“A pumpkin patch in Jakarta?” you might ask. Not quite. Let me tell you about Pondok Labu. It is a place with a story rooted deep in Jakarta’s past. Pondok Labu is now a vibrant part of South Jakarta. It is known as a student area due to its many schools.
Once upon a time, Pondok Labu was a world away from the bustling city. Imagine a peaceful area filled with plantations and farms. The name “Pondok Labu” itself gives us a clue. “Pondok” meant a simple hut or shelter. Farmers used it as a resting place while working their land. “Labu” refers to the large yellow gourds that grew here. So, Pondok Labu was a hut surrounded by pumpkin vines.
In 1803, Pondok Labu was owned by Pieter Walbeck. He was a Dutch landowner with estates also in Cinere and Lebak Bulus. The Dutch called this area Simplicitas. Walbeck built a rice mill and a rest house here. Both were also named Simplicitas. These were located near the Pesanggrahan River.
Today, Pondok Labu has transformed. But it carries echoes of its past. When you walk through Pondok Labu, remember the farmers. Think of the pumpkin vines. Imagine the simple huts that gave this place its name. Pondok Labu has grown into a lively area, but its origins remain. It began as a simple farming village. It is a story of Jakarta’s journey.