A brief history of the Fatagar kingdom in West Papua, get to know the kingdom’s location, the system of government, the Kings who led, and the legacy. Here are some interesting facts about the Fatagar Kingdom:
The Location of the Fatagar Kingdom
Location of the kingdom of Fatagar is located in the Merapi area, West Papua, or more precisely, in the east of the Fakfak city, Fakfak Regency. The city of Fakfak itself had another name in the past, Onin, or in the Negarakertagama book by Mpu Prapanca named Wwanin.
During the reign of the Fatagar kingdom, this kingdom experienced a change in the center of government several times. Historical records explain that at the beginning of the rule of the Fatagar kingdom, this kingdom had a central government in Onin or Fakfak.
Later, due to a conflict with the Rumbati kingdom, the kingdom of Fatagar moved to the island of Ega. The move of the kingdom of Fatagar to the isle of Ega did not last long. After a while, the kingdom of Fatagar came back and moved to Merapi, Fakfak, West Papua.
Fatagar Kingdom’s Government System
In his reign, the King of the kingdom of Fatagar has subordinates who help him. Some positions that assist the King are Raja Muda (viceroy), Sangaji, Major, Kapitan, Jajau, Warnemin, Suruhan, and Pandayung.
In his duties, the king of Fatagar kingdom appoints Sangaji, Major, Kapitan, Jajau, and Warnemin. The King also has a responsibility as a mediator in resolving disputes or problems between residents. The King also has a role as a judge in day-to-day decisions.
In government, Raja Muda has a duty to help with the King’s task. The Viceroy must carry out the King’s orders and customary orders when the King is not in his place or is going to another area of his authority.
This duty also applies to Sangaji, Major, Kapitan, Jajau, Warnemin, Suruhan, and Pandayung. Their job was to help the King when he was away. Sangaji, Major, Kapitan, Jajau, Warnemin, Suruhan, and Pandayung have the same position that is under the Raja Muda.
Kings of the Kingdom of Fatagar
You need to know that at the beginning of the Fatagar kingdom regime, the king’s position was under the pressure of the Tidore kingdom. During the Fatagar kingdom’s reign, the king was just a trading agent for the benefit of the kingdom of Tidore and was subject to the sultanate of Tidore.
In a book entitled Kerajaan Fatagar Dalam Sejarah Kerajaan-Kerajaan di Fakfak Papua Barat, it is explained that the kings of the Onin peninsula, including the Fatagar kingdom, exercised their power on behalf of the sultan of Tidore.
A.L. Vink explained that the relationship between the Sultan of Tidore and the kings on the west coast of Papua was a trade relationship.
However, according to information available in the local community, all the kings of the Fatagar kingdom are good and wise king figures. According to historical records, the first king who became the leader of the kingdom of Fatagar was Marairat. There is no clear information on when Marairat took up this position.
The track record of the king who ruled the kingdom of Fatagar continued in 1800, that is, King Kanumbas. It is unclear when King Kanumbas began his reign, but it ended in 1880. After King Kanumbas, the kingdom of Fatagar was ruled by King Kurkur from 1880 to 1899.
The Fatagar kingdom’s power then fell into King Mafa’s hands. He was in charge for 43 years, from 1899 to 1942. The government of the Fatagar kingdom then descended to King Kamarudin, who ruled from 1942 to 1943.
Currently, the kingdom of Fatagar is led by King Taufiq Heru Uswanas. Taufiq Heru Uswanas became king of the kingdom of Fatagar after being sworn in on December 31, 2009. Taufiq Heru Uswanas is the son of Said Arobi Uswanas, The king of Fatagar who ruled from 1956 to 2009.
Despite having a long reign and successive kings, there is not much information about the legacy of the Fatagar kingdom. One of the existing Fatagar Kingdom heritages is the Tunasgain Mosque in Fakfak, which is more than 400 years old. Other than that, there is no record regarding the legacy of the Fatagar kingdom.
