Analisis Historis, Temporal, dan Spasial terhadap Nama Rupabumi Warisan Kolonial Belanda di Papua untuk Penyusunan Basis Data Eksonim

Albina Apriadsa, Dr. Bowo Susilo, S.Si., M.T.; Dr. Sudaryatno, M.Si.

2026 | Tesis | S2 Geografi

Keberadaan eksonim di Papua perlu ditinjau seiring anjuran United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN) dan amanat Peraturan Pemerintah Nomor 2 Tahun 2021 tentang Penyelenggaraan Nama Rupabumi terkait prioritas penggunaan toponim lokal. Hingga tahun 2025, Tim Nasional Pembakuan Nama Rupabumi (PNR) belum secara resmi mengidentifikasi keberadaan eksonim tersebut. Oleh karena itu, penelitian ini bertujuan untuk (1) mengidentifikasi dan menyusun basis data eksonim dari peta dan gazeter era kolonial Belanda; (2) mengkaji latar belakang penamaan eksonim secara historis berdasarkan asal bahasa, tipologi penamaan, dan arti nama; (3) mengkaji dinamika perubahan eksonim secara temporal dari peta dan gazeter era kolonial Belanda dan  kondisi saat ini; dan (4) mengkaji pola sebaran spasial eksonim berdasarkan asal bahasa, tipologi penamaan, dan dinamikanya.

Identifikasi eksonim dilakukan berdasarkan peta-peta era kolonial Belanda (1912, 1919, 1954, dan 1956-1958) dan Gazeter 1955, dikomparasikan dengan Peta RBI Format Cetak (2004, 2009-2010, dan 2014) Data DEMNAS, Data Dasar RBI (2018), dan GRI termutakhir. Unsur rupabumi yang dikaji meliputi pulau, kepulauan, gunung, pegunungan, sungai, celah, teluk, tanjung, semenanjung, plato, gletser, pesisir, selat, gosong, karang, danau, dan kota. Berbagai literatur kredibel digunakan sehingga menghasilkan analisis historis dan temporal yang komprehensif. Sementara itu, analisis KDE, NNI, dan SDE digunakan untuk mengetahui pola sebaran spasial.

Sebanyak 415 eksonim berhasil diidentifikasi di seluruh wilayah Papua dan dihimpun dalam suatu basis data. Mayoritas eksonim berasal dari bahasa Belanda (80%) dan berdasarkan tipologi penamaan didominasi oleh kategori eponymous (48%). Terdapat tiga hal yang memengaruhi ketepatan pemaknaan eksonim, yaitu konteks historis penamaan, hubungan dengan eksonim di sekitarnya, dan sumber rujukan. Ditinjau dari dinamikanya, sebanyak 44% eksonim telah mengalami perubahan melalui penggantian nama dan penerjemahan. Hasil analisis spasial menunjukkan bahwa eksonim yang terklaster dengan kriteria tertentu berkaitan dengan aktivitas penjelajahan dan praktik penamaan rupabumi oleh bangsa Inggris, Prancis, dan Belanda di masa lalu.

The existence of exonyms in Papua requires reassessment in accordance with the recommendations of the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names (UNGEGN) and the mandate of Government Regulation No. 2 of 2021 on Geographical Names Administration, both of which emphasise the use of local geographical names. As of 2025, the National Team for the Standardisation of Geographical Names has not formally identified these exonyms. This study aims to identify and compile a database of exonyms from Dutch colonial maps and gazetteers, examine their historical background in terms of linguistic origin, naming type, and meaning, analyse their evolution over time, and investigate their spatial distribution patterns.

Exonyms were identified from Dutch colonial maps produced in 1912, 1919, 1954, and 1956–1958, as well as from a 1955 gazetteer, and subsequently compared with more recent sources, including printed RBI maps (2004, 2009–2010, and 2014), DEMNAS, digital RBI data (2018), and the latest Geographical Names Gazetteer (GRI). The study encompasses a wide range of geographical features, including islands, archipelagos, mountains, mountain ranges, rivers, gorges, bays, capes, peninsulas, plateaux, glaciers, coasts, straits, banks, reefs, lakes, and settlements. Historical and temporal analyses were supported by authoritative literature, while spatial patterns were examined using Kernel Density Estimation (KDE), the Nearest Neighbour Index (NNI), and the Standard Deviational Ellipse (SDE).

A total of 415 exonyms were identified across Papua. The majority originate from Dutch (80%) and are predominantly eponymous (48%), reflecting the strong influence of colonial naming practices. The interpretation of these names was shaped by three key factors: historical context, relationships with neighbouring toponyms, and the reliability of reference sources. Over time, approximately 44% of the exonyms have been renamed or translated, indicating a gradual shift towards local naming systems. Spatial analysis further reveals that exonyms are distributed in distinct clusters, closely associated with historical exploration routes and naming activities undertaken by British, French, and Dutch expeditions.

Kata Kunci : eksonim, kolonial Belanda, Papua, toponim