The Root Bridge in South Pesisir

Location

Unique,antique,and never think by people before. Maybe, its your comment,when you see a bridge that connected two villages first.There are Pulut-pulut and Lubuk Silaudi Nagari Asam Kumbang,North Bayang subdistrict,Pesisir Selatan Regency,West Sumatra. It has the distance around 65km from Padang,the Capital of West Sumatra.The Root Bridge, which passed Batang Bayang River,its pure from woods root. It had tied together nicely until connected each other and able to pass by man.Nowadays it is very crowded to trough and visit by visitors. Therefor,its fastened by steel wire in the both sides to preservation.

History the building of bridge

According the legend, where the Root Bridge located in Pulut-pulut Village,a teacher who named Fakih Sokan felt concerned with his students which could not go to study reading because a flood of Batang Bayang River in 19th century lately. Although there was a bamboo bridge which made by villagers, but it was not strong enough to hold out a flooding.

Since that event, Fakih Sokan came to his own mind to make a bridge that did not use a post,which embedded in the bottom of river, in order that it did not was away if it overflows. Therefore,he planted two Banyan trees in the both side bank of river,in the base of Bamboo Bridge,which made by villagers exactly. Days by days passed away,The Banyan trees which planted by Fakih Sokan became bigger. Little by little,the Banyan trees root which hang in the both sides wounded by him on the bamboo bridge that cross over Batang Bayang River.Years by years the root trees connected each other at last, and made the bridge became stronger.After 25 years since Fakih Sokan twist the root,it could cross by the villagers at last. Today,the masterpiece of him can you see where it still exist and became one of world wondering.


Facility and accommodation for tourists in Padang is available. You do not worry about security and comfortable. There are hotel and hiring car or public transportation, which is ready to carry you to the Root Bridge.