Palembang, Palembangs, or Palembangese (Palembang: wong Palembang; wong kito galo) are one of the indigenous Sumatrans native to the southeastern Sumatra regions of Palembang in Indonesia. There are approximately 3,800,000 native Palembang living in regions across Indonesia, and there are about 30,000 Palembang diaspora living outside of Indonesia, mainly in Singapore.
Architecture
Traditional houses
Traditionally, the Palembang indigenous traditional houses are having its own characteristics and symbolism that portrayed in architectural form. Each traditional house has its own historical and influences meaning.
Baghi house
Baghi house is one of the traditional Palembang houses that been well-preserved since ancient times, heavily influenced by the tribal Musi architecture. Baghi house can't be separated with the Palembang history, it is considered as one of the prominent native (Musi) architectural in terms of traditional house.
The architectural aspect of Baghi house is depicted on the coat of arms of South Sumatra to represent Palembang as the capital city of South Sumatra and to symbolize the harmony and safety of Palembang city and South Sumatra province in general that been genuinely preserved since ancient times. In 2021, the Baghi house are officially recognized as the Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture.
Cagho Godang house
[[File:COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Mensen luisteren voor het residentiehuis in Palembang naar een toespraak tijdens de viering van het regeringsjubileum van Koningin Wilhelmina TMnr 10030158.jpg|thumb|The Cagho Godang house used as the huis of the Resident during the Dutch colonialism era (the jubileum of Queen Wilhelmina event) in Palembang.]] Etymologically, the Cagho Godang might refers to the warehouse due to its elongated building shape that looks like warehouse, but probably also might derived from , which literally means 'huge' or 'big'. But however, Cagho Godang house of Palembang are different than the well-known Minangkabau's house.
The shape of this house is like a stage and elongated with a pole as high as 2m. The main material for building this traditional house is wood. The wood used comes from tembesu, unglen, and petanang types of wood. These woods are used because apart from being strong, they are also sturdy. The Cagho Godang traditional house is divided into 3 parts, namely the back part, the middle part, and the front part. The back has a room that functions as an indoor room, kitchen, or bedroom. The middle part has a room that functions as a room for honorable or elderly guests. Meanwhile, the front has a room that is functioned as a place to rest, gather, or be used as a place to hold a feast.
In 2010, the Cagho Godang which is the traditional Palembang type of house are officially recognized as the Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture. Limas house
The Limas house are associated with the nobility and other people of high status by the Palembang people. In 2010, the Limas house () are officially recognized as the Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture.
Rakit house
The Musi river is one of the veins of South Sumatra, according to the Dutch historical account, in early 19th century, Palembang are also known as 'the Venice of the East' or 'the water city' because more than 100 rivers and its tributary are flowing through the Palembang city. For the Palembang, the existence of rivers serves as a source of food, livelihood, and especially clean water sources. In architecture that has a 'built environment' concept, buildings are always influenced by its environmental conditions. In other words, natural conditions will directly affect human behavior, including in designing the architectural form of the house.
The Rakit house is the oldest form of traditional house in Palembang, and may have existed way before the existence of the famous Srivijaya empire. The Rakit house is also a hallmark of the community living on the river as the first floating residential dwelling that also known to the Komering community. In 2010, these type of traditional Palembang house are officially recognized as the Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Indonesian Ministry of Education and Culture.
Cuisine
Culture
The Palembang culture is one of the oldest civilisations and has flourished in Indonesia, especially in the southern hempishere of Sumatra.
