Gorontalo

Gorontalo

Gorontalo (Hulontalo) is an Indonesian province on the island of Sulawesi. It was created on December 5th, 2000.Historically, it has been a center for the spread of Islam in Eastern Indonesia. Besides, classical Gorontalese fine art and culture are unique such as Karawo, Upiya Karanji (Songkok Gorontalo) or nickname "Peci Gusdur" (Gusdur being The 4th President of Indonesia), and poetry. (Gorontalo City is also known as "The Land Under Medina's Porch"). Gorontalo province is located on the peninsula (Gorontalo Peninsula) on the northern part of Sulawesi, located in the western part of the province of North Sulawesi. The total area of the province is 12,435 square kilometres (4,801 sq mi) with a population of 1, 133, 237(2016), with population density of 88 inhabitants / km².Gorontalo is mainly inhabited by several groups consisting of various Pohala'a (Family), among them Pohala'a Gorontalo (Ethnic Hulontalo), Pohala'a Suwawa (Ethnic Suwawa/Tuwawa), Pohala'a Limboto (Ethnic Limutu). Pohala'a Bolango (Ethnic Bulango/Bolango) and Pohala'a Atinggola (Ethnic Atinggola) are also categorized into Gorontalo tribes (also known as Hulontalo, Gorontalese or Gorontaloan). It is believed that the spread of Gorontalese diaspora has reached five times the current population in Gorontalo and are now scattered throughout Indonesia and other countries .

History

Gorontalo Peninsula has had some type of human civilization since approximately 1300 years ago. Historical records show a Kingdom of Suwawa as existing in 8th century CE. This is reinforced by the discovery of the tomb of their king, Moluadu, on the banks of the river Bulawa along with his wife and child.

However, Gorontalo Peninsula did not just have historical records on the inscription King ancient tombs, but it also has prehistoric sites. Oluhuta sites, is a prehistoric site and has a prehistoric tomb in it. this may be evidence that Gorontalo has had very ancient civilization.

Meanwhile, the city of Gorontalo is one of the oldest city on Sulawesi in addition to the city of Makassar and Manado. It is estimated, Gorontalo has been around since approximately 400 years ago or around the 1500s in the 16th century.Previously Gorontalo City became one of the centers of Islamic religion in Eastern Indonesia, in addition to Ternate (now part of North maluku Province).

Along with the spread of the religion, Gorontalo city eventually became the center of education and commerce for surrounding communities in the region "Tomini-Bocht" as Territory Bolaang Mongondow (North Sulawesi), Region Buol, Region Luwuk, Banggai, Donggala (Central Sulawesi) even to the Southeast. This is because of its strategic location, its position facing directly into the Gulf of Tomini (south) and the Sulawesi Sea (north).

Before the colonial period Gorontalo was governed under customary law.Kingdoms were united in a bond of kinship called "Pohala'a". According Haga (1931) there are five pohala'a Gorontalo area: