West Papua is well-known not only for its stunning landscape, but also for its historical heritage, including Sailolof kingdom. The kingdom is one of the nine Islamic kingdoms in Papua.
Here are 4 facts about Sailolof kingdoms
1. Descendants of the Moi Tribe
First fact is Fun Mo, a member of the Moi tribe, established this kingdom. The Moi tribe is an indigenous tribe that lives in the districts of Sorong and Raja Ampat.
Moi or Mosana means “gentle and friendly person,” which describes the people on the Salawati island facing the Bird’s Head promontory.
The founder’s descendants are known as Mayalibit today. Ahmad Mayalibit, one of the descendants, serves as a traditional leader in the island province of Raja Ampat.
2. Extensive Land Area
The center of the Sailolof kingdom is in Sailolog Village, South Salawati. Regardless, Sailolof’s dominion is quite vast as one of four kingdoms in the Raja Ampat archipelago.
Raja Ampat preserves the natural beauty and a vast history of Islamic kingdoms in Papua. The kingdom reigned includes the territory in the Bird’s Head, Salawati island, and the surrounding islands.
First, in the Bird’s Head area, the kingdom’s territory extended from the island of Katimin, along the Sele Strait, through the Seget area to Gisim, the Kalabra area.
While in the Salawati area, the Sailolof’s territory covered the southern area of the Walyam village and the south of the Kalwal village. In addition, it also had jurisdiction over the islands, which included the Meoskapal and Kofiau groups and the western portion of Batanta.
Currently, the Southern Sorong District, Berau District, and parts of the Midol District are areas that were once the territory of the Sailolof Kingdom.
3. Power with a Decentralized System
Central Government
Fun Kalana: Typical Sailolof royalty title. The term “fun” carries the meaning “lord,” “glorified,” or “exalted.” Several court employees, including Sawoi (the king’s retainer), Kapitin (the head of logistics), and Punta (special assistant in communications), helped Kalana with his duties.
Rat Adat: in the modern era, its function is more or less the same as the parliament. An institution that had the competence to determine and supervise the execution of the court’s policies, set regulations, direct Kolano, and deal with religious concerns. The institution is chaired by Kolano and is made up of the following royal officers:
- Jojou: is in charge of carrying out royal policies with the help of the palace.
- Ukum: royal officer in charge of regulatory affairs
- Dumlaha: arranging traditional customary celebrations.
- Mirino: the royal officer to collect taxes.
- Sudasmoro: the royal officer to modify certain special obligations concerning supernatural matters
Local Government
The head of the local government is Marinpnu as the village head, and Ulison is the clan head.
Since the 16th century, the kingdom of Sailolof has been subject to the authority of the kingdom of Bacan. Bacan Kingdom itself is a kingdom in North Maluku.
4. Historical Mosque
The Baiturrahman Great Mosque / Kaimana Mosque is one piece of evidence of the Sailolof kingdom’s existence. It is close from Kaimana’s major port. Visitors to Kaimana regularly stop to take photographs of the mosque because of its striking appearance.
As an illustration, the mosque structure comprises eight golden pillars surrounding a matching-colored main dome. Its exterior is predominantly white. The view from the mosque is of the sea and the residents’ homes. The mosque has been renovated several times and remains in good condition.
Above all, with the existence of a Soilolof kingdom and three other Islamic kingdoms on the island of Raja Ampat, Papua, we may conclude that inter-religious tolerance remains very high in the Papua region.