Old Dynasties

Bali	Lombok	Nusatenggara	Papua	Moluccas
Java	Kalimantan	Sulawesi	Sumatra

Asmat Region	Asmat Tribe	Korowali Tribe	Baliem Valley	Dani Tribe	Lani Tribe
Yali Tribe	Bauzi tribe	Kamoro Tribe	Amungme Tribe	Mambareno River	Tribes Map

6 Old Dynasties Papua

sources: Kingdoms of Indonesia

old dynasties, kerajaan, Fatagar, Raja Said Arobi Uswanas

old dynasties, kerajaan,Kaimana, Raja Umis Abdul Hakim Achmad Aituarauw of Kaimana

old dynasties, kerajaan,Sekar, Ratu-Hajjah-Rustutih-Rumagesan

Arguni

Fatagar

Kaimana

Sekar

Raja

Raja Said Arobi Uswanas

Raja Umis Abdul Hakim Achmad Aituarauw of Kaimana

Ratu-Hajjah-Rustutih-Rumagesan

Fak Fak

Wertuar

Raja Ismail Bauw

Raja Musa Heremba

Raja of Arguni

In Papua there is an extraordinary principality called Arguni. Strong in some aspects of it's existance.
It's lying on the north part of the Bomberay peninsula.
Before it was an area,where the ruler was a representative of the once very powerfull and paramount power in a part of this peninsula: the raja of Rumbati.
Like Sekar, Wertuar and Patipi this area was ruled by clans, which delived rulers not with a raja title.
Later these areas became more and more powerfull themselves and could gain some amount of independence from Rumbati.
In ca. 1865 the ruler of Rumbati received the rajatitle from the paramount ruler in this area:the sultan of Tidore.
When the Dutch East-Indish Government really obtained the influence here at the end of the 19th century the raja of Arguni became more or less totally independent.
Sekar, Arguni and probably also Wertuar were later not ashamed to acknowledge the paramount position of Rumbati in the northern part of the Bomberay peninsula.
Nearly all of the 9 principalities in this peninsula had his own influence area outside his central area;mainly on the Bird's Head peninsula.
These influenced was reduced more and more.But strange enough only in the Arguni area this influence remained very strong.Only in 1928 a begin of a reduced influence was started (the 2 areas of Arguni then were in 2 seperate districts).

The raja of Arguni also was always known a a strong bringer of the islam religion in his influence area.
The Arguni area was known as the area of the excellent boatmakers. The Arguni boats (for business for instance) were always real bigger than the used boats in the other Bomberay principalities.
Also the pottery and the sagoproduction in Arguni is well-known in the area.
The raja dynasty has strong descent connections also with Ceram.
The businnes principalities of the Papua Bomberay peninsula were always strong in trading with the areas around them.
These activites remained strong later.The present rajas are nowadays also engaged in business, or/and are engaged in local politics.
Before Arguni was quite densely populated. Later the amount of population diminished a little.
Arguni is described in the modern time maybe not as the most richest principality in this area, but for sure one of the most remarquable principalities.

Fatagar-Raja Said Arobi Uswanas

One of the most important principalities of the Onin, or Fak Fak area. In the 1880-ies ca. Fatagar had for a time no raja. The eligible person went to live in Ceram, where they had familycontacts. Then the forefather of this raja was borught back and installed as raja. All the then ruling rajas of Fatagar were known as quite good rajas.
He is high politician in district Fak Fak.
Most of the principalities here are ruled by dynasties descended from Rumbati dynasty,o r made as local semi-principality (later independent) by Rumbati. Fatagar is one of the roots principalities and it's dynasty descended from Rumbati dynasty.

Fak Fak Raja Ismail Bauw.

On the 29th of november 2009 one of the most important rajas of Papua died:Raja Ismail Bauw.
Like his father Raja Ibrahim Bauw:ruled from 1946 and died 1994 , he was an important political leader in Papua.
In the begining of the 1960-ies,when there was the matter of Papua would join Indonesia finally;he tried to keep Indonesia one,so not all kind of independent states in the former Dutch East-Indies.
His son Crownprince Ismail Bauw was then the sub-district chief of the Fak Fak area.
Already soon the crownprince took over the political leadership of his father.
Raja Ismail Bauw as a young politician was in the beginning very much in favour to keep Indonesia one, But later in his more older and mild years he also could understand the ideas of Papuan people, who wished more autonomy for the area.
A big part of his life he was political active. In 1999 he was still the candidate for the local parliament.
The historical grown role of the rajas in Papua is still functioning as a part of the social system.
Before they were under the paramount rule (sometimes at least nominally) of the sultanate of Tidore in the North-Moluccans. The representative of the Tidore sultan in Papua was the raja of Lilinta on the island of Misool in the Raja Ampat islands (before the west coast of Papua).
Locally the raja of Lilinta was represented by the raja of Rumbati, who also was a paramount raja in big parts of the Onin, or Bomberai peninsula.During the course of the history several parts of the Rumbati principality became independent principalities themselves.
Raja Ismail Bauw was already sick for some time.
May his sole can take part in the eternal peace and that his succesor will be a leader with wisdom.

Kaimana -Raja Umis Abdul Hakim Achmad Aituarauw of Kaimana

Kaimana is one of the 9 principality like areas of the Bomberai peninsula area of Papua.
Originally Kaimana was a part of Namatota (Namatotte) principality, but slowly but surely became effectively an area on it's own.
Kaimana must have been already ca. 5 centuries an area on it's own.Some centuries ago it merged with Namatota. Namatota is the Papua principality lying in the east of the above called area.
Namatota had more minor rajas under it's rule.
When Kaimana was still an independent area, it was ruled from Adi island, but later they went to Kaimana area proper and called itself Kaimana Lamora.
Ca. at the end of the 19th century the last Raja of Adi (succesor to the raja of Kaimana Lamora) had died,but in the extensive area of the Namatota principality there was a need for representatives sometimes.Now the need was felt in the area, which is later called as Kaimana.
Ca. 1898 a sub-raja was installed with name NaroE. The dynasty now claims, that he was actually descendant of the rulers,who always had ruled Kaimana.
Such a ruler was actually called Raja Komisi,but locally they called him Rat Umis.
The last Rat Umis in Dutch colonial time was Rat Umis Achmad Muhammad Aituarauw.
First he lived in kaimana town, but to go a bit away from the pressing influence of his suzerain he made a new residence on the Kilimala island somewhere in the 1930-ies.
This ruler was known as a quite cunning man, with so much influence in Namatota,that the Dutch were seriously thinking of replacing him by another ruler to try to reestablish the power equilibre here after World War II. That was never done however.
The Rajas of Namatota and the Rats Umis of Kaimana were also quite influential in the Arguni bay area in the north of the area,but later that remained more or less a nominal influence only.
Most of all these rulers in the Bomberai/Onin area were trader dynasties, who had more interest in trade,than real rule as it was known in the west.
So the Dutch were not always fully satisfied with the intermediary function they had between the Dutch Government and the more inland living peoples.
When the last Rat Umis of the Dutch time died in 1966, his son Muhammad Achmad Aituarauw was then already a respected government official. He was made officially the Rat Umis then, but gave the day to day monarchistic rule, or functioning to his brother Muhammad Saleh Aituarauw, who was only recognized as Regent-Rat Umis.
The present monarch of Kaimana; Rat Umis Abdul Hakim Achmad Aituarauw, S.Sos; a well-know politician;is the son of Rat Umis Muhammad Achmad Aituarauw.
This ruling family was always full of ruling ambitions. So is a certain Drs. Achmad Hassan Aituarauw the present Bupati, or Districtchief of an area, which also bears the name Kaimana and the cousin of the Rat Umis(son of the former Regent) Haji Arobi Achmad Aituarauw was in 2006 a candidate for the governorship of the province of Papua. (He became 2nd).
Nowadays the Onin, or Bomberai area rajas are espacially very important in being the representatives of their area concerning the rights the local people have in protecting the ecological system of their areas.
The radjas of Namatota and the rats umis of Kaimana were not always so at the top of their power, but the people always respected them as the at least symbolic representatives of their areas to the outside world.
Or:focussing on your own local identity.
The Onin rajas were before represented to the outside world by the Raja of Rumbati and these had to make political dealings with the Raja of Misool in the Raja Ampat islands(west of Onin area),who was the representative of both areas for the N.-Moluccan sultan of Tidore,who was the suzerain of this area.
Some said before, that the power of the 9 monarchs of the Onin-area was nearly gone, but nowadays they are returning back strongly: for instance as fatherly representatives of their respective areas and keepers of the local customs and history.
This is another example,that political functioning of rulers can hardly be predicted for the full 100%.

With thanks to the Aituarauw ruling family for using the picture of the present Rat Umis, to be found as well on their own website at ttp://aituarauw-kaimana.blogspot.com

Sekar-Ratu Hajjah Rustutih Rumagesan

Sekar, a little principality on the Onin-peninsula. There are 9 principalities, which were before under the sway of the Tidore Sultanate. Mostly these areas were business principalities and still the dynasties there are still strong in business.
After her father died her 3 uncles quarelled to much over the power and then the people had so enough of it, that they asked her to become the regent. And so she did. She is it now since 2007. On the Raja Ampat islands there are also 4 principalities. Other areas on Papua also have rulers with raja, etc. titles, but can not be considered as real principalities. Only to the north of Papua lies an island group with name Mappia, which also is a principality (with a sort of Polynesian blood).

Wertuar-Raja Musa Heremba

Indonesia has ca. 300 recognized dynasties,who ruled before over independent monarchies.These were ranging from empires,sultanates to big and small principalities. Nowadays these dynasties still fullfill it's role as cultural and historical identity points for the local populations at least.
The island of Papua also had principalities:8. Before the coast of Papua is an archipelago with 4 other principalities (west of it) and to the north is the little former principality of the Mapia islands. One of the Papua island principalities is the principality of Wetuar;lying west of the city of Kokas;one of the 3 main cities in the Onin-peninsula area, where all the 8 Papua principalities are lying.These areas are ruled by dynasties originating in the area, of mixed local/outside origin,or originally coming from the Moluccans.
The present dynasty of Wertuar is the Heremba clan and the present raja is Raja Musa Heremba, being the 10th ruler of the area. This clan delivered always the rulers of the area,but not always the raja. Before it was a sort of vasal-area of nearby principality of Rumbati;the former major power in the area. Between 1850 and 1870 it was neccesarily to install a seperate raja for the Wertuar area,so Raja Semempes was installed, who already was a coordinating man a bit there.He was the first and last raja of the old time,although his son Waraburi also is recognized as a sort of ruler of Wertuar,but probably without raja-title. Another source give different/additional info about former rajas of Wertuar. The Heremba clan was then already the Raja Muda clan (vice-raja) of Wertuar.They need to have a seperate raja of Wertuar came back strongly after a while. A certain Raja Muda Lakatey Heremba was installed as raja muda in 1886 and was found a good ruler enough to install him 20-11-1911as the first raja of Wertuar of his dynasty;but nominally still under the rule of the principality of Rumbati. It became total independent in the beginning of the 1920-ies,when the then raja also toook the raja-title. The strong ruler Raja Lakatey Heremba died in 1913 and was succeeded by his son Raja Paris Heremba. Also known as a dedicated ruler for his principality.
The main remaining area of the former principality of Wertuar is not so big, but all the Papua island principalities also have a commercial influence area, which before also more or less belonged to their existence. Raja Paris Heremba abdicated because of old age in 1952 and was succeeded by the last ruling raja of Wertuar:his son Raja Nazar Heremba. This raja ruled over an area consisted of 8 villages.
Nowadays these 8 are grouped into 5 official villages. The dynasty originally comes from the Baham area;the border area between the Onin peninsula and the rest of the island of Papua.They can consider Kramongga village as their residence village. Raja Nazar Heremba became after Papua was attached to Indonesian in the beginning 1960-ies an official in the local government. His father had witnessed the transitional period of Papua, because died in 1961. In his time Raja Nazar Heremba was known as the most educated raja of the area and known also for his very big dedication to bring development to his people. Still he is loved very much in the memory of the people of Wertuar.He died in 1988 and before his burial his son Raja Musa Heremba was chosen and installed as the 10th ruler of Wertuar 15-4-1988. That was done;even in the so-called modern time, by the traditional chiefs according to traditional rules. Later he also had to be recognized by the local government. Like his forefathers;Raja Musa Heremba is known for his caring for his people. He is now a high official at the department of transport of the district government of Fak Fak. From his marriage with Ratu Wa Taribu Heremba Penunuh he has 7 children, of which the oldest son;Raja Muda Abdul Mutalib Heremba;already was passed away before 2009. The succession in Wertuar doesn't go automatically from father to oldest son. The in 1955 born Raja Musa Heremba had an older brother called Raja Muda Umar Heremba, who died when he was 7 and some other brothers, but one way, or another the traditional chiefs and the important members of the dynasty choose for him as 10th ruler of Wertuar. The present crownprince of Wertuar is like him also not the oldest son:Raja Muda Umar Rifai Heremba is now 23 years. Wertuar is lying near the very important harbour of Kokas and in the Dutch time also had their as a a raja their main residence to be close to Dutch government;so lived in the same city as the raja of Sekar. Sometimes the rajas of this area were called the business rajas and they still have these talents until now. The existence of Wertuar as a seperate principality was not always undisputed,because in the past the rajas of Sekar tried to convince Holland to let Wertuar be considered as a part of Sekar.These requests were never rewarded. Now all is harmony here between the 2 dynasties,who are also through marriage related to each other. Nowadays also the raja dynasty of Wertuar is recognized by the other dynasties of Indonesia as a by history founded ruling family;being nowadays a focuspoint for local history and culture. The knowledge and feeling for these matters are nowadays still very much alive and the members of the local dynasties here also have an important place as members elected in the local government. This article could be made after several interviews with Ratu Muda Arwan Heremba S.IP. (the sister of Raja Musa Heremba), Raja Muda Umar Rifai Heremba (the crownprince of Wertuar)and Raja Muda Satria Paris Heremba (the nephew of Raja Musa Heremba). Of course we are extremely gratefull for all their friendly and valuable help during the interviews.