Goni Mukhtar
Goni Mukhtar (d. 1809). Leader of the Fula jihad against the Kanuri state of Bornu (in Niger and Nigeria). {Goni is actually a Bornu title for someone who has mastered the Qur’an.} He lived in Deya, a province of Bornu. When the Fula Islamic leader ‘Uthman dan Fodio declared a jihad and appealed for support, Goni became leader of the southern contingent of Fula rebels against Bornu while another army attacked from the west. The two armies gained control of most of Bornu, and in 1808 Goni Mukhtar drove the mai -- the ruler -- from the capital and occupied it. The mai, Ahmad Alimi, abdicated in favor of his son Dunama, who searched for assistance. Assistance came from al-Kanemi, a Muslim cleric from Bornu province whose followers joined forces with the Bornu army to liberate the capital in 1809. Goni Mukhtar was killed in the fighting. The event marked the first stage in al-Kanemi’s take-over of the Bornu state. The Fula retained control of western Bornu, and the Misau Emirate there was founded by Goni Mukhtar’s descendants.
Goni Mukhtar (d. 1809). Leader of the Fula jihad against the Kanuri state of Bornu (in Niger and Nigeria). {Goni is actually a Bornu title for someone who has mastered the Qur’an.} He lived in Deya, a province of Bornu. When the Fula Islamic leader ‘Uthman dan Fodio declared a jihad and appealed for support, Goni became leader of the southern contingent of Fula rebels against Bornu while another army attacked from the west. The two armies gained control of most of Bornu, and in 1808 Goni Mukhtar drove the mai -- the ruler -- from the capital and occupied it. The mai, Ahmad Alimi, abdicated in favor of his son Dunama, who searched for assistance. Assistance came from al-Kanemi, a Muslim cleric from Bornu province whose followers joined forces with the Bornu army to liberate the capital in 1809. Goni Mukhtar was killed in the fighting. The event marked the first stage in al-Kanemi’s take-over of the Bornu state. The Fula retained control of western Bornu, and the Misau Emirate there was founded by Goni Mukhtar’s descendants.
Gorontalese
Gorontalese. The Gorontalese occupy nearly half of the northern peninsula of Sulawesi, officially known as the Province of North Sulawesi in the Republic of Indonesia. The area’s main city is Gorontalo on the Gulf of Tomini.
There are several opinions regarding the origins of the people of Gorontalo. One is that they were an indigenous tribe located around Lake Limbotto. Another is that the Suwawa and Boelemo originated in South Sulawesi and migrated north. There are records to show that the Suwawa kingdom was founded in the eighth century and had trading relations with the Lusu kingdom in South Sulawesi. The kingdoms of Gorontalo and Limbotto came into existence in the fourteenth century and gained influence around the Gulf of Tomini. They conducted trade with peoples throughout the Molucca Sea, including the Ternate. In 1673, all the groups created a federation which later became the Kingdom of Lima Pohalaa. In 1889, the Dutch gave the kingdom the name “Gorontalo.”
Islam apparently came to Gorontalo in the early sixteenth century. In 1563, King Matolodulakiki declared it the official state religion. In 1677, the Dutch Governor Padtbrugge of the Moluccas advocated Christianity and required observance of the religion in formal Dutch local agreements. This policy was opposed by a number of local maharajas, two of whom were banished to Ceylon. By the end of the century, religious conflicts had become widespread. Muslims and Christians both considering the other kafir, non-believers. A Muslim who became a Christian could be thrown out of his community, deprived of his hereditary rights and even exiled. If he were a descendant of the aristocracy, he might lose his right to succeed to higher positions. On the other hand, non-Muslims, especially Chinese or Dutch, who accepted Islam were received with many honors.
The nearly one million Gorontalese are one of three major people groups of northern Sulawesi. Formerly mountain dwellers, the Gorontalese now inhabit scattered villages along the plain or coastal strip of the Sulawesi's northern peninsula, particularly in the city district of Gorontalo.
Sulawesi is located directly south of the Philippines. This large crab-shaped island is generally mountainous and marked by volcanic cones. Tropical rain forests are also characteristic of the area. The history of this region is one of the rising and falling of petty kingdoms. The kingdoms would occasionally ban together in times of war to form a larger and more powerful army. It seems likely that the region was originally inhabited by the Toradja peoples.
To the east of the Gorontalese are the neighboring Minahasans of Minado Island. The Minahasans have been strongly influenced by Dutch colonization and Christian education. As a result, they have been converted to Christianity. Unfortunately, however, the Gorontalese have remained devout Muslims and are largely unevangelized. There seem to be many barriers of prejudice between the two groups. There are no native Gorontalese churches, and local Christians are frightened to reach out to the Muslim Gorontalese for fear of persecution.
Rice, maize, and the fruit of sago palms are important food sources to the Gorontalese. Yams and millet are secondary crops, and coconut is grown commercially. Nets, traps, and harpoons are used for fishing in the lakes. Rattan (a type of palm) and damar (trees grown for timber) are gathered for sale. Cattle are commonly used for pulling heavy loads and horses for riding.
Indonesia has more than eight million farmers who are without land. To aid in this situation, the government offers free land, housing, and other assistance to those who are willing to move from overcrowded areas to the less developed islands.
Gorontalese society is patrilineal, which means that lines of descent are traced through the males. Marriages follow the Muslim pattern and are arranged by a "go between." This middleman has the responsibility of negotiating the bride price for the groom, an amount that is determined by the girl's social status. Although cross cousin marriages are preferred, parallel cousin marriages do sometimes occur. Once married, a couple usually lives with the bride's mother until the first child is born. Then the couple leaves to establish their own household. Each spouse owns property separately, and only the land obtained after marriage becomes mutual property.
Islam, the dominant religion in Indonesia today, is practiced by nearly 85% of the country's population. Hinduism is practiced by only 2% of the population, and about 8% are Protestant Christians. Many also follow Buddhist-Taoist teachings. Animism, the belief that non-living objects have spirits, is also practiced by tribes in remote areas.
Virtually all the Gorontalese are Sunni Muslims, although many of their ritual ceremonies and practices are actually a mixture of several religions.
Indonesian is spoken in the urban areas and taught in the schools. However, most of the Gorontalese—especially the women—speak only Gorontalo, for which there is no written script. Efforts are currently being made to complete a Bible translation as well as audio materials in the Gorontalo language. Prayer for the completion of these materials is needed.
Although Indonesians have religious freedom, the large Muslim population has strong political influence.
Gorontalese. The Gorontalese occupy nearly half of the northern peninsula of Sulawesi, officially known as the Province of North Sulawesi in the Republic of Indonesia. The area’s main city is Gorontalo on the Gulf of Tomini.
There are several opinions regarding the origins of the people of Gorontalo. One is that they were an indigenous tribe located around Lake Limbotto. Another is that the Suwawa and Boelemo originated in South Sulawesi and migrated north. There are records to show that the Suwawa kingdom was founded in the eighth century and had trading relations with the Lusu kingdom in South Sulawesi. The kingdoms of Gorontalo and Limbotto came into existence in the fourteenth century and gained influence around the Gulf of Tomini. They conducted trade with peoples throughout the Molucca Sea, including the Ternate. In 1673, all the groups created a federation which later became the Kingdom of Lima Pohalaa. In 1889, the Dutch gave the kingdom the name “Gorontalo.”
Islam apparently came to Gorontalo in the early sixteenth century. In 1563, King Matolodulakiki declared it the official state religion. In 1677, the Dutch Governor Padtbrugge of the Moluccas advocated Christianity and required observance of the religion in formal Dutch local agreements. This policy was opposed by a number of local maharajas, two of whom were banished to Ceylon. By the end of the century, religious conflicts had become widespread. Muslims and Christians both considering the other kafir, non-believers. A Muslim who became a Christian could be thrown out of his community, deprived of his hereditary rights and even exiled. If he were a descendant of the aristocracy, he might lose his right to succeed to higher positions. On the other hand, non-Muslims, especially Chinese or Dutch, who accepted Islam were received with many honors.
The nearly one million Gorontalese are one of three major people groups of northern Sulawesi. Formerly mountain dwellers, the Gorontalese now inhabit scattered villages along the plain or coastal strip of the Sulawesi's northern peninsula, particularly in the city district of Gorontalo.
Sulawesi is located directly south of the Philippines. This large crab-shaped island is generally mountainous and marked by volcanic cones. Tropical rain forests are also characteristic of the area. The history of this region is one of the rising and falling of petty kingdoms. The kingdoms would occasionally ban together in times of war to form a larger and more powerful army. It seems likely that the region was originally inhabited by the Toradja peoples.
To the east of the Gorontalese are the neighboring Minahasans of Minado Island. The Minahasans have been strongly influenced by Dutch colonization and Christian education. As a result, they have been converted to Christianity. Unfortunately, however, the Gorontalese have remained devout Muslims and are largely unevangelized. There seem to be many barriers of prejudice between the two groups. There are no native Gorontalese churches, and local Christians are frightened to reach out to the Muslim Gorontalese for fear of persecution.
Rice, maize, and the fruit of sago palms are important food sources to the Gorontalese. Yams and millet are secondary crops, and coconut is grown commercially. Nets, traps, and harpoons are used for fishing in the lakes. Rattan (a type of palm) and damar (trees grown for timber) are gathered for sale. Cattle are commonly used for pulling heavy loads and horses for riding.
Indonesia has more than eight million farmers who are without land. To aid in this situation, the government offers free land, housing, and other assistance to those who are willing to move from overcrowded areas to the less developed islands.
Gorontalese society is patrilineal, which means that lines of descent are traced through the males. Marriages follow the Muslim pattern and are arranged by a "go between." This middleman has the responsibility of negotiating the bride price for the groom, an amount that is determined by the girl's social status. Although cross cousin marriages are preferred, parallel cousin marriages do sometimes occur. Once married, a couple usually lives with the bride's mother until the first child is born. Then the couple leaves to establish their own household. Each spouse owns property separately, and only the land obtained after marriage becomes mutual property.
Islam, the dominant religion in Indonesia today, is practiced by nearly 85% of the country's population. Hinduism is practiced by only 2% of the population, and about 8% are Protestant Christians. Many also follow Buddhist-Taoist teachings. Animism, the belief that non-living objects have spirits, is also practiced by tribes in remote areas.
Virtually all the Gorontalese are Sunni Muslims, although many of their ritual ceremonies and practices are actually a mixture of several religions.
Indonesian is spoken in the urban areas and taught in the schools. However, most of the Gorontalese—especially the women—speak only Gorontalo, for which there is no written script. Efforts are currently being made to complete a Bible translation as well as audio materials in the Gorontalo language. Prayer for the completion of these materials is needed.
Although Indonesians have religious freedom, the large Muslim population has strong political influence.
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