Whispers of the past echo here in Sawangan Lama. This unassuming corner of Depok holds a history far richer than its tranquil present suggests. Sawangan Lama isn’t just a name on a map. It’s a living testament to faith courage and resilience.
Imagine Sawangan Lama centuries ago. A quiet settlement its name possibly derived from the Sundanese word ‘sawang’ meaning ‘to see’. Or perhaps from the Minahasan word meaning ‘together’. But the most captivating story links its origin to Syekh Sawangan. A great wali a revered Islamic teacher. His legacy lives on in the Al-Hamidiyah Islamic boarding school. Syekh Sawangan’s tomb stands proudly in front of it a silent guardian of Sawangan Lama’s spiritual heart. He spread Islam during the reign of Prabu Surawisesa in the 14th century. His work continued with the arrival of troops from Banten. Ratu Kiranawati the leader of Tanjung Jaya collaborated with him. Together they expanded the reach of Islam.
Sawangan Lama’s Islamic identity is undeniable. Twenty-four pesantren numerous madrasahs and thousands of mosques and mushollass are a testament to this enduring faith. This is Sawangan Lama a place where spirituality has shaped its identity for generations.
But Sawangan Lama is more than just a religious center. It’s also a place of fierce struggle. During the Dutch colonial era its people resisted bravely. The Sawangan Stone Monument stands as a proud symbol of this resistance. It commemorated the defeat of Dutch NICA troops by local youth and villagers in November 1945. The monument unveiled on December 29 1979 is a tribute to their valor.
Stories of these battles are passed down through generations. Ri’an bin Ri’in an eyewitness at thirteen vividly recalled the intense fighting. He recounted the fear as gunfire echoed through the village. NICA troops were overseeing bridge construction near Parung Bingung on the border with Cipayung. The clash between NICA and TKR led by Basyir escalated. NICA retaliated forcefully pushing the TKR into hiding. Local residents played a crucial role. Some say they created a system of trenches and traps near Parung Bingung. These traps later became part of the Kali Caringin flowing into the Kali Pesanggrahan. The ingenious tactic forced the Dutch to retreat back to Batavia.
Before the modern housing developments Sawangan Lama was predominantly rubber plantations and rice paddies. Baron de Crombrugghe de Looringhe a Belgian who leased land from the VOC owned vast tracts. This land stretched from Bedahan to the Sawangan Monument covering around two hectares. After independence the local community utilized the rubber factory. A testament to this era is a water jar known as ‘Gentong Belanda’. This historic artifact remains in the northern part of Bedahan.
Sawangan Lama’s history isn’t just in monuments and stories. It’s woven into the fabric of the land the very air you breathe. Stand here for a moment and absorb the essence of this place. Feel the weight of history. Hear the echoes of faith and the whispers of resistance. This is Sawangan Lama a place where the past continues to speak.