Bacan

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"Bachan" redirects here. For the Bachchan family, see Bachchan Family.

Bacan (formerly Bachian or Bachan, Dutch: Batjan) is an island in Indonesia. It is one of the Molucca Islands, and is separated from the southwestern peninsula of Halmahera (also called Jilolo or Gilolo) by the Patinti Strait. To the north are the islands of Kayoa, Makian, Ternate, and Tidore. It is located at 0°13'- 0°55' S. and 127°22'- 128° E.

1 Population
2 Language
3 Geography
4 Natural life
5 History
6 References
7 See also

[edit] Population

The interior of the island is relatively uninhabited and none of the dwellers on the coast are indigenous. They consist of the Sirani (Christian descendants of the Portuguese), of Malays, Papuans, and immigrants from other islands. The total number of inhabitants is about 13,000. The most significant town on the island is Labuha, situated on the west side of the island. Nearby is the town of Amasing (or Amasingkota), once a significant settlement on the island.

[edit] Language

Several Austronesian and non-Austronesian languages are spoken on Bacan, including Tobelo, Galela, Ternate, Bajau, and Tukang Besi. However, the indigenous language of Bacan is Bacanese, also known as Bacan Malay (ISO 693-3 btj. There is some debate as to whether Bacanese is a Malay variety or a Malay-based creole.

Some Bacan words occurs in Wiltens & Danckaerts' 1623 vocabulary. Bacan is also reviewed in Adriani & Kruijt's 1914 monograph. The most detailed studies are by James T. Collins, who concludes that Bacan is indeed a Malay variety, descended from the Malay used in the Bacan Sultanate.

[edit] Geography

The island is of irregular form, consisting of two distinct mountainous parts, united by a low isthmus, which a slight subsidence would submerge. The total land area is around 5,416 km². The island is in part of volcanic formation, and the existence of hot springs points to volcanic activity. There are, however, especially in the southern portion, ancient and non-volcanic rocks. The highest elevation occurs at the south of the island, the mountain of Labua reaching 6,950 ft. Coal and other minerals have been discovered. A large portion of the island is richly wooded, and sago, coconuts and cloves (which are indigenous) are abundantly produced.

[edit] Natural life

Bacan is of interest to zoologists as the most eastern point on the globe inhabited by any of the Quadrumana, a black ape occurring here as in the Moluccas. The island is very rich in birds and insects. Bacan (along with Halmahera)is home for the world's largest bee, the giant mason bee, Chalicodoma pluto.

[edit] History

Bacan was once governed by an indigenous sultan, with a similar political structure to the more powerful sultanates in Ternate and Tidore.

The first significant European influence in Bacan came from the Portuguese, who established a fort on the island in 1558. In 1609, however, this fort was captured by the Dutch East India Company, marking the beginning of Dutch rule over Bacan. After 1889, the island's monarchy was replaced by committee of chiefs under the control of Dutch officer.

Colonial interest in Bacan was primarily driven by the spice trade, which was flourishing in Ternate, Tidore, and Halmahera. The island of Bacan was not particularly sought after for its own resources, but rather, to assist control of the more valuable islands nearby. From 1882 onwards, the Batjan Company attempted to exploit the island, but was largely unsuccessful owing to a deficient knowledge of the soil and its capabilities and a lack of labourers.

Bacan has more recently been in the news due to violence between Christian and Muslim inhabitants of the island.

[edit] References

Andaya, Leonard Y. 1993. The World of Maluku: Eastern Indonesia in the Early Modern Period. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press.
Collins, James T. 1983. Penggolongan bahasa Bacan. Nusantara 10.86-125.
Wiltens, Caspar & Sebastiaen Danckaerts. 1623. Vocabularium, ofte Woort-boek naer orare vanden alphabet in 't Duytsch-Maleysch ende Maleysch-Duytsch. 's-Gravenhage.