FUNGSI BAK AIR CIGAROKROK DAN PASIRGOMBONG KAITANNYA DENGAN TAMBANG EMAS COKOTOK ABAD XX The Function of Cigarokrok and Pasirgombong Water Tubs and Its Relation with the History of Cikotok Gold Mining in 20th Century

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is seeking to uncover and document Cigarokrok and Gombong water tubs which were built during the colonial period which is associated with the history of Cikotok Gold Mine. The data obtained based on the results of archaeological research on the pattern of distribution of the sites in Cibeber District, Lebak, Banten Province in 2007 with a survey method incorporated with literature studies and interviews. Based on the results, two tanks and dispenser of this water were built during the Dutch period in conjunction with the construction of Cikotok Gold Mine factories. Both the tank and the water dispenser have a value of history and archeology which are still functioning and utilized by the public until now. The functions of Cigarokrok Tubs building are as a container of  water and as a clean water divider for the daily water used by the residents in the Department of Housing Complex of Cikotok Gold Mining Company, Cikotok Gold Mine Offices, and surrounding communities. While the function of Gombong Sand Tubs are as water tub or pool reservoir to circulate water into the water engine (turbine) power plant (hydropower), and then the power is channeled to drive the machines in Cikotok Gold Mine Plant. In addition, the electricity is used to torch Cikotok houses and the surrounding community. Cigarokrok Tubs and Pasirgombong tubs are the physical evidence of building in Cikotok Gold Mine’s heyday which were built during the colonial period with the form and function of surviving and continuing until today as a cultural heritage that should be preserved to be maintained and protected. 

Keywords: water, tubs, mining gold, Cikotok area

Abstrak

Tujuan tulisan ini berupaya mengungkap dan mendokumentasikan bak air Cigarokrok dan bak air Pasirgombong yang dibangun pada masa kolonial dikaitkan dengan sejarah tambang emas Cikotok. Data diperoleh berdasarkan hasil penelitian  arkeologis tentang  pola persebaran situs-situs di kawasan Kecamatan Cibeber, Kabupaten Lebak, Provinsi Banten pada tahun 2007 dengan metode survei yang dilengkapi studi kepustakaan dan wawancara. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian, dua bak penampung dan pembagi air ini dibangun zaman Belanda bersamaan dengan pembangunan pabrik tambang emas Cikotok. Kedua bak air memiliki nilai sejarah dan arkeologi yang masih terus berfungsi dan dimanfaatkan oleh masyarakat sampai saat ini. Fungsi bangunan bak air Cigarokrok adalah tempat atau wadah penampung dan pembagi air untuk kebutuhan air bersih sehari-hari bagi warga yang ada di kompleks perumahan dinas perusahaan tambang emas Cikotok, perkantoran tambang emas Cikotok, dan masyarakat sekitar. Sedang fungsi bak air Pasirgombong merupakan bak atau kolam penampung air untuk dialirkan ke mesin (turbin) pembangkit listrik tenaga air (PLTA), dan kemudian aliran listrik tersebut disalurkan untuk penggerak mesin-mesin yang terdapat di pabrik tambang emas Cikotok. Selain itu, listrik tersebut dimanfaatkan untuk penerang rumah-rumah penduduk masyarakat Cikotok dan sekitarnya. Bak air Cigarokrok dan bak air Pasirgombong menjadi bukti fisik bangunan masa kejayaan tambang emas Cikotok yang dibangun masa kolonial dengan bentuk dan fungsi masih bertahan dan berlanjut hingga sekarang ini sebagai warisan budaya yang perlu dilestarikan untuk dipelihara dan dilindungi.

Kata Kunci: air, bak air, tambang emas, kawasan Cikotok