Minahasa
Minahasa

Tuanku Imam Bonjol

Imam Bonjol: National HeroTuanku Imam Bonjol was not from Minahasa, but he died in Minahasa near Pineleng on November 6, 1864 as an exile.  He was orginally from West Sumatra.  "Tuanku Imam Bonjol" is a title, which was given to religious teachers in Sumatra.  Imam Bonjol's real name is Peto Syarif Ibnu Pandito Bayanuddin.  He was the most popular leader of the Padri movement in Sumatra, which orginally opposed gambling, cockfighting, the use of opium, strong drink, tobacco, etc., but eventually included resistance toward the Dutch, which resulted in the Padri Wars (1821-1838).  In 1837, Imam Bonjol's village was taken over by the Dutch, and Imam Bonjol eventually surrendered.  He was exiled to several places in Indonesia with the last place of exile being Minahasa.  He is recognized as a national hero.

A Sumatran-style building covers Imam Bonjol's final resting place.  In it is his grave, as well as a relief depicting him in the Padri Wars.  To the side of this building is the original house where Imam Bonjol lived during his exile.

The following is a translation of a page at the National Information Center of the Information Department of the Republic of Indonesia web site about Tuanku Imam Bonjol:

Tuanku Imam Bonjol (1772-1864)

Struggle of Independence Hero

By the order of the President of the Republic of Indonesia
No. 087/TK/Year 1973, dated November 6, 1973

Imam Bonjol: National HeroPeto Syarif, more popular with the name of Tuanku Imam Bonjol, was born in 1772 in the village of Tanjung Bunga, Pasaman Regency of West Sumatra.  He was born in a religious environment.   He studied religion in his early age from his father, Buya Nudin.  Afterwards, from several Muslim theologians, like Tuanku Nan Renceh.  Imam Bonjol was the foudner of the state of Bonjol.

Imam Bonjol became involved in the disagreements between the Adat's and the Paderi's.  The Paderi's was trying to clean the teachings of Islam, that had been distorted, to return to the pure teachings of Islam.   The Adat's felt their position was threatened, and was helped by the Dutch.   However, the movement of the army of Imam Bonjol was strong enough to threaten even the position of the Dutch.  Because of this, the Dutch had to sign an peace agreement with Imam Bonjol in 1824.  That agreement was called the "Masang Agreement."  However, the Dutch violated the agreement and attacked the state of Pandai Sikat.

Imam Bonjol: National HeroThe battles were not as meaningful, because the Dutch had to concentrate their efforts toward Prince Diponegoro in Java.  After the end of the Diponegoro battles, the Dutch used almost all their military resources to conquer West Sumatra.  Imam Bonjol and his troops didnot want to surrender, and fought valiantly.  But the Dutch force was too powerful, and the states under Imam Bonjol was one-by-one taken by the Dutch.  Even Imam Bonjol was captured by the enemy.  However, three months later, in 1832m Imam Bonjol escaped and continued the struggle.

The Dutch again used their military resources against Imam Bonjol.  Even Governor Jeneral Van den Bosch personally led the attacks toward Bonjol, but did not succeed.  He offered peace to Imam Bonjol with the declaration of "Palakat Panjang," but Imam Bonjol was suspicious.  Eventhough his position became harder, Imam Bonjol did not want to make peace with the Dutch.  The Dutch had changed the commander of the Dutch forces against Bonjol three times, a small state with a fort made out of clay.  After being surrounded for three years, Bonjol was finally sacked on August 16, 1837.

Imam Bonjol: National HeroTuanku Imam Bonjol was caught in a trap, because of the betrayal of the Dutch during negotiations.  He was captured and exiled to Cianjur.  Fearing this Paderi leader's influence in West Java, Imam Bonjol was moved to Ambon and then to Manado.  Imam Bonjol died in November 6, 1864  at the age of 92 years old.

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