Endeavors In Repositioning The “Once Famous Tribe” As Traders

Abstract

Before the Banjar kingdom in Kalimantan was abolished by the Dutch on June 11, 1860 Bakumpai people were accomplished traders. They trade along the Barito river and the Katingan river. They bring and sell merchandise such as salt, tobacco sugar and cloth. They buy forest products such as resin, wax, rattan, and rubber. The forest products are sold in Banjarmasin, brought to Java and to Singapore. Now this Bakumpai trader is unable to compete with new traders who enter the rivers. The new traders are Chinese and Banjar people. The problem is why the Bakumpai people lost in controlling the trade. This research is a qualitative study, which is looking for the needed resources The results of this study indicate that the Bakumpai people continue to trade as before. Trade with goods exchanged with goods. New traders buy forest products with money. New traders have used financial resources and trading facilities to get money as business capital. Bakumpai people usually break trading during the month of Ramadan to worship which can cause them to lose their subscriptions. So that Bakumpai people can again become accomplished traders along the Barito and Katingan rivers, it is recommended to set a strategy by following the current flow of trade, using financial and trade facilities today.