Majene, Sulbarkita.com -- Putta'da Village is one of the areas in Sendana District, Majene Regency which is not only rich in beautiful natural scenery. This mountainous area also has a myriad of saga which is still believed to be true by the local community, one of which is the story of Tomesaraung Bulawang.

In Indonesian, Tomesaraung Bulawang, is defined as The Wearer of the Gold Cap. The shape of this hat is quite familiar to the community, especially farmers because it is good enough to protect the head from the sun. This caping hat is usually made of woven bamboo in a round shape with a pointed top.

The saga of Tomesaraung Bulawang in Putta'da consists of several versions. One version calls her the wife of Daeng Palulung, the founder of the Sendana Kingdom, who was blessed with a number of children, one of whom was named Iputta'daq. However, there is also another version which states that Tomesaraung Bulawang is the daughter of King Putta'da whose life ended tragically.

"She was a beautiful virgin who died at a young age," said the head of the Putta'da custom, or who has the title Pappuangang, Muhammad Ali, to Sulbarkita.com at his residence, Wednesday, July 27, 2022.

Tomesaraung Bulawang's beauty is not only the attention of Putta'da youth, but also famous to the other country, namely Toraja. Until finally the King of Tanah Toraja (Toraja) Lakipadada was also captivated by the beauty of the king's daughter. The famous king in Toraja is confident that he can win Tomesaraung Bulawang's love, especially since they are still a close family.

According to Ali, Lakipadada is a one-time cousin of Tomesaraung Bulawang. Until one day, Lakipadada ventured to send a number of his soldiers to Putta'da to woo the princess. Unfortunately, hope remains hope. The king's application was rejected by the Tomesaraung Bulawang family due to religious differences. "At that time Tomesaraung Bulawang was already a Muslim," said Ali.

The Lakipadada soldiers returned home with the news that made Lakipadada very angry. I was so angry, Lakipadada sent his troops to take the princess by force. "If he doesn't want to come, cut off his head and bring it to me," said the king of Lakipadada, as imitated by Ali.

Hearing the news that he would be arrested, Tomesaraung Bulawang was rushed to an area called Mosso, in the mountains of Sendana, Putta'da. However, the princess's hiding place was uncovered by the powerful Lakipadada troops. They found clues to the whereabouts of the princess through a few strands of her hair that drifted in the river. "Tomesaraung Bulawang's hair was washed away after bathing in the river at that time," said Ali.

After finding the princess, the Soldier then conveyed the king's order to take her to Toraja. But Tomesaraung Bulawang did not change his intention to reject Lakipadada's love. Finally, he was beheaded by the warrior Lakipadada. Then the head of the princess was then brought to the palace of the king. The king's wrath vanished because it could treat the shame of being rejected by the princess. To maintain good relations with Putta'da, Lakipadada then sent a number of jewelry there.

"That is a plate of 20 pieces and gold bars," said Ali. "So it's not gold in the form of a hat like what has been so far, but gold bullion," Ali added.

Tomb Allegedly Looted

On the slopes of Mount Buttu Suso, in the village of Sa'Adawang, Putta'da Village, there is a tomb believed by residents to be the tomb of Tomesaraung Bulawang. In Muhammad Munir's article, entitled Tracing the History of the Kingdom of Sendana (Part 1) "Putta'da and the Old Village of Sa'Adawang", the condition of the tomb is so alarming, because it is located among thickets, is not well maintained and only consists of 3 boulders that have become marker.

Munir wrote that in 1973 this tomb was excavated by an irresponsible person to get the treasure. Even a number of residents claimed to have seen the digger found a lot of ceramics, gold and other treasures from inside the tomb. "I am ashamed of the grave digging incident, maybe one day the Toraja people will come to make pilgrimages," said Ali.

Tomesaraung Bulawang's Tomb in Toraja

The tomb of Tomesaraung Bulawang is believed by residents not only in Putta'da, but also in Toraja. Pappuangang Putta'da, Muhammad Ali admitted that he had visited there in 2017.

According to Ali, the Toraja traditional leader acknowledged the saga of Tomesaraung Bulawang who was beheaded and then his head was taken to the Kingdom of Toraja. "The head was kept in a crate in a stone cave in Sangalla, Toraja," he said.

To the Toraja traditional leaders, Ali requested that the body parts be brought to Putta'da to be buried in the Tomesaraung Bulawang tomb. However, this request was not fulfilled because they had to go through a number of rituals. "According to Toraja traditional holders, it can be taken, but there will be a traditional ceremony," said Ali.

Erisusanto | gallerycopycoqboq.blogspot.com