Description:
The discourse about river in culture is supported by activist non-government organization. Mr Ibnu Sina, the Major of Banjarmasin, has policy to maintain the river by designing the identity of Banjarmasin as “Banjarmasin Baiman” as abbreviation of barasih (clean) and nyaman (comfort). However, they maintain the river is not only for physical side but also Banjarese mindset because they forget the river ecology. Banjarmasin Post, one of the biggest newspapers in South Borneo, has a symbol a Banjarese traditional house and traditional boat of Banjarese or Jukung Tambangan. The symbol of Banjarmasin Post resembles the river civilization. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to describe of river civilization, embedded in Banjarese and Dayakese life or to be a part of their daily activities for a long time ago. This research used ethnography method which more emphasized on library research. Banjarmasin Post is primary data, and the other literature as secondary data. Therefore, the results of my research are: (1) Banjarmasin Post Newspaper has symbol about river civilization, such as picture Rumah Bubungan Tinggi or traditional house and traditional boat or Jukung Tambangan. The Banjarmasin Post has the symbol at column Pandiran di Getek (the conversation on traditional boat); (2) From the symbol of Banjarmasin Post, we know interconnection which a part of the local newspaper and in has interrelation with river culture as the character of Banjarese People. The analysis will explain that we have symbol about river culture as the river civilization embedded in Banjarmasin Post. The symbol gives meaning that the river ecology is close to the reader. Finally, this paper describes that river culture is our blue print, but sometimes it is reduced by social change and disoriented minded. Hopefully, the Banjarmasin Post symbol can bring back our imagination about it.
Keywords: symbol, river, mindset, civilization.