Golekan
Traditional Madurese cargo boat, once trading as far as Singapore.
The golekan is a traditional boat from Madura, Indonesia, once sailing as far as Singapore, where it was called a Madurese trader. Today, it is only found locally, particularly near Bangkalan in western Madura and around the Kangean islands.
The name’s origin is debated. Dutch observer van Deventer wrote that it means “freight seeker.” Gibson-Hill claimed it comes from the Malay word *golek*, meaning “crank” or “tippy” when applied to a canoe. However, the name more likely derives from *kolek*, a Javanese word for “boat” used for various small craft along Java’s north coast, making *golekan* mean “a kind of *kolek*.” In Madurese culture, the golekan was considered a “male” boat (*parao laki*), with different ornamental motifs from the “female” *lis-alis* and *janggolan* (*parao bini*). Its primary symbol was the rooster, associated in Indonesian culture with combat and fearlessness.
The golekan is an indigenous *perahu* type, showing no modern influence in hull form, construction, or rigging, though it appears to be a relatively recent development. It has a single large, thick *linggi* (stempost) like the *leti leti*, with black painted *gulungan* motifs. It has a deckhouse but no secondary cabin aft. It usually carried two sails (often *lete* sails), with the upper beam supported by a temporary pole and mast set to windward or on both sides, with support ropes at each upper beam. Hulls were always painted white, with polychrome sheer stripes, and the upper ends of the posts and finials were black. Medium-sized golekan used as fish transporters were about 12 meters long with a long deckhouse. Those from Telaga Biru were larger and more numerous, consistently about 55 feet (16.8 m) long and 14 feet (4.3 m) wide. The vessels remained fully traditional until the mid-1970s, when the first engine was installed. The last traditional golekan was built in 1983. Golekans reaching Singapore in the 1950s were 50–55 ft (15.24–16.8 m) long, with a beam of 12.5–13 ft (3.81–3.96 m) and a waterline length of 41–45 ft (12.5–13.7 m). A golekan with a 52 ft (15.85 m) waterline could carry 500–550 *pikul* (31.2–34.4 tons). They are slow, seldom exceeding 8.5 knots (15.7 km/h).
In the past, the golekan was used as a transport vessel, reaching as far as Singapore.
- Type
- Traditional sailing boat
- Origin
- Madura, Indonesia
- Also known as
- Madurese trader (in Singapore)
- Primary symbol
- Rooster
- Gender association
- Male (parao laki)
- Length range
- 12–55 ft (3.7–16.8 m)
- Max speed
- Seldom exceeds 8.5 knots (15.7 km/h)
Lore & Background
The etymology of golekan is disputed. Dutch observer van Deventer wrote that it means 'freight seeker', while Gibson-Hill stated the name comes from the Malay word golek, meaning 'crank' or 'tippy' when applied to a canoe. Rather, the name derived from kolek, a Javanese word for 'boat', thus golekan would mean 'a kind of kolek'. In Madurese culture, golekan were regarded as 'male' boats (parao laki), with the rooster as the primary symbol, associated with combat and fearlessness. This contrasts with lis-alis and janggolan, which were considered female boats (parao bini).
The golekan is an indigenous perahu type with no trace of modern influence in hull form, construction, or sailing rig, though it appears to have been a relatively recent development. It had a single large and fat stempost like the leti leti, with gulungan motifs painted black, and a deckhouse without a secondary cabin at the aft. The hulls were always painted white, with polychrome sheer stripe and black upper portions of end posts and finials. Medium-sized golekan used as fish transporters were about 12 metres in length, while those from Telaga Biru were larger, consistent at about 55 feet (16.8 m) length and 14 feet (4.3 m) beam. The vessels remained fully traditional until the mid-1970s, when the first engine was installed; the last traditional golekan was built in 1983.
Reader's Guide
The golekan played a significant role in Madurese maritime trade and transport. In the past, it was used as a transport vessel reaching as far as Singapore. In the early 1950s, golekan from Sepulu sailed to Singapore with mixed cargoes of palm sugar, coffee, tamarind, dried fish, and mats, along with passengers from Bawean. Madurese skippers would buy cattle from local markets and sell them for profit in Pontianak, Manggar, or Pangkal Pinang, making six voyages a year during the dry season only. The largest golekan could carry up to 40 animals tethered inside the long deckhouse. Since the 1980s, increasing amounts of timber were brought to Telaga Biru, and by the 1990s this timber trade bloomed, with trucks from East Java and even Bali coming to obtain high-quality timber.
Smaller golekan (about 20 tons) were used for transporting fish from perahu mayang that remained at sea, with a row of boiling pots for sterilizing fish. In Bangkalan, the golekan was heavier and slower than the lis-alis but more useful in open sea, especially during the western season wind. Every village needed several of each type to survive every season. The golekan's legacy lies in its representation of a fully indigenous boat type that persisted into the late 20th century, adapting from sail to engine while maintaining traditional construction until 1983.
Did You Know?
- The name 'golekan' may derive from the Javanese word 'kolek', meaning 'boat', making golekan 'a kind of kolek'.
- Golekan were regarded as 'male' boats (parao laki) and used the rooster as their primary symbol.
- In the early 1950s, golekan from Sepulu sailed to Singapore carrying palm sugar, coffee, tamarind, dried fish, mats, and passengers from Bawean.
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