyanti agreement, in 1755, which was known as palihan negari. Because of this agreement, Mataram was divided into two kingdoms, the Surakarta Sultanate under Paku Buwana III, and Yogyakarta, under Sultan Hamengkubuwono I. In the now-divided kingdom, Blora was in the Surakarta Sultanate as part of the Mancanegara Timur area. However, the regent of Wilatikta did not agree to join the sultanate, so he chose to resign from his position.[5]

Dutch East Indies

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Resistance by the people against the Dutch, which was pioneered by the peasants, emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was caused by the worsening social and economic conditions of the rural population at that time. In 1882, a head tax was imposed by the Dutch, which was very burdensome for landowners (farmers). In other areas in Java, tax increases have led to peasant revolts, such as the Cilegon incident in 1888.[5] Two years later, Saminism, a mystical religious sect, rose from the Randublatung region in Blora and Bojonegoro Regency in 1890,[4] and gained prominence in the early 20th century. Headed by a Javanese peasant, Surontiko Samin, it followed the teachings of the Islamic prophet Adam but owed little to the religion.[6] Stressing the village structure, mysticism, and sexuality, it became an early protest movement and was opposed to the local rulers as much as it was against the Dutch East Indies colonial administration, refusing to pay the new Dutch head tax.[6] After 1907, many followers were detained and arrested by the Dutch.[4] The movement survived until the 1960s.[6]

During the administrative restructuring of Java during 1925–8, Blora briefly became one-half of the new Blora Residency; it was abolished in 1931.

Geography

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The regency has an area of 1,955.83 km2 (755.15 sq mi). Blora Regency consists of both lowland and hilly areas between 20 and 280 metres high above sea level. The northern part of the regency is a hilly area that forms a series of Northern Limestone Mountains as well as the southern area (Kendeng Mountains) that stretches from east of Semarang to Lamongan (East Java). The capital of Blora Regency is located right on the slope of the Northern Limestone Mountains.[7]

Half of Blora Regency's area is forested, especially in the northern, eastern, and southern regions, while the central lowland is mainly used for agricultural purposes (rice fields). During the dry season, most of Blora Regency has a water supply shortage, either for drinking or irrigation, especially in limestone and mountainous areas. In the rainy season, several areas are prone to landslides.[7]

Locations

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Adjacent regencies

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Demographics

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Historical population
YearPop.±%
1961507,375—    
1971567,091+11.8%
1980696,523+22.8%
1990767,228+10.2%
2000826,229+7.7%
2005827,587+0.2%
2010829,728+0.3%
2015851,841+2.7%
2020884,333+3.8%
2023901,621+2.0%
Source: [8][9][10][11][12][13]

Blora Regency had a population of 884,333 in 2020,[3] an increase of 54,605 since the 2010 census.[2] Almost all of the population is Muslim (98%).[14] The gender ratio in mid 2023 was 100.08 (males per 100 females).[1]

Administrative districts

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Regent of Blora, Raden Toemenggoeng Ario Said, during colonial period. 5 June 1921.

Blora Regency is divided into 16 districts or kecamatan, sub-divided into 271 rural villages or desa, and 24 urban villages or kelurahan.[15] Before the division in the 2000s, Blora Regency (at that time the Blora Level II District) was divided into an administrative city, five regent assistants, 19 (nineteen) sub-districts, nine sub-district representatives, 429 rural villages or desa, and 26 urban villages or kelurahan. The present districts are tabulated below with their areas[13] and their populations at the 2010[2] and 2020[3] Censuses, together with the official estimates as of mid-2023.[1] The table also includes the locations of the district administrative headquarters and the number of villages in each district, together with their postcodes.

Kode
Wilayah 		Name of
District
(kecamatan) 		Area
in
km2 		Pop'n
census
2010 		Pop'n
census
2020 		Pop'n
estimate
mid 2023 		Admin
centre 		No.
of
villages 		Post
codes
33.16.01 Jati 215.38 45,177 49,143 50,398 Doplang 12 58384
33.16.02 Randublatung 235.92 73,969 77,649 78,813 Randublatung 18 (a) 58382
33.16.03 Kradenan 112.04 38,721 41,062 41,800 Menden 10 58383
33.16.04 Kedungtuban 108.45 54,220 57,447 58,465 Kedungtuban 17 58381
33.16.05 Cepu 49.04 72,146 76,370 77,702 Cepu 17 (b) 58311
- 58315
33.16.06 Sambong 102.68 24,933 27,659 28,527 Sambong 10 58371
33.16.07 Jiken 165.40 37,369 38,374 38,701 Jiken 11 58372
33.16.15 Bogorejo 60.82 23,548 24,805 25,202 Bogorejo 14 58262
33.16 08 Jepon 119.19 58,940 62,824 64,049 Jepon 25 (c) 58261
33.16.09 Blora (town) 72.33 90,714 93,779 94,762 Blora 28 (d) 58211
- 58219
33.16.11 Banjarejo 110.64 56,907 62,152 63,813 Banjarejo 20 58253
33.16.10 Tunjungan 89.36 44,828 47,981 48,975 Tunjungan 15 58252
33.16.16 Japah 129.23 33,321 35,310 35,937 Japah 18 58257
33.16.12 Ngawen 104.86 55,950 60,559 62,015 Ngawen 29 (e) 58254
33.16.13 Kunduran 124.72 61,972 66,189 67,519 Kunduran 26 (c) 58255
33.16.14 Todanan 155.77 57,013 63,030 64,943 Todanan 25 58256
Totals 1,955.83 829,728 884,333 901,621 Blora 295

Notes: (a) including 2 kelurahan (Randublatung and Wulung). (b) including 6 kelurahan (Balun, Cepu, Karangboyo, Ngelo, Ngroto and Tambakromo).
(c) including one kelurahan - the district centre. (d) comprising 12 kelurahan (Bangkle, Beran, Jetis, Karangjati, Kauman, Kedungjenar, Kunden, Mlangsen, Sonorejo, Tambahrejo, Tegalgunung and Tempelan) and 16 desa. (e) including 2 kelurahan (Ngawen and Punggursugih).

Transportation

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An inter-provincial road passes through Blora, connecting Semarang, the capital of Central Java, to Surabaya, the capital of East Java via Purwodadi. It is a 2nd class road, because most people prefer Semarang-Surabaya via Rembang, due to the wider road there.

Blora is also situated on a southern railway connection that links most big cities in Java. However, Blora's main train station is located in Cepu District. Therefore, people often refer to the Cepu train station. Except for the two above, Blora is just like any other regencies in Java, which has several local public transportation services, such as bemo, becak, etc.[16]

Ngloram (Kapuan) Domestic Airport is at Ngloram (Kapuan), Cepu District with a 900-metre long runway, located at 7°11′41″S 111°32′51″E / 7.19472°S 111.54750°E / -7.19472; 111.54750, built in 1978, but officially closed in 1980.[17] In 2013, expansion and land acquisition was still in progress.[18] Six years after that, the airport reactivation plan was started.[19]

Economy

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Agriculture is the main sector of the economy. In the forestry sub-sector, Blora is one of the main producers of high quality teak wood in Java.[20]

The Cepu area has long been known as an area full of petroleum, which has been exploited since the Dutch East Indies era.[21] Blora received international attention in 2001 when oil reserves of ~250 million barrels were discovered in Cepu.[22] In March 2006, the contract between the government and contractors (PT. Pertamina EP Cepu, Exxon Mobil Cepu Ltd, and PT Ampolex Cepu) was signed, and Exxon Mobil Cepu Ltd.) was appointed as the field operator, in accordance with the Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) of the three contractors. According to the latest developments, the Banyu Urip Field Plan of Development (POD) has been approved by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources.[23]

Even though Blora is known for its teak forests and petroleum, which have been managed since the Dutch colonial era to the current Indonesian government, Blora is one of the poorest in Central Java. The ubiquitous natural resources in the regency are not able to raise the standard of living of its people. This is because all of the natural resources benefits the central government and company employees, most of which are outside Blora, without a clear program to improve the economy of the local people.[original research?]

Places of interest

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Culture

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Arts and festivals

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Barongan Gembong Amijoyo is carried out in village and family agendas, such as sedekah bumi. It is performed either with or without a storyline.[24]

Tayub Blora is often held in various agendas in Blora, usually held at weddings. In addition, Tayub Blora is often performed in annual village agendas. To preserve the culture of Blora, the local government held the Tayub Nusantara Festival at Tirtonadi Blora Park.[24]

Kadrohan or Terangan in Blora comes from districts that have a strong santri culture. It is growing rapidly in the Blora and Ngawen subdistrict. It is usually performed to fill recitation events, circumcisions and weddings. There are two types of Kadrohan, traditional and modern. Traditional hadro does not use melodic instruments. In the middle of the performance, the narration of Berjanjen or Manaqib Syeh Abdul Qodir Jailani is usually read.[24]

Karawitan is a traditional music that is often performed at weddings. The purpose is to entertain guests at weddings with Javanese music. The main instrument is a set of gamelan.[24]

Notable people

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2024, Kabupaten Blora Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.3316)
  2. ^ a b c Biro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d Kusuma, Ratih (2009). KAWASAN PERMUKIMAN SUKU SAMIN SEBAGAI OBJEK WISATA BUDAYA MINAT KHUSUS DI BLORA (PDF) (Thesis). Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta. pp. 3 & 4.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Gambaran Umum – Website Pemerintah Kab Blora". www.blorakab.go.id. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  6. ^ a b c Turner, Peter (1997). Java (1st ed.). Melbourne: Lonely Planet. p. 315. ISBN 0-86442-314-4.
  7. ^ a b "BAB II GAMBARAN UMUM" (PDF). Universitas Diponegoro: 1.
  8. ^ "Badan Pusat Statistik". www.bps.go.id. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  9. ^ "Badan Pusat Statistik". www.bps.go.id. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  10. ^ "Report No. 4800-IND".
  11. ^ "Badan Pusat Statistik". www.bps.go.id. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  12. ^ "Badan Pusat Statistik Kab. Blora". blorakab.bps.go.id. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  13. ^ a b Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2023, Kabupaten Blora Dalam Angka 2023 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.3316)
  14. ^ "Badan Pusat Statistik Kab. Blora". blorakab.bps.go.id. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  15. ^ "BAB II GAMBARAN UMUM" (PDF). Diponegoro University: 1.
  16. ^ "JavaTourism.com – Java, Indonesia Travel and Tourism Information". Retrieved 3 June 2020.
  17. ^ "Bandar Udara Ngloram". Retrieved 3 August 2013.[permanent dead link‍]
  18. ^ "Pembebasan Lahan Bandara Ngloram". 2 August 2013. Archived from the original on 24 October 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  19. ^ developer, mediaindonesia com (31 July 2019). "Blora Genjot Pembangunan Transportasi". mediaindonesia.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  20. ^ Liputan6.com (29 November 2019). "Inovasi Produk Kayu Jati Blora Melawan Produk Jepara". liputan6.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 1 October 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  21. ^ Liputan6.com (13 August 2019). "Menyusuri Sejarah Industri Minyak Bumi di Blora". liputan6.com (in Indonesian). Retrieved 1 October 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ "ExxonMobil Will Not Receive Extension for Cepu Contract". www.rigzone.com. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  23. ^ "ExxonMobil and Pertamina Sign Joint Operating Agreement for Cepu Block". www.businesswire.com. 15 March 2006. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  24. ^ a b c d "5 KESENIAN KHAS KABUPATEN BLORA | BLORANEWS" (in Indonesian). 23 July 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2020.
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6°57′0″S 111°25′0″E / 6.95000°S 111.41667°E / -6.95000; 111.41667

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