Kabaena Palace Fort

Exploring the Traces of Civilization at Kabaena Palace Fort: A Defense Fort Based on Local Wisdom

Kabaena Island, administratively under Bombana Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, holds a masterpiece of traditional military architecture known as the Kabaena Palace Fort. This historical site is not merely a pile of dead stones, but a silent witness to the glory of a local governance structure called "Mokole" and its complex relationship with the Buton Sultanate. Situated on hilltops in West Kabaena, this fort reflects the ingenuity of ancestors in utilizing natural topography for defense.

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Origin and Period of Establishment

The Kabaena Palace Fort was built during the golden age of the local governance system on Kabaena Island, which is estimated to have flourished between the 16th and 18th centuries. Historically, Kabaena was part of the Buton Sultanate's territory but possessed distinct autonomy under the leadership of a ruler titled Mokole.

The construction of this fort was driven by an urgent need for security against external threats. At that time, the waters around Southeast Sulawesi were vulnerable to pirate attacks (Tobelo and Sulu) as well as the expansion of Western colonial powers. The fort's location on high ground, particularly around Tangkeno (now known as "City in the Clouds"), was chosen to provide a strategic vantage point for monitoring ship movements on the open sea.

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Unique Architecture and Construction Techniques

One of the most prominent aspects of the Kabaena Palace Fort is its construction technique. Unlike colonial forts that use cement or chemical adhesives, this fort was built using the stacked mountain stone (coral stone) method without any adhesive material at all.

1. Wall Structure: The fort walls have a varying thickness between 1 to 2 meters with a height of up to 2 to 3 meters. The stones are precisely stacked, relying on the law of gravity and interlocking, a technique that demonstrates a deep understanding of soil and rock mechanics.

2. Gateways (Lawa): Similar to the Buton Palace Fort, the Kabaena Fort has several gateways called Lawa. Each gate has philosophical meaning and was strictly guarded by chosen soldiers.

3. Topography: The fort was built following the contours of the hilly terrain. This makes the fort's shape asymmetrical, rather than organic, following the natural curves of the cliffs which were already difficult for enemies to climb.

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Historical Significance and Important Events

The Kabaena Palace Fort served as the center of government as well as the last refuge for the community during attacks. Within the fort complex, there were areas formerly used as residences for the Mokole family, armories, and food storage facilities.

The historical significance of this fort is also related to the resistance against Dutch colonialism. In the early 20th century, when the Dutch attempted to strengthen their grip on power in the Southeast Sulawesi region (including through tax policies or belasting), the forts in Kabaena became guerrilla bases for local fighters. Kabaena never fully submitted administratively to the Dutch until a much later period compared to other regions in the archipelago.

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Figures and Governance Structure

The existence of this fort is inseparable from the role of the Mokole of Kabaena. In the traditional structure, the Mokole was assisted by a council of elders consisting of Bonto, Kapitan, and Lakina. The fort was the place where important decisions were made, including the inauguration ceremonies of traditional leaders and ceremonial welcomes for honored guests.

The diplomatic relationship between the Mokole of Kabaena and the Sultan of Buton is also an important record. Although Kabaena acknowledged the sovereignty of the Sultan of Buton, they possessed strong internal sovereignty in managing their own regional defense, which was centered in this fort.

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Cultural and Religious Dimensions

For the Kabaena people (Tokotua), the Palace Fort is not just a military site, but a sacred site. Around the fort area, ancient graves of ancestors and past rulers are often found. The presence of these graves gives a religious-magical dimension to the site.

Culturally, this fort is a symbol of Kabaena identity. The value of Gotong Royong (mutual cooperation) is strongly reflected in how the people of the past worked together to transport large stones from the valley to the hilltop to build the fort walls. To this day, the area around the fort is often used for traditional rituals as a form of respect to the ancestral spirits who have guarded the land of Kabaena.

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Preservation Status and Restoration Efforts

Currently, the Kabaena Palace Fort is largely in the form of stone wall ruins covered by forest vegetation. Although some parts have been damaged by natural factors and tree root growth, the basic structure is still clearly visible and sturdy.

Preservation efforts have begun to be promoted by the Bombana Regency Government and the Southeast Sulawesi Cultural Preservation Center (BPK). Steps taken include:

• Data Collection and Inventory: Conducting coordinate mapping and documentation of remaining structures.
• Historical Tourism Development: Integrating the fort into the Tangkeno "City in the Clouds" tour package to raise public awareness.
• Local Education: Encouraging the younger generation of Kabaena to learn oral and written history related to the fort to prevent the loss of historical identity.

However, significant challenges remain, especially the challenging accessibility to the location and the lack of budget for comprehensive physical restoration without damaging the authenticity of the stone material.

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Unique Fact: Layered Defense System

One rarely known fact is that the Kabaena Palace Fort is part of a layered defense system. On Kabaena Island, there were several small fort points interconnected through smoke signals or sounds. The Palace Fort served as the central command (coordination center), while the small forts on the coast functioned as early observation posts.

With all its grandeur and accompanying history, the Kabaena Palace Fort stands as a monument to the resilience of the people of Southeast Sulawesi. It is a reminder that in the past, Kabaena Island was a sovereign, strong entity with a high civilization capable of harmonizing military security needs with the preservation of its surrounding environment.