Senja di Kaimana. Through the lyrics is how Kaimana, West Papua, has been commemorated with its unforgettably beautiful twilight. However, Kaimana also share interesting history of its kingdom as in fact it is one of the oldest kingdoms in the province. Dig deep into several things you need to know about the Kaimana Kingdom since its establishment until the involvement of the Netherlands below.
The Early Establishment
The Kaimana Kingdom is located in Kaimana Regency, West Papua, Indonesia. The kingdom shares a long story before being established as the Kingdom of Kaimana nowadays, and it remains interesting to learn.
Long time ago, the history mentioned that their predecessor was initially from Pattimunin, the regions in Kumawa Mountains and Baik Bay. Unified by Imaga, the areas and tribes were conjugated through meetings, matrimonies, and joined customs then he traditionally established the kingdom in 1309. Thus, he was given a title Rat Sran Nati Pattimuni I in which “Rat” is defined as king while “Sran” is named after the region of his reign.
The capital of Sran Kingdom was initially situated in Weri, more specifically under the region of Tunas Gain Bay, Fakfak. Imaga was accompanied by his associate called “duduvura” and the prince called “Raja Muda” to lead the kingdom. Imaga and his brother Imuli together established the kingdom initially named the Baham Kingdom. He was the ancestor of Joupiad and Padudade.
The Prosperous Time
The power of Imaga was descended to his son, Basir Onin, entitled Rat Sran Adi II, and he placed the central government to Borombouw in the island of Adi due to its strategic spot. After his retirement, his son, Woran took the throne and it became one of the best times for the kingdom. The people were completed with prosperity and he unified the villages without conquest but marriages.
The legends noted that Gajah Mada once came to Borombouw in Adi Island. He handed a flag of Majapahit in red and white along with more presents in San Abe, the Kraton or palace of the kingdom. To respond the gifts, Woran entrusted a daughter and Syangga, the bird of paradise. Negarakertagama mentioned about these relationships regarding “Sran,” an area influenced by Majapahit.
The Fallen
There were three kings after Woran, yet the historical records of Kaimana Kingdom became less apparent after Woran passed away. The influencing skills of them weren’t as great as Woran’s resulting to the Tidore invasion in 1498. Sran Kingdom then was tumbled after the conquest in Hongitochten or the expedition of Hongi. What made it worst was that Sran were also forced to transmit slaves, yellow birds of paradise, and spices.
The Muslims Kingdom
By the 16th century, Sran Kingdom became a Muslims Kingdom as the royal members became Muslims during their stay in Adi Island. Long before the Muslims Kingdom was there in the 1500th century (1460-1541), the first ruler of Adi Island, Ade Aria Way or known as Samai, received Islam brought by a Yemen Sufi namely Syarif Muaz al-Qathan or popularly known as “Syeikh Jubah Biru” meaning Syeikh in a blue coat. The oral history also mentioned that the king once requested Alhamid of Molucca to the region. Alhamid having Arabian blood served as an Imam in the area, and his heirs have been living in Kaimana since then.
Behind the name Kaimana
The history became more unclear until Nduvin took the throne as Rat Sran IV in 1808. Nduvin placed the central authority of the kingdom which had been situated in Borombouw, Adi Island, to E’man which was eventually called Kaimana. Nduvin tied a knot through a marriage with a princess from Wai of Bonggofut, and the marriage resulted to a dear child, Nawaratu or Naro’e.
By the time of Nduvin’s influence, in West Papua was the domination of Tidore in authority. However, unfortunately, during this period of time, Tidore was being capitalized by Netherlands. The protectorate of the Dutch led to some changes in the region of kingdom.
The Three Silver Batons
In the region of Lobo, Namatota, Kaimana, the Netherlands had “Fort du Bus” built by 1828. Just after the construction was over, a ceremony was held and numerous figures were receiving invitation to the event. There were many tribes and kingdoms coming to the ceremony, like the Namatota King, Sendawan, and Lahakia King, Kassa. There was also Lutu, “Orang Kaya” or the influencing person from Lobo and Mawara coming to the event.
After the ceremony, Sendawan, Kassa, and Lutu were noticed by the Netherlands, and they were considered to represent the three silver batons as the leaders of their areas. These three leaders were recognized to influence in approximately 28 tribes and subordinate kingdoms.
Those are some details underlined in the history of Kaimana Kingdom, West Papua. The kingdom had undergone uniquely interesting stories to follow since it was firstly established by Imaga in 1309 until the Netherlands took part in administering the regions. The history of Kaimana Kingdom after this affiliation until today is also fascinating to learn. Keep looking forward to it!
