Lapandewa Fortress

Traces of Civilization on the Hill: History and Existence of Lapandewa Fortress

Lapandewa Fortress stands strong as a symbol of the resilience of the South Buton people in the past. Located in Lapandewa Village, Lapandewa District, South Buton Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, this site is not just a pile of coral rocks, but a manifestation of the architectural intelligence of Nusantara's defense, born from the need to protect regional sovereignty and the safety of its citizens from external threats.

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Origins and Construction Period

Historically, Lapandewa Fortress is closely linked to the defense system of the Buton Sultanate. Although the exact construction date is difficult to ascertain due to a lack of contemporary written records, local elders and historians believe that the fortress began to be built gradually since the reign of the 4th Sultan of Buton, Dayanu Ikhsanuddin (early 17th century), and continued to be strengthened until the time of Sultan Himayatuddin Muhammad Saidi (Oputa Yi Koo) in the 18th century.

The name "Lapandewa" itself originates from the local language, referring to the geographical and spiritual conditions of the area. The construction of this fortress was triggered by the strategic position of South Buton as a shipping lane vulnerable to pirate attacks (Tobelo) as well as the expansion efforts of Western colonial powers and neighboring kingdoms vying for control over the spice routes.

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Architectural Characteristics and Construction Techniques

Lapandewa Fortress possesses unique architecture that distinguishes it from European colonial fortresses which use concrete or red bricks. This fortress was built using local materials in the form of coral rocks (mountain stones) arranged using the dry stone technique (stacking and filling).

1. Wall Structure: The fortress walls have a thickness varying between 1 to 2 meters with a height of up to 2 to 4 meters, depending on the land contour. These coral stones are interlocked without the use of modern cement. As a binder, the traditional Buton people used a mixture of lime, egg whites, and liquid from certain tree bark, which allowed the structure to remain flexible yet very strong against earthquake tremors and cannon impacts.

2. Layout and Spatial Arrangement: The fortress follows the topography of the hilltop, creating an asymmetrical yet militarily strategic shape. Within the fortress complex, there is a clear division of zones: ancient settlement areas, places of worship, and a field where warriors gathered.

3. Bastions and Observation Posts: There are several points that function as bastions or protruding observation towers, allowing guards to see enemy movements from the Banda Sea or from the southern land side.

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Historical Significance and Important Events

Lapandewa Fortress served as a frontline defense center (buffer zone) for the central government of the Buton Sultanate in Wolio. Its primary significance lies in its role as a place of refuge for village residents (parabela) during sudden attacks.

One important event recorded in the collective memory of the community is the resistance against pirates from the northern and eastern regions. This fortress bears silent witness to how traditional communication systems were operated—using smoke or sounds from seashells (bia) to signal danger to neighboring fortresses like Benteng Lande and Benteng Kaisabu.

Furthermore, during the struggle against the Dutch, the Lapandewa region became a guerrilla base for supporters of Sultan Himayatuddin. The forests and hilly topography around the fortress provided natural protection that was difficult for colonial troops, unfamiliar with the coral mountain terrain, to penetrate.

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Figures and Traditional Structure

The existence of Lapandewa Fortress is inseparable from the role of the Parabela (traditional leader) of Lapandewa. Within the structure of the Buton Sultanate, Lapandewa was part of the Kadie region (an autonomous area equivalent to a village/district in the sultanate system). These local figures were responsible for the maintenance of the fortress and the mobilization of people during wartime.

Spiritual connections were also very strong, with the fortress considered a sacred place guarded by ancestors. Before going to battle, soldiers often performed prayer rituals within the fortress area to seek safety and strength.

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Cultural and Religious Functions

To this day, Lapandewa Fortress still plays an important role in the socio-cultural life of the South Buton community. This site is a center for traditional rituals such as Bia-bia or thanksgiving ceremonies after harvest. Within the fortress complex, there are ancient graves of ancestors and religious leaders who spread Islam in the region.

The presence of an old mosque or remnants of a place of worship within the fortress proves that this structure also functioned as a center for spreading Islamic values. Islam was not just a religion, but an ideological unifier for the Lapandewa community in resisting colonial oppression.

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Conservation Status and Restoration Efforts

Currently, Lapandewa Fortress is registered as a Cultural Heritage Site under the supervision of the Cultural Preservation Center (BPK) for Southeast Sulawesi. Although parts of the wall structure have been overgrown with wild vegetation and have undergone natural weathering, their original form is still well preserved.

The South Buton Regency government has undertaken several limited restoration efforts, particularly on the gate (Lawa) and strengthening walls that are prone to collapse. The main challenge in preserving this fortress is its elevated location, making the mobilization of materials for conservation require extra cost and effort. Local communities are also actively involved through tourism awareness groups (Pokdarwis) to maintain the cleanliness and security of the site from vandalism.

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Unique Fact: Ancient Drainage System

One unique fact about Lapandewa Fortress is its ancient drainage system. Despite being located on a dry coral hilltop, the fortress builders had devised a way to prevent rainwater from pooling and damaging the fortress foundations. There are small gaps at the base of the walls designed to channel water towards the cliffs, a testament to the sophisticated civil engineering of the local community at that time.

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Conclusion

Lapandewa Fortress is a silent monument that tells of the glory, courage, and intellectual intelligence of the South Buton people. As part of the defense network of the Buton Sultanate, which was once one of the largest maritime powers in the Nusantara, this fortress deserves more attention, both from an archaeological research perspective and for historical tourism development. Through the preservation of Lapandewa Fortress, future generations can learn that the peace they enjoy today is the fruit of the resilience of the coral walls and the unyielding spirit of the ancestors on Lapandewa hill.