Why Sekadau Is Known as “The Land of Lawang Kuwari”
“Lawang” means gate or door, and “Kuwari” refers to a native tree species that once thrived at the confluence of the Sekadau and Kapuas Rivers. Doc. Eremespe.
🌍 PONTIANAK | BORNEOTRAVEL : In the heart of West Kalimantan, Indonesia, lies a town quietly undergoing a cultural reawakening. Sekadau, once a modest transit hub on the island of Borneo, is now boldly reclaiming its identity.
Locals now call it “Bumi Lawang Kuwari” —the Land of Lawang Kuwari— a name that echoes from city gates to government buildings, from bustling markets to riverside roundabouts. It is more than branding. It is a reclamation of history.
Lawang Kuwari not only as a historical site
Under the leadership of Regent Aron, S.H., Sekadau has embraced Lawang Kuwari not only as a historical site but as a symbolic axis around which the town revolves.
Lawang Kuwari is now etched into the everyday vocabulary of the region. Nearly every civic landmark bears its name:
Lawang Kuwari Market, a vibrant hub of trade.
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Lawang Kuwari Terminal, connecting lives and livelihoods.
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Lawang Kuwari Fountain, standing at the tri-junction near the church, as a striking urban centerpiece.
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Lawang Kuwari Roundabout, gazing out over the Kapuas River.
Each naming is not incidental; it is intentional. A civic act of memory and cultural declaration.
The meaning behind the name
In the local Dayak language, “Lawang” means gate or door, and “Kuwari” refers to a native tree species that once thrived at the confluence of the Sekadau and Kapuas Rivers. This resilient tree, historically used to craft sape —a traditional Dayak string instrument— imbues the name with poetic symbolism.
Lawang Kuwari, then, becomes “The Gate of the Kuwari Tree.” It evokes both passage and rootedness, the threshold to something sacred and storied.
But Lawang Kuwari is more than a name. It is a place steeped in legend.
According to oral history, the site was once the sanctuary of Prince Agong, a noble of the Sekadau Kingdom. Disheartened by the political succession at the royal center in Kematu, Prince Agong withdrew to this remote riverbank. Here, he entered a period of retreat and reflection—part exile, part spiritual quest.
Today, that same riverside enclave, still accessible only by speedboat, retains its aura of mystery. The sweeping view of the Kapuas, the hush of the trees, the gentle hum of history in the air—it remains a place set apart.
More than a memory
In today’s Sekadau, Lawang Kuwari is living heritage. It has evolved from a forgotten landmark to a multi-dimensional symbol —uniting tradition, development, and aspiration.
As a historical tourism destination, Lawang Kuwari offers visitors a rare blend: natural beauty, rich folklore, and cultural gravitas. For Sekadau, it’s also an economic opportunity—one that promises jobs, small business growth, and a renewed sense of civic pride.
Moreover, the prominence of Lawang Kuwari is fostering community awareness. Locals are re-engaging with their own history. Young people are being taught not just where they come from, but what that place means.
A Town on the move
Sekadau is no longer just a stopover. With increasing interest from tourists and cultural scholars, it is becoming a destination in its own right. Positioned at a strategic crossroad in eastern West Kalimantan, the town is leveraging its past to chart a dynamic future.
Lawang Kuwari, in this context, is not merely a monument. It is a metaphor. It represents a door opening—toward remembrance, toward development, and toward a renewed cultural consciousness.
Lawang Kuwari is not just part of Sekadau. It is Sekadau. A symbol carved in wood, memory, and will. An enduring gate through which history flows into the present.
Welcome to the Land of Lawang Kuwari.
-- Rangkaya Bada
