History

Bangka Island situated at the Southern of the China Sea, it's between Sumatera and Borneo Island, the land area around 11,6 thousand square Km, strectching 180 km from Northwest to Southeast, the island has various highlands which are mostly located in the middle of the island and many river follow diverse of the open sea, many beautiful beaches located in the Northwest of the Bangka Island. During the 17th Century, Bangka Island was inhabited by Hindu, people from Siantan and Johor of Malaysia. Subsequently it was occupied by Sriwijaya Kingdom ( 686 AD ) who was written " Wangka " which means " Tin " on a stone, that's why Bangka Island is also called " Tin Island ", the stone was found in the Western part of the island, near Kota Kapur, now the stone still can be seen at the National Museum in Jakarta. The Island has a population of approximately 600 thousand people, consist of different ethinic groups which come from all part of Indonesia, there are a large number of Chinese in habitans especially in the north around Belinyu. Accounting for 30% of the Bangka population. 66% of Bangka people still depend of farming, other decendant of the tin mining company worker, fishing and other activities. Bangka has its own unique crafts witch are made of Bahar root ( a kind of seaweed ), craftsmen make it into various kinds of souveniers such as rings, bracelets, cigarette pipes, etc. There are also handycrafts made of tinor pewter. Sepintu Sedulang dance performed to welcome distinguished guests, the dance describes the open-hearted character of the Bangkanese people, it is also performed during festive occations, other dance is Lion dance, it is performed to chase away evil spirits, some dancers being under a magicianis influence go into a trance. please visit http://www.tanjung-pesona.com/index.html