King Lodoweyk Lourens Don Louis Banunaek, the Last Ruler of Amanatun Kingdom

A. History and Origins

Amanatun Kingdom was one of the oldest civilizations that had existed in Indonesia. It was precisely located in Timor Tengah Selatan, which is now called East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. During the occupation of the Dutch colonials, the area of Timor Tengah Selatan was called Zuid Midden Timor. In this place, there were two other kingdoms known as Belu and Mollo kingdoms. Those three kingdoms were related each other as their founding fathers were from the same lineage.

Long time ago, there was a fellowship consisting of three noblemen named Tei Liu Lai, Kaes Sonbai, and Tnai Pah Banunaek. They agreed to wander across the sea with aim at reaching the island of Timor. Shortly, they arrived at the destination, and initiated to develop the island into a prosperous land. They divided the island into three main areas where each would be ruled by a king. As the result, they established Belu Kingdom with Tei Liu Lai as the king, Mollo Kingdom with King Kaes Sonbai, and Amanatun Kingdom with King Tnai Pah.

King Loit Banunaek and the Royal Officials of Amanatun Kingdom dated in 1839 A.D.

The word “amanatun” is derived from two words; “ama” that means father, and “mnatu” means gold. The name was deliberately chosen by the kingdom‘s founding father, Tnai Pah. He was interested in collecting golden jewellery and a number of clothes beautified with golden.

According to the note of Banunaek (2007: 3), Amanatun Kingdom located at the southernmost of Timor Island. The kingdom was centered, he added, in the city of Nunkolo. Its territory encompassed the area called Anas, covering Noebone and Noebanu. The Anas region, based on the Gouvernement Besluit (Dutch Royal Decree) Number 2, Year 1913, was then united into Timor Tengah Selatan, under the territory of Amanatun Kingdom.

The history of Timor Island alone has been dated since the year 1350 A.D. based on the Chinese note of Dao Zhi of originally from Tiongkok. The note reveals that the island of Timor had some busy trading ports; one of them was Batumiao-Batumean Fatemean Tun Am, or shortly called Tun Am port. The port was the centre for trade-and-sell activities involving those traders from Makassar, Malacca, Java, China, India, or Arab countries. Some European traders from Portugal, Spain, England, and Netherlands were also there to have economic links with traders from around the world.

The Portuguese first arrived on the island of Timor on January 22^nd, 1522 A.D. The Portuguese, under the command of Magalhaens Pigafenta, came to the southern coast of Timor Island following the ruin of Malacca Sultanate to the Portuguese colonials in 1511 A.D.

The second stage of European arrival on the island of Timor was on 1669 A.D. when the king of Amanatun Kingdom established cooperative networks with Veereniging Oost Compagnie (VOC). For note, VOC was the royal trading department of the Dutch colonials at that time.

The next stage of the European arrival on the island of Timor was dated on the year 1641 A.D. At this stage, the Europeans did not solely aim at expanding the economic links, but also to proselytism the Christianity and of course, to seek for the new land. Two historical notes of Portugis Summaria Relacam do Que Obrerao os Relegiozas and Ordem dos Pregadores support the above assessment; that the European were no longer focusing on economy, but on evangelism and colonialism. Likewise, the books also reveal the story about the coming of Portuguese Christian missionaries to Amanatun Kingdom via Flores Sea (Wikipedia.org).

A Portuguese Christian missionary Frey Lucas da Cruz headed the programme to Christianize the royal family of Amanatun Kingdom. The endeavour worked done very well. All the royal family members of Amanatun Kingdom then embraced Christianity. The success, in addition, was a return to Portuguese troops over the held they offered to Amanatun Kingdom that was under the threat of Gowa-Tallo Islamic Kingdom.

On November 11^th, 2009, a war known as Penfui War between the Dutch and Portuguese colonials broke up. Both competed to possess the island of Timor. Amanatun Kingdom backed the Portuguese colonials as the kingdom felt gratitude over the help of Portuguese. Likewise, the kingdom strongly disagreed with the Dutch‘s plan to divide Timor Islands. No matter what, Timor Island finally fell to the Dutch following the lost of Portuguese at the war of Penfui.

However, under the authoritative government of the Dutch colonials, Amanatun Kingdom was allowed to continue the royal administrative. A VOC documentary report compiled by Arnoldus van Este in 1758 states that the king of Amantun was a big ruler of the time. The king, who was known as Don Louis Nay Konnef of Amanatun, ruled almost all the island of Timor. Another great ruler of Timor Island during the occupation of the Dutch colonials was King Bab‘I Banu Naek.

In the beginning of the 20^th century, there were some efforts to unite the kingdoms on Timor Island. In 1920 A.D., the city of Soe was declared as the capital of Zuid Midden Timor. The declaration came after an agreement from three kings ruling the kingdoms on Timor Island. The kings were King Lay Akun Oematan of Molo Kingdom, King Pae Nope of Amanuban Kingdom, and King Kolo Banunaek of Amanatun Kingdom.

King Kolo Banunaek

In some occasions, Amanatun Kingdom got its glory under the Dutch colonial government. However, for several times the kingdom made rebellion against the Dutch occupation. Under the command of King Muti Banunaek II (1900-1915 A.D.), there was a movement to fight against the Dutch colonials. Unfortunately, the king was arrested and banished to Ende, on Flores Island in 1915 A.D. The king passed away at the banishment in 1918 A.D., three years after being expelled from the palace of Amanatun Kingdom.

Since of August 17^th, 1945, Indonesia reached its independence from the Dutch colonials. Amanatun and Molo kingdoms united to establish a district called Timor Tengah Selatan with Soe City as the capital.

B. Territories

As of August 1945, timed precisely with the Indonesian Independence Day, there was no rising border tension between the three kingdoms ruling the island of Timor. King Tei Liu Lai of Belu Kingdom, King Kaes Sonbai of Molo Kingdom, and Tnai Pah Banunaek of Amanatun Kingdom had agreed not to breach the territorial borders of each kingdom. They swore on behalf of their family that they would attentively keep and guard the chain of family amongst them. In case there were changes in the territorial borders of the three kingdoms, the three rulers would conduct a meeting or peaceful ways, no longer through harmful ways.

The territories of Amanatun Kingdom encompassed Maubesi (north) – directly bordered to Molo Kingdom‘s territories, Maubesi Betun (south) – directly faces to the sea, Mutis in the border of the Noemina River and Southern Sea, and in the east, the territories of Amanatun Kingdom is directly bordered to the territories of Belu Kingdom. Following the Independence Day of Indonesia, some territories of those kingdoms were united into one district called Timor Tengah Selatan District.

C. Lineage

Here are the names of rulers crowning the Kingdom of Amanatun:

1. King Tnai Pah Banunaek
2. King Tsu Pah Banunaek
3. King Nopu Banunaek
4. King Bnao Banunaek I
5. King Nifu Banunaek
6. King Kili Banunaek
7. King Bnao Banunaek II
8. King Nono Luan Banunaek
9. King Bnao Banunaek III
10. King Bnao Banunaek IV
11. King Bab‘I Banunaek
12. King Bnao Banunaek V, or known as King Bano Nunkolo (1766 A.D.)
13. King Kusat Muti, or known as King Muti Banunaek I (1832 A.D.)
14. King Loit Banunaek (1899 A.D.)
15. King Muti Banunaek II (1900-1915 A.D.)
16. King Kusa Banunaek (1916-1919 A.D.)
17. King Kolo Banunaek, or King Abraham Zacharias Banunaek (1920-1946 A.D.)
18. King Lodoweyk Don Louis Banunaek, or King Laka Banunaek (1946-1965 A.D.)

King Laka Banunaek

The last ruler of Amantun Kingdom was King Lodoweyk Lourens Don Louis Banunaek (King Laka Banunaek). Following the declaration of Indonesia Independence day in August 1945, Amanatun Kingdom was no longer a full kingdom with monarch government. Amantun Kingdom and its territories then were integrated into the Republic of Indonesia. Though not in full monarch government, the descendants of Amanatun kings are still regarded the leader by the local inhabitants of Timor Tengah Selatan District, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. The successor of King Laka Banunaek is now King Gustaf Banunaek, or known as King Gia Banunaeuk.

D. Socio-cultural Life

The territories of Amanatun Kingdom is densely populated by several ethnic tribes. It is noted that about 12.000 people settle in the territories of Amanatun Kingdom. The number of population above consists of some ethnic tribes like Missa, Tkesnai, Amafnya, and Nai Usu ethnic tribes. Amongst those ethnic tribes, the most dominant ethnic tribe is Missa ethnic tribe (WacanaNusantara.org).

The local inhabitants of Timor Island mostly earn their living from farming and trading. They cultivate corn and plant sandalwood. They also have wax production to be sold. They barter the wax into gold; while the quality of sandalwood typically Timor Island is also promising better economic welfare. Indeed, the Timor sandalwood production has become popular worldly. Likewise, the arrival of European traders is also because they realize the worth of Timor sandalwood.

Back to the past, the European traders discovered Timor Island as the central production of sandalwood. According to the Chinese note, on an Island called Tiwu (Timor), worthwhile quality of sandalwood is abundant. The note also tells that the sandalwood used to be the tribute to the reigning rulers of the time (IreYogya.org).

The first European trader coming to the island of Timor was the Portuguese traders. They arrived on the island via Oekusi (Lifau) and Dili (Timor Leste) ports. At first, the trading transaction between the Portuguese traders with the local inhabitants was conducted through barter system. As the time went by, the Portuguese traders then introduced the new trading system using silver coin that was called ringgit panasmat. Amongst the local inhabitants of Timor Tengah Selatan, the ringgit panasmat coins are still presence, even though the coin cannot be used in transaction. The word “panasmat” alone is derived from the Spanish language.

E. Governmental System

As long as the Kingdom of Amanatun existed, there was no certain governmental system within. There were some changes that were suited to the recent political situation happened. During that time, the governmental system of Amanatun Kingdom used to be influenced by the political interests of the Portuguese, Dutch and Japanese colonials.

King Kusa Banunaek

Amidst the uncertainty of governmental system within the Kingdom of Amanatun, as the consequence of political interests from the colonial government, the kingdom once ran neatly structural organization and good system of regional development. The kingdom once possessed governmental system wherein a king was the highest authority, assisted by some royal officials. The lowest structural chart of organization was fettor (village leaders).

A fettor was responsible for ruling and managing the harmonious social living at some sub-villages, or locally called anna and kolo manu. There were four fettors consisting of Nokas – who was in charged in managing Noebana Village, Kobi Nitibani – in Noebone Village, Fai – in Noemanumuti Village, and Nenometa – in Noebokong Village. The fettors alone had one leader locally known as temukung who was appointed directly by the king of Amanatun Kingdom.

In the further progress, Amanatun Kingdom fell to Dutch colonials. The condition then forced the kingdom willy-nilly to adjust its governmental system to meet the Dutch‘s interest. Another aftermath was that of limited authority of the king of Amanatun Kingdom. In the other words, the kingdom was then under full control of the Dutch colonials.

The Rulers on Timor Island along with the Representative of the Dutch Colonial Government

There were some political contracts between the Dutch colonials and the Kingdom of Amanatun, actually. However, the contracts used to be issued based on the Dutch‘s interest in expanding its “new land” on Timor Island. Consequently, Amanatun Kingdom could not gain any benefit from the cooperation. The political contracts between the Dutch colonials and the Kingdom of Amanatun are listed below:

• Korte Veklaring of July 27^th, 1908. The contract was signed by King Muti Banunaek on April 14^th, 1909
• Korte Veklaring of August 22^nd, 1910. The contract was signed by King Muti Banunaek on June 14^th, 1913
• Korte Veklaring of September 30^th, 1916. The contract was signed by King Kusa Banunaek on October 23^rd, 1917
• Korte Veklaring of April 27^th, 1921. The contract was signed by King Kolo Banunaek on February 21^st, 1923.

As of March 8^th, 1942, the Dutch colonials surrendered to the Japanese colonials. All the Dutch‘s occupation in Indonesia was took over by the Japanese as well. Timor Island and other provinces in the eastern Indonesia were under control of Kaigun, centered in Makassar. The island of Java and other regions in western Indonesia were on the hand of Minseifu Cokan, centered in Singaraja.

Three years later, precisely timed on August 17^th, 1945, Indonesia grabbed its independence from the Japanese colonials. In 1951, Amanatun Kingdom, under the power of King Laka Banunaek, agreed to be a part of the Republic of Indonesia. The integration of Amanatun Kingdom into the Republic of Indonesia then resulted in the movement of Amanatun central administration to the city of Oinlasi, now South Amanatun Sub-district.

Though administratively under the Republic of Indonesia, Amantun Kingdom remains to have distinctive governance. South Amanatun Sub-district is a swapraja, a sub-district wherein the mayor is taken from the descendant of Amantun rulers. Hence, the first mayor of South Amantun Sub-district was King Laka Banunaek, the last ruler of Amantun Kingdom. In case the mayor passes away amidst his/her term, the successor should be chosen from the noble descent of the royal Amantun rulers.

King Laka Banunaek and His People at the Time When Amantun Kingdom was no Longer a Royal Monarch Government

In the further progress, the rulers of Amanatun Kingdom and the other kingdoms took part actively in the establishment of East Nusa Tenggara Province, formerly under the province of Small Sunda. East Nusa Ternggara Province was established upon the Regulation Number 69 Year 1958. East Nusa Tenggara Province now consists of 12 districts.

F. Religion and Belief

Long before Christianity came to the island of Timor, and mostly in eastern Indonesia, the local people of Timor Island were adhere devotees of ancient belief. They believed in Uis Neno (God of Heavens), the highest deity and the creator of the universe. They did accomplish some rites dedicated to Uis Neno in aims to asking rain, prosperity and healthy life (AnakGunungLakaan.Blogspot.com). The Timor Island people also believed in Uis Fah (God of Earth). They wish over Uis Fah in aims of being bestowed with fertile farming lands and abundant harvest.

Funeral Ceremony of Typically the Amanatun People

They also believed in the existence of ghost and evil spirit occupying the rivers, springs, forest, and big sacred trees. The evil spirit, amongst the Timor Island people, is the materialization of deceased people‘s spirit. The Timor Island people believed that the onset of every single calamity at their village is from the evil spirit.

As Christianity have immersed deeply in the hearts of Timor Island people, the ancient belief in Uis Neno, Uis Fah, and deceased people‘s do not decrease significantly amongst them. For such a fact, the mixture of Christian teachings and the local belief result in unique belief typically of Timor Island. At Sunday, they go to the church for the Sunday praying, but in case a calamity occurs at their village, they hold adat rites dedicated to the supreme deities of Uis Neno and Uis Fah.

Iswara NR (kr/1/05-09)

Translated by Irfan Nugroho (ter/126/06-09)

References:

• -------, “Kebudayaan Timor”, available online on http://www.anakgununglakaan.blogspot.com, retrieved on May 18^th, 2009
• -------, “Kerajaan Amanatun”, available online on http://www.wacananusantara.com, retrieved on May 18^th, 2009
• -------, “Kerajaan Amanatun”, available online on http://www.wikipedia.com, retrieved on May 18^th, 2009
• -------, “Provinsi Nusa Tenggara Timur”, available online on http://www.docstoc.com, retrieved on May 20^th, 2009
• Don Yesriel Yohan Kusa Banunaek, Raja-raja Amanatun yang Berkuasa, Yogyakarta: Pustaka Pelajar, 2007.
• Mefi Hermawati dan Poppy S. Winanti, “Timor dalam Perspektif Sejarah”, available online on http://www.ireyogya.org, retrieved on May 20^th, 2009.

Photos:

• Don Yesriel Yohan Kusa Banunaek, Raja-raja Amanatun yang Berkuasa, Yogyakarta: Pustaka Pelajar, 2007.

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