(from top: left to right) Bua Beach in Luwu, Mata Buntu Waterfall in East Luwu, Masamba Affair Monument in North Luwu, and Luwu Royal Palace in Palopo.
Greater Luwu is a historical region with a long history and rich culture. In the 14th century, this area became the center of the Kingdom of Luwu, one of the oldest and largest monarchies in Sulawesi. This kingdom was known as one of the centers of trade and culture during its time, and established trade and diplomatic relations with other kingdoms in the Indonesian archipelago.
The funeral of Datu We Kambo Daeng Risompa, a King of Luwu, with the Macangnge flag seen being raised.
The Kingdom of Luwu was founded in the 1300s and was one of the most important kingdoms in southern Sulawesi. During its heyday, Luwu was known as a center of civilization that had an organized government system and a strong maritime trade tradition. In addition, Luwu also established diplomatic relations with other large kingdoms, including the Sultanate of Gowa and the Sultanate of Ternate.[7]
The Kingdom of Luwu government had a very wide area of power, so that in general the Luwu territory of power was divided into three parts, each of which is led by a leader known as Ma'dika or Makole, namely Ponrang, Bua, and Baebunta.[8] Even in the 14th century Javanese text Nagarakretagama, the Luwu region is recorded as Luwuk[a] in the text as the vassal state (mañcanagara) of Majapahit.[9]
Independence of Indonesian period
In the period after the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence on 17 August 1945, the Kingdom of Luwu automatically integrated into the newly established Republic of Indonesia. This was marked by the statement of the King (Datu) of Luwu at that time, Andi Djemma, which among other things stated "The Kingdom of Luwu is part of the Unitary Territory of the Republic of Indonesia".[10]
In April 1950, Andi Djemma was re-confirmed as Datu of Luwu with the territory as before. Previously, the Luwu afdeling included five onderafdeling: Palopo, Masamba, Malili, Tana Toraja (Makale), Rantepao, and Kolaka. In 1953 he was appointed Advisor to the Governor of Sulawesi, at that time Sudiro. At that time, Luwu was made an autonomous government (swapraja), and Andi Djemma was appointed as Head of the Luwu Autonomous Government from 1957 to 1960, at the same time marking the end of the decentralized government system.
After the 1990s, there was a lot of pressure for the Greater Luwu region, which was part of South Sulawesi province, to be separated and form its own province with the name "Luwu Raya" (lit.'Greater Luwu'). The province will consist of the historical areas of the former Kingdom of Luwu, including Luwu, East Luwu, North Luwu, and Palopo.[11] Many factors are the cause, economic inequality, historical aspects, and the long distance from the center of South Sulawesi government in Makassar.[12] His aspirations have been echoed since the reformation era in 1998[13] and declared in 2002.[14]
Geography
Greater Luwu is strategically located in the southern part of Sulawesi, facing Bone Gulf to the east, also bordering Central Sulawesi province to the north and Southeast Sulawesi province to the south.[15] Its area covers approximately 17,498.28 km², inhabited by more than 1,200,000 people in three regencies and one city by mid-2023.[16] Its geographical diversity provides broad economic potential, especially in the agricultural sector.[17]
Notes: (a) including one kelurahan – the district admin centre as named in each case. (b) including 4 kelurahan (Balo-Balo, Senga, Tampumia Radda, and Tanamanai). (c) including 2 kelurahan – Pammanu and Sabe. (d) the 2010 population of the new Basse Sangtempe Utara district was included in the 2010 total of Basse Sangtempe district. (e) including 2 kelurahan – Padang Sappa and Padang Subur. (f) including the kelurahan of Bulo.
Notes: (a) including one kelurahan (the district administrative centre). (b) the 2010 population of the new Sabbang Selatan district is included in the figure for Sabbang district. (c) the 2010 population of the new Baebunta Selatan district is included in the figure for Baebunta district. (d) the 2010 population of the new Sukamaju Selatan District is included in the figure for Sukamaju district. (e) the 2010 population of the new Tanalili district is included in the figure for Bone-Bone district. (f) including four kelurahan (named in next line) and 15 desa. (g) except for the desa of Balebo (or Baloli) which has a post code of 92912, and the kelurahan of Kappuna (91913), Bone (92914), Kasimbong (92915), and Baliase (92916).
Notes: (a) except for the kelurahan of Takkalala, which has a post code of 91926. (b) except for the kelurahan of Mawa, which has a post code of 91925. (c) except for the kelurahan of Battang, which has a post code of 91958.
Demographics
The Rampi people, one of the native inhabitants of the Greater Luwu region.
The population of Greater Luwu is ethnically and religiously diverse. There are at least 12 ethnic groups recognized as indigenous people since the time of the Kingdom of Luwu, including the Bugis, Ware, Toala, Toraja, Rongkong, Pamona, Lemolang, Seko, Wotu, Padoe, Bajo (Bajau), and Mengkoka (Mekongga).[19] In general, the indigenous people of Luwu are collectively known as To Luwu (lit.'people of Luwu').[20]
In addition, there are other ethnic groups who are indigenous people such as the Rampi people in North Luwu[21] and the Epe people (Bungku sub-group) in East Luwu.[22] The immigrant ethnic groups in Greater Luwu are mainly the Javanese and the Bugis from other areas in South Sulawesi, but there are also the Batak and people from Flores, especially in East Luwu.[23]
Religiously, the majority of the population of Greater Luwu adheres to Sunni Islam, but there is also a fairly large Christian population (esp. Protestantism) is even larger than any other region in South Sulawesi, except Greater Toraja (Tana Toraja and North Toraja).[24] The population who adhere to ethnic religions are found in the northern mountainous region.[25]
Culture
Greater Luwu is known for its rich and diverse culture in southern Sulawesi. The people in this region consist of various ethnic groups, with the Bugis being the largest. Traditional arts such as dance, music, and handicrafts, such as weaving and carving, are an important part of the cultural identity of Greater Luwu.[26] The Luwu people have a strong sense of identity, even though they are from different ethnic groups, they come from the same historical region, making them know themselves as Wija To Luwu, which means 'descendants of the Luwu people', regardless of their ethnicity.[27]
Economy
The economic sector of Greater Luwu is dominated by agriculture, fisheries, and trade. Agriculture in Greater Luwu is the mainstay of the economy, because the area is mountainous in the north, with fertile soil that produces various superior commodities.[28]
The main commodities in Greater Luwu include:
Cocoa
Coffee
Coconut
Cloves
Shrimp
Seaweed
Nickel
With its abundant natural resources, the Greater Luwu region is a significant contributor to the regional economy of South Sulawesi. One of the largest nickel mines in Indonesia is also located here, in Sorowako (see Sorowako Mine).[29]
↑"Luwu Raya Jadi Kawasan Ekonomi Baru Sulsel". dpmptsp.sulselprov.go.id (in Indonesian). Dinas Penanaman Modal dan Pelayanan Terpadu Satu Pintu Provinsi Sulawesi Selatan (DPM-PTSP Prov. Sulsel). 2019. Retrieved 13 January 2026.
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