Kemarau Island

Kemarau Island is in the Musi River delta.  The name Kemarau Island was given by local inhabitants because this delta is always dry and never floods, even during high tides, as if it is a floating island. It is a very special place for the local ethnic Chinese. On this island, there are pagodas and temples. Its presence is closely related to a legend which says that the delta appeared as evidence of the love of Princess Siti Fatimah (daughter of King Sriwijaya) to her husband.  Her story is similar to that of Romeo & Juliet, or Sampek Eng Tay. It started at the end of the 14th century when a prince from China, Tan Bu An, came to Palembang to study. After living here for some time, he fell in love with princes Siti Fatimah.  He then came to her palace to propose to her. Her parents granted their approval on one condition; Tan Bu An must give a present. Tan Bu An then asked his messenger to return to China to ask for such a present from his father for the King.  Soon after, the messenger returned with vegetables and fruits. Tan Bu An was surprised and angry because he expected his father to give Chinese jars, ceramics and money. He threw the ships cargo into the Musi River, not knowing that his father actually put some money inside the vegetables and fruits.  Because he was ashamed after finding out about his mistake, he collected what he had thrown away in the river.  Tan Bu An never returned as he drown together with the vegetables and fruits. When she heard about the tragedy, Siti Fatimah ran to the river and drown trying to follow her lover. Before that, she left a message; "If you see a tree grow on a piece of land where I drown, it will be a tree of our love ". The princess then drown and a piece of land appeared on the rivers surface. The local community believes that this new land is the couple’s tomb and therefore, they call it "Kemarau Island" which means despite high tides in the Musi River, this island will always be dry. The local ethnic Chinese believe that their ancestor, Tan Bun An, lives on this island.  As a result, this area is always crowded during Chinese New Year. In 2006, a pagoda was built as a worship place and a location for other events.