Bone state facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sultanate of Bone Akkarungeng ri Bone  (Buginese)
14th century–1945
Flag
Status	Part of Indonesia
Capital	Watampone
Common languages	Bugis
Religion	Sunni Islam
Government	Monarchy
Sultan
• 1300s	Manurunge ri Matajang
• 1358-1424	Petta Panre Bessie
• 1672-1696	La Tenritatta to Unru'
History
• Established	14th century
• Dissolution of Sultanate	1945
Succeeded by Dutch East Indies Republic of Indonesia
Today part of	Indonesia (as Bone Regency)

Bone (also called Boni or Bone Saoraja) was a powerful sultanate in the southwest part of Sulawesi. Today, this area is part of Indonesia. Bone covered about 2,600 square kilometers. Its main town, Boni, was about 130 kilometers northeast of Makassar. The people living there were mostly Bugis.

The Sultan's Palace in Bone, around 1900-1920.

The Early Years of Bone

Bone was a Bugis kingdom built on adat, which means traditional customs and laws. Its history goes back to the early 1400s. The kingdom's story is recorded in its own chronicles.

How Bone Grew

The first known ruler was La Umasa, who ruled in the early 15th century. His nephew, La Saliu (Kerrépelua), took over after him. Under their rule, Bone grew from a few small villages near Watampone into a small kingdom. It became about one-third the size of the modern Bone area.

In the early 1500s, Bone expanded north. They fought with the Luwu kingdom to control the mouth of the River Cenrana. This river was important for trade on the east coast.

The Three Summits Alliance

In 1582, Bone formed an alliance with the Wajo and Soppeng kingdoms. This was to protect themselves from the growing power of Gowa-Tallo. This alliance was known as Tellumpocco'e, meaning "the Three Summits." It was also called LaMumpatue Ri Timurung, which means "The burying of the stones at Timurung."

A map showing the kingdoms in South Sulawesi in the 16th century.

Islam Comes to Bone

In 1605, during the rule of the tenth king, Islam arrived in Bone. This brought big changes to the local culture. Even parts of the royal system were renamed. Bone became very successful in the mid-1600s.

Bone's Rise to Power

Bone became the strongest state in South Sulawesi under Arung Palakka. His real name was La Tenritatta (who ruled from 1672 to 1696). He joined forces with the Dutch admiral Cornelis Speelman. They fought against the Makasar kingdom of Gowa-Tallo. This led to Makassar's defeat in 1669.

From 1669 until 1814, Bone was the main power in South Sulawesi. This was true by treaty and in practice. The only exceptions were areas controlled by the Dutch. These included the important port city of Makassar. When the Dutch returned in 1816, they tried to make Bone less powerful. Bone's rulers strongly resisted this.

Bone Joins Indonesia

In May 1950, people in Watampone held protests. They were against the royal family and Bone being part of the State of East Indonesia. Because of these protests, the Sultan decided that Bone should join Indonesia.

List of Rulers