“WAROENG SEMAWIS”: COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES FOR CULTURAL AREA CONSERVATION IN CHINATOWN SEMARANG

Abstract

Semarang one northern Java coastal city has a large port as the gateway entrance of trading activity by its history. Great influence the field of trade affects the development of the city which also has a district characterized by ethnic landscape like Chinatown, Arab village, Indian village, Kauman village, but the ethnic majority today are ethnic Chinese. Beginning of the arrival of the Chinese in Semarang to trade, then they stay here. Almost every city in Indonesia has a Chinatown that serves as a center for economic and residential. As a component of urban unique, Chinatown has a unique potential in the aspect of urban, architectural, economic and socio-cultural activities are interrelated. Chinatowns as one part of the old village conservation Semarang had most of artifacts that reflect the history of past products include characteristics of economic activities, social and cultural communities still survive to this day. In the development of Chinatowns grow with unique characteristics as a regional trade (Chinese Bussiness District). In the area of Chinatown's social and cultural life of ethnic Chinese are still there, so it held a routine activity every Friday, Saturday and Sunday to preserve it. An arena of retail trade activities related products typical or identity Chinatown. These activities are in a public space that is the road that was partially closed to vehicles. The activity is called "Waroeng Semawis" (Semarang to Tourism), while the word 'Semawis' comes from the Javanese language to soften the word 'Semarang'. Activities "Waroeng Semawis" has been going on since 2005 until now is still lively. "Waroeng Semawis" has given characteristic of Semarang as one of the objects of cultural and culinary destination