Blora Regency Kabupaten Blora | |
|---|---|
 Adipura monument | |
 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 withinCentral Java | |
| Coordinates:6°57′0″S111°25′0″E / 6.95000°S 111.41667°E /-6.95000; 111.41667 | |
| Country | Indonesia |
| Province | Central Java |
| Incorporated (regency) | 11 December 1749 |
| Capital | Blora |
| Government | |
| • Regent | Arief Rohman |
| • Vice Regent | Tri Yuli Setyowati |
| • Chairman of the Regional Representatives Council | HM. Dasum |
| Area | |
• Total | 1,955.83 km2 (755.15 sq mi) |
| Population (mid 2023 estimate) | |
• Total | 901,621 |
| • Density | 460/km2 (1,200/sq mi) |
| [1] | |
| Time zone | UTC+7 (WIB) |
| Area code | (+62) 296 |
| Website | blorakab.go.id |
Blora (Javanese:ꦧ꧀ꦭꦺꦴꦫ) is aregency in the northeastern part ofCentral Java province inIndonesia. Its capital is the town ofBlora. The regency is located in the easternmost part ofCentral Java and borders theBengawan Solo River and theEast 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]
According to folklore, the word Blora is derived from the wordbelor which means mud. It then evolved intombeloran, thenblora.[4] This folk etymology could partly explain the origin of this name, as the word evolved from Old Javanese instead of the modernbelor. See the explanation below.
The word Blora means low, watery ground. The name was derived fromway andlorah combined (wailorah), which means water and cliff, respectively. During its evolution, the ModernJavanese 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 becamebailorah, thenbailora, and finallyblora.[4]
Blora was under the administration of theDuchy of Jipang in the 16th century, which was itself still ruled by theDemak Sultanate at the time. The Duke of the duchy wasArya Penangsang, better known as Aria Jipang. The area under the control of the duchy includes Pati, Lasem, Blora, and Jipang. But, afterJoko Tingkir (Hadiwijaya) inherited the throne, the capital was moved intoPajang. After that, Blora was under theKingdom of Pajang.[5]
TheDuchy of Jipang did not rule for long, because it was seized by theMataram Kingdom. Blora was in the eastern part of the kingdom (Bang Wetan). During the reign ofPakubuwono 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]
When Mataram was under the administration ofPakubuwono II (1727–1749), there was a rebellion led byMangkubumi and Mas Sahid, Mangkubumi succeeded in controlling Sukawati,Grobogan,Demak, Blora, andYogyakarta. Finally,Mangkubumi was appointed by the people to be a king in Yogyakarta.[5]
From thePajang era to theMataram era, the Blora Regency was an important area for kingdoms. This was because Blora was known for its teak forests.[citation needed] News fromBabad Giyanti andSerat Kuntharatama stated thatMangkubumi 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]
The War of Mangkubumi ended with theGiyanti agreement, in 1755, which was known aspalihan negari. Because of this agreement, Mataram was divided into two kingdoms, theSurakarta Sultanate underPaku Buwana III, andYogyakarta, under SultanHamengkubuwono I. In the now-divided kingdom, Blora was in the Surakarta Sultanate as part of the Mancanegara Timur area. However, the regent ofWilatikta did not agree to join the sultanate, so he chose to resign from his position.[5]
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 theCilegon incident in 1888.[5] Two years later,Saminism, a mystical religious sect, rose from the Randublatung region in Blora andBojonegoro Regency in 1890,[4] and gained prominence in the early 20th century. Headed by aJavanese peasant,Surontiko Samin, it followed the teachings of theIslamic 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 theDutch 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 newBlora Residency; it was abolished in 1931.
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 ofSemarang toLamongan (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]
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 507,375 | — |
| 1971 | 567,091 | +11.8% |
| 1980 | 696,523 | +22.8% |
| 1990 | 767,228 | +10.2% |
| 2000 | 826,229 | +7.7% |
| 2005 | 827,587 | +0.2% |
| 2010 | 829,728 | +0.3% |
| 2015 | 851,841 | +2.7% |
| 2020 | 884,333 | +3.8% |
| 2023 | 901,621 | +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]
Blora Regency is divided into 16districts orkecamatan, sub-divided into 271rural villages ordesa, and 24urban villages orkelurahan.[15] Before the division in the 2000s, Blora Regency (at that time theBlora Level II District) was divided into anadministrative city, fiveregent assistants, 19 (nineteen)sub-districts, ninesub-districtrepresentatives, 429rural villages ordesa, and 26urban villages orkelurahan. 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 ofvillages 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 2kelurahan (Randublatung and Wulung). (b) including 6kelurahan (Balun, Cepu, Karangboyo, Ngelo, Ngroto and Tambakromo).
(c) including onekelurahan - the district centre. (d) comprising 12kelurahan (Bangkle, Beran, Jetis, Karangjati, Kauman, Kedungjenar, Kunden, Mlangsen, Sonorejo, Tambahrejo, Tegalgunung and Tempelan) and 16desa. (e) including 2kelurahan (Ngawen and Punggursugih).
An inter-provincial road passes through Blora, connectingSemarang, the capital ofCentral Java, toSurabaya, the capital ofEast Java viaPurwodadi. It is a 2nd class road, because most people prefer Semarang-Surabaya viaRembang, 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 inCepu 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 atNgloram (Kapuan),Cepu District with a 900-metre longrunway, located at7°11′41″S111°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]
Agriculture is the main sector of the economy. In the forestry sub-sector, Blora is one of the main producers of high qualityteak wood inJava.[20]
The Cepu area has long been known as an area full of petroleum, which has been exploited since theDutch 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 PTAmpolex 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?]
Barongan Gembong Amijoyo is carried out in village and family agendas, such assedekah 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 strongsantri 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]
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Media related toBlora Regency at Wikimedia CommonsRegencies and cities ofCentral Java | ||
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6°57′0″S111°25′0″E / 6.95000°S 111.41667°E /-6.95000; 111.41667
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