Musi Hilir

The lower Musi carries the waters of southern Sumatra past Palembang and through a broad, low estuary towards the Bangka Strait. Tidal channels and muddy banks make the river mouth a landscape of water and wetland. Farther upstream, Palembang grew into a major centre of Srivijaya and later of a Malay sultanate. Ships entering the river brought overseas merchants into contact with the communities and produce of the Musi basin.