Gorontalo Sultanate

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Gorontalo Sultanate
(Jawi: هولونتالو)
Pohala'a Hulontalo
Kerajaan Gorontalo
Kesultanan Gorontalo
1385–1878
Brief van Sultan Muhammad Iskandar Hasanuddin van Gorontalo - 1791.png
Letter from the Sultan of Gorontalo in 1791
Gorontalo Sultanate Royal Seal.png
Official letter stamp of the Gorontalo Sultanate
Kawasan Benteng Kesultanan Gorontalo (Pohala'a Gorontalo).png
Painting of the fort and palace area of the Gorontalo Sultanate in 1821. This area was built by Sultan Botutihe in 1738.
Gorontalo Sultanate Territory.png
The territory of the Gorontalo Sultanate's power and influence extended to Tomini-Bocht in Sausu and Tomini Bay in 1821.
Capital Biawu
Common languages Gorontalo
Religion
Sunni Islam
Government Constitutional monarchy
King and Sultan  
 1300–1385
Humalanggi
 1523–1550
Amai
 1859–1878
Zainal Abidin Monoarfa
History 
 Founded
1385
 Dutch East Indies colony
1878
Succeeded by
Dutch East Indies Flag of the Netherlands.svg
Today part ofFlag of Indonesia.svg Indonesia

Gorontalo Sultanate, formerly known as the Hulontalo Kingdom (Gorontalo: Pohala'a Hulontalo), is one of the oldest kingdoms in the Northern Peninsula of Sulawesi island, and the most influential in the entire Tomini Bay, Indonesia. [1] This kingdom is located in the central part of the northern arm of the island of Sulawesi, and is flanked by two strategic waters, namely Gorontalo Bay in the south and Celebes Sea in the north.

Contents

History

During its heyday, the Gorontalo Sultanate became the center for the spread of Islam and the most influential trading center in the region, with the area of the Sultanate covering the Gorontalo Peninsula to the Tomini Bay (Gorontalo Bay), to the end of Sausu, Parigi Moutong in Tomini-Bocht (Tomini Bay), to several areas in the north and center of Sulawesi island. [2]

The Kingdom of Gorontalo then changed to an Islamic Kingdom during the reign of Amai, who then changed to the title of sultan. Sultan Amai whose title is Ta Olongia Lopo Isilamu ('King who Islamized the country') is Olongia or the first king of the Gorontalo Kingdom who convert to Islam.

Spread of Islam era

Hunto Sultan Amai Mosque in Gorontalo. Masjid Hunto Sultan Amai.jpg
Hunto Sultan Amai Mosque in Gorontalo.

The Gorontalo Sultanate was one of the centers for the spread of Islam in eastern Indonesia, besides the Ternate Sultanate, Gowa Sultanate, and Bone Sultanate. [3] The spread of Islam in Gorontalo is estimated to have begun in the 16th century (between 1501 and 1600), marked by the conversion of one of the kings of Gorontalo, named Amai, to Islam. Amai then changed the title of king to sultan, so that his name was widely remembered as Sultan Amai of Gorontalo.

One of the references to the entry of Islam into Gorontalo comes from the explanation of Ibrahim Polontalo, where the marriage between King (Olongia) Amai and Princess Owutango from the Palasa Kingdom. [4] The Islamic religion adopted by the Palasa (Kumonjolo) Kingdom originates from the blood relationship of the kingdom with the rulers of the Ternate Sultanate. [5] In this marriage, King Amai and his followers were required to convert to Islam and the Al-Qur'an as the main source of the order of life and customs of the Gorontalo people. [6]

After the proposal was accepted, Amai, who later had the title sultan, returned to Gorontalo with his wife, Owutango. They were accompanied by 8 small kings (Olongia Walu Lontho Otolopa), namely kings of Tamalate, Lemboo, Siyendeng, Hulangato, Siduan, Sipayo, Soginti, and Bunuyo. [7] It was these little kings who later helped Sultan Amai in guiding and designing customs that were guided by the Islamic religion.

Ilomata Wopato

In the historical manuscript records of the kingdoms in Gorontalo, There are four eras or golden ages of Gorontalo civilization known as Ilomata Wopato.

Ilomata Wopato literally means four masterpieces (wopato means 'four' and ilomata means 'masterpieces'). During the four rulers, the Gorontalo Kingdom was led by a wise and prudent king, until finally the kingdom turned into a sultanate based on the teachings of the Islamic religion. In that era, governance and social life were regulated in such a way that the people became prosperous and well-off.

Ilomata Wopato is in four eras with a time span around the 14th century during the leadership of King Ilahudu, 15th century under the leadership of Sultan Amai, 17th century under the leadership of Sultan Eato, and 18th century under the leadership of Sultan Botutihe.

Capital of sultanate

The capital of the Gorontalo Sultanate was originally located in Hulawa, present in Telaga district, precisely on the banks of the Bolango River. Then in 1024 Hijra, the capital of the Gorontalo Sultanate was moved to the Tuladenggi. [8] The last capital of the Gorontalo Sultanate located in Biawu. [9]

Government structure

The government structure of the Gorontalo Sultanate consists of three institutions called Buatulo Towulongo which are interpreted as three sets of unified customs. Buatulo Towulongo consists of:

Each representative of Buatulo will be chosen through deliberation and consensus by the Buatulo Bantayo which is headed by a bate. In addition, Buatulo Bantayo is also tasked with creating customary regulations and outlines of the goals of the sultanate.

Territory areas

The Gorontalo Sultanate has sovereign territory that borders the kingdoms of Limboto, Suwawa, and Bolango. But it also controlled several other small kingdoms, such as Kwandang, Boalemo, and Tolinggula, each led by a jogugu.

However, the influence and territory of the Gorontalo Sultanate extended beyond the borders of the kingdoms, even to the waters of Tomini Bay (Gorontalo Bay) to Sausu in Tomini-Bocht. [2]

The current territory of the Gorontalo Sultanate is present within the territory of Gorontalo City, and some others are in the areas of Gorontalo Regency, Pohuwato Regency, and North Gorontalo Regency in Gorontalo Province.

Origins

Photo of Radja Monoarfa van Gorontalo. Portret van Monoarfa, Radja van Gorontalo, KITLV 36A135.tiff
Photo of Radja Monoarfa van Gorontalo.

According to the Gorontalo historical manuscript, the origins of the Gorontalo Kingdom first began from a small kingdom (Linula) called the Hulontalangi, which is estimated to have been standing since 1300s. In R. Tacco's notes (1956), at that time the Hulontalangi was led by King Humalanggi. Later, Humalanggi had a son named Ilahudu who then embraced and united 17 small kingdoms on the slopes or foot of the mountain. [10] These 17 small kingdoms later formed the Gorontalo Kingdom, whose influence became greater and spread to several areas in Tomini Bay (Gorontalo Bay).

Apart from that, the Gorontalo Kingdom has long recognized the position of the female rule or queen as the leader of the kingdom. This shows that since ancient times, the Gorontalo people have recognized equality between men and women in the kingdom.

List of Gorontalo kingdoms

The union of 17 small kingdoms (Linula) which became the forerunner to the formation of the Gorontalo Kingdom is as follows:

  1. Hunginaa Kingdom, led by King Lihawa
  2. Lupoyo Kingdom, led by King Pai
  3. Bilinggata Kingdom, led by King Lou
  4. Wuwabu Kingdom, led by King Wahumolongo
  5. Biawu Kingdom, led by King Wolango Huladu
  6. Padengo Kingdom, led by King Palanggo
  7. Huwangobotu Olowala Kingdom, led by King Dawanggi
  8. Tapa Kingdom, led by King Deyilohiyo Daa
  9. Lauwonu Kingdom, led by Queen Bongohulawa
  10. Toto Kingdom, led by Queen Tilopalani
  11. Dumati Kingdom, led by King Buata
  12. Ilotidea Kingdom, led by King Tamau
  13. Pantungo Kingdom, led by King Ngobuto
  14. Panggulo Kingdom, led by King Hungiyelo
  15. Huangobotu Oloyihi Kingdom, led by King Lealini
  16. Tamboo Kingdom, led by Queen Dayilombuto
  17. Hulontalangi Kingdom, led by King Ilahudu

Naming and etymology

The last Sultan of Gorontalo, Ti Tulutani Zainal Abidin Monoarfa (sitting on the left). COLLECTIE TROPENMUSEUM Portret van de raja assistent-resident en hoofden Gorontalo Sulawesi TMnr 10020859.jpg
The last Sultan of Gorontalo, Ti Tulutani Zainal Abidin Monoarfa (sitting on the left).

In the Dutch colonial era, the Gorontalo Sultanate itself had many names mentioned in various historical literature, included in the correspondence between the Dutch and the Sultans of Gorontalo at that time. Other names for the Gorontalo Kingdom that have been found in various scientific reference sources and print media since the 1800s, include Goenong-Talo, [11] Goenong-Tello, [12] and Holontalo. [13]

In historical records, the origin of the name Gorontalo itself has many versions. However, the origin of the name Gorontalo which is most in accordance with historical facts is that it comes from the words Huidu Totolu 'three mountains', which was then absorbed by various colonial era literature as Goenong-Talo or Goenong-Tello. This historical explanation was clearly stated by Jusuf Sjarif Badudu in the book Morfologi Bahasa Gorontalo in 1982. [14]

In his book, Badudu explains that the Three Mountains which are the origin of the name Gorontalo refer to Mount Tilonggabila (Tilongkabila), Mount Malenggalila, and a third unnamed mountain. These three mountains are what in the Gorontalo language are called Huidu Totolu which was later absorbed into Hulonthalo or Goenong-Talo, until finally it became known as Gorontalo as it is today.

List of rulers

The leadership of the Gorontalo Sultanate is divided into three phases, the initial phase is the early kingdom, the second phase is Olongia To Tilayo, and the final phase is Olongia To Huliyaliyo, which marks the end of Gorontalo sovereignty.

Early kingdom
No.OlongiaYears
1Ilahudu1385–1427
2Uloli1427–1450
3Walango1450–1481
4Polamolo1481–1490
5Ntihedu1490–1503
6Detu1503–1523
Olongia To Tilayo
No.Olongia or TulutaniYears
1Amai1523–1550
2Matolodula Kiki1550–1585
3Pongoliwa Daa1585–1615
4Moliye1615–1646
5Eato (Eyato)1646–1674
6Polamolo II Tomito1674–1686
7Lepehulawa1686–1735
8Nuwa1735–1764
9Walango1767–1798
10Bia (Bea or Biya)1798–1809
11Tapu1809
12Haidari1809–1828
13Walangadi1828–1835
14Wadipalapa1836–1847
15Panjuroro1847–1851
Olongia to Huliyaliyo
No.Olongia or TulutaniYears
1Podungge1530–1560
2Tuliabu1560–1578
3Wulutileni1578–1611
4Mboheleo1611–1632
5Bumulo1632–1647
6Tiduhula1647–1677
7Bia1677–1703
8Walangadi1703–1718
9Piola1718–1737
10Botutihe1737–1757
11Iskandar Monoarfa1757–1777
12Unonongo1780–1782
13Pongoliwu Mbuinga Daa1782–1795
14Mbuinga Kiki Monoarfa1795–1818
15Mohammad Iskandar Pui Monoarfa1818–1829
16Lihawa Monoarfa1829–1830
17Abdul Babiyonggo1830–1831
18Bumulo1831–1836
19Hasan Pui Monoarfa1836–1851
20Abdullah (Mbuinga) Pui Monoarfa1851–1859
21Zainal Abidin Monoarfa1859–1878

See also

References

  1. Juwono, H. and Hutagalung, Y. (2005),. Limo Lo Pohalaa: Sejarah Kerajaan Gorontalo. Jakarta: Penerbit Ombak.
  2. 1 2 Reinwardt, C.G.C. (1858). Reis naar het oostelijk gedeelte van den Indischen Archipel in het jaar 1821. Uit zijne nagelaten aanteekeningen opgestelt met een levensberigt en bijlagen vermeerderd door WH de Vriese. Muller.
  3. Maili, M.; Suryani, W. (2018). Jaringan Islamisasi Gorontalo: Fenomena Keagamaan dan Perkembangan Islam di Gorontalo. Al-Ulum, 18, 435–458.
  4. Polontalo, Ibrahim (1968). Peranan Tidi Lopolopalo Gorontalo dalam Pembinaan Kepribadian Suku Gorontalo. Manado: FKPS-IKIP.
  5. Tacco, Richard (1935). Het Volk Van Gorontalo: Historich Traditioneel Maatschappelijk Cultural Sociaal Karakteristiek…, pp. 26.
  6. Amin, B. (2012). "Islam, Budaya dan Lokalitas Gorontalo". Jurnal Sejarah dan Budaya (KURE). Manado: Balai Pelestarian Nilai Budaya Manado.
  7. Amin, B. (2017). "Lokalitas Islam Gorontalo". Suyatno Ladiqi, Ismail Suardi Wekke, Cahyo Seftyono, 1.
  8. "Salinan arsip". Archived from the original on 2019-11-12. Retrieved 2019-11-12.
  9. "Sejarah Gorontalo". kebudayaan.kemdikbud.go.id (in Indonesian). Ministry of Education and Culture.
  10. Sirajuddin, S. (2018). Peran para Sultan dalam Penyebaran Islam di Gorontalo. Al-Qalam, 14(1), 57–74.
  11. Noorduyn, Jacobus (1843). Aardrijkskundig Woordenboek der Nederlanden: E–G. Vol. 4.
  12. Zoological Society of London (1874). Transactions of the Zoological Society of London. Vol. 8.
  13. Gerard, Johan; Riedel, Friedrich (1870). De Landschappen Holontalo, Limoeto, Bone, Boalemo, en Kattinggola of Andagile, Geographische, Statistische, Historische en Ethnographische Aanteekeningen.
  14. Badudu, J.S. (1982). Morfologi Bahasa Gorontalo. Penerbit Djambatan.

Further reading