Arung Palakka's Tomb

Historical Origins and Construction Period

Arung Palakka was born in Soppeng in 1634 and passed away in 1696. Although he is known as the 15th King of Bone, his tomb is not located in his birthplace but in Bontobiraeng, Somba Opu District, Gowa. The choice of this location is highly symbolic; he was buried in the heart of the central power of the Gowa-Tallo Kingdom, a kingdom that was once his fiercest rival but eventually submitted to his influence after the Makassar War (1666–1669).

This tomb complex was built shortly after the leader's death at the end of the 17th century. Its construction marked the end of Gowa's era of hegemony and the beginning of Bone's dominance in South Sulawesi, supported by the strength of the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC). The presence of this tomb in Gowa also indicates Arung Palakka's position, who was by then recognized as the de facto ruler of the region after he successfully freed the people of Bone and Soppeng from oppression.

Architecture and Construction Details

Architecturally, Makam Arung Palakka exhibits the typical characteristics of the tombs of South Sulawesi kings during the Islamic transition period. The main tomb building uses a punden berundak (terraced mound) style combined with local Islamic architectural influences. The main structure is made of sandstone or mountain stone arranged without modern cement, but rather a mixture of egg whites and lime as a traditional adhesive.

The most prominent feature of this tomb is the design of its gravestones and sarcophagi. Arung Palakka's tomb is housed within a magnificent canopy or protective building. The gravestones are of the "Aceh" or "Bugis-Makassar" type, featuring Arabic calligraphy carvings and delicate floral motifs. The tomb's shape resembles a small palace replica with a tiered roof, reflecting the occupant's social strata as the supreme ruler. Around the main tomb, there are other tombs belonging to close family members and loyal followers, including the tomb of his wife, I Mariam Karaeng Pattingalloang.

Historical Significance and Related Events

This site is closely related to one of the most transformative events in East Indonesian history: the Bongaya Treaty. Arung Palakka was the central figure who led the Bugis people's resistance against the dominance of Sultan Hasanuddin of Gowa. This resistance was triggered by the forced labor practices (maradeka) experienced by the people of Bone and Soppeng in the construction of defense trenches in Makassar.

Arung Palakka's victory, aided by Admiral Cornelis Speelman of the VOC, permanently altered the political map of Sulawesi. This tomb site serves as tangible proof of how one figure could mobilize the masses across kingdom boundaries (Bone, Soppeng, and factions in Wajo) to achieve political independence for his people. For the Wajo community, the connection with Arung Palakka is complex; some factions in Wajo at that time supported Gowa, while others sided with Arung Palakka's struggle for liberation, creating a historical dialectic that enriches local identity.

Figures and Periodization of Power

Arung Palakka ruled during a period known as "Pax Bone," where relative stability was achieved in South Sulawesi under his firm leadership. He was known by the title Petta Malampee Gemme’na, meaning "Lord with Long Hair," referring to his oath not to cut his hair until he succeeded in freeing his people from Gowa's subjugation.

Besides Arung Palakka, the complex also contains the tomb of Arung Tibojong, a loyal warrior commander. The presence of these figures in one complex emphasizes the strong military and political hierarchical structure of that era. This period also marked a strong cultural syncretism, where Bugis customary law (Pangngadereng) began to be formally integrated with Islamic teachings under the auspices of Bone's power.

Preservation and Restoration

As a Cultural Heritage Site, Makam Arung Palakka is under the protection of the Cultural Preservation Center (BPK) Region XIX. Restoration efforts have been carried out several times to maintain the integrity of the sandstone, which is vulnerable to weathering from the tropical climate and moss growth. The local government has also improved facilities around the site, such as access roads and information centers, to support historical tourism activities.

Although it has undergone several renovations to the fence and outer canopy, the original structure of the tomb has been preserved to maintain its authenticity. The main preservation challenge today is to balance the site's function as a sacred pilgrimage site with its role as an educational tourist object for younger generations.

Cultural and Religious Importance

For the people of South Sulawesi, Makam Arung Palakka is more than just an archaeological relic. This site is considered a sacred place (saukang) by some communities. Many pilgrims come from various regions, including Wajo and Bone Regencies, to perform prayer rituals and pay their respects.

Culturally, this tomb is a symbol of courage (mabbulo sipeppa) and steadfastness of promise. The values of Siri' na Pesse (self-esteem and empathy) are strongly felt when exploring the life story of the figure buried here. For the people of Wajo, the existence of this tomb serves as a reminder of the importance of unity among the Bugis-Makassar kingdoms and the complexities of diplomacy in the past.

Unique Historical Facts

One unique fact that is rarely known is that although Arung Palakka collaborated with the Dutch (VOC), he maintained his customary sovereignty and often disagreed with Dutch officials if their policies harmed his people. Furthermore, this tomb complex is located in an area known as "Bontobiraeng," which literally means "Hill of Joy," an interesting contrast considering this place is the final resting place of a warrior who spent most of his life in war and exile.

This tomb also stands as a silent witness to the transition of historical writing from oral traditions and Lontara to more systematic colonial written documentation. To this day, Makam Arung Palakka stands strong as the collective identity of the South Sulawesi people, connecting a turbulent past with a peaceful present.