Before the kingdom
of Soppeng
In the beginning of XII century, the king of Bulu’e passed
away and didn’t have any heir. As a consequence, the government activities have
been done by 60 Matoas. This condition created new problem because there was no
representative leader. Moreover there was a long dry season at that time. The
Matoas didn’t find any successor of Petta Bulu’e Matanre Lapabbolong. So they decided
to do Tudang Sipulung or meeting in front of Salassa, it is the name of Soppeng
palace.
Matoa Bila : “What we
are going to do?, we are in a big problem because it is dry season now and our
food will be lost”
Matoa 1 : “We have
to look for another successor to change Petta Bulu’e Matanre Lapabbolong.
Beside that, he also can help us to solve this problem so that we will not in
suffer later.”
Matoa 2 : “Yes…I agree
with you. I think it is a good idea to look for another leader because all of
us have responsibility in our shelter.”
When they are
doing Tudang Sipulung, suddenly the sky is cloudy, and in the same time they
saw a couple of cockatoo were fighting to get something. They were stopped when
it fallen down upon Matoa Bila. He took it and pay attention to it because it
was a strange plant.
Matoa Bila : “What is
it, I never seen this plant before? I’m sure that it was sent by God to solve
our problem.
According to
Matoa Bila, the birds were sent by God to give them sign how to solve their
problem. Finally Matoa Bila asked the other Matoas to investigate where the
cockatoos came from. Fortunately his feeling was proven because the cockatoos
send them to meet a handsome Young man. They were surprised because they never
met a man like him. He wore a nice clothes and accessories from gold. They were
convincing that the young man was To Munurung, in Buginess it means a man from
the sky. He lived in Tinco by planting rice. Soon Matoa Bila asked the man that
he would be chosen as the king of Soppeng.
Matoa Bila :
“Who are you son and where are you come from?”
To Manurung :
“Let me introduce my self, my name is Latemmamala and I have been living here
for many years.”
Matoa Bila : “I would
like you to become the king of Soppeng son, and you have to do three
requirements. The first is DONGIRI IKKENG TEMMATIPA, the second is SALIPURI
IKKENG TEMMADINGIN and the third is WESSE IKKENG TEMMAKAPPA.”
To Manurung :
“All right sir, I will do all your requirements”
At last, To
Manurung agreed to do all the requirements. Those requirements have meaning as the
first was DONGIRI IKKENG TEMMATIPA means capable to give protection,
supervision, and safety to the people. The second was SALIPURI IKKENG
TEMMADINGIN means capable to provide food and the third was WESSE IKKENG
TEMMAKAPPA means capable to prosper the people. Finally, Matoa Bila established
a kingdom named Soppeng
Kingdom
From this
story, ABDUL GANI, AE suggested to use the picture of cockatoo as a symbol. The
government agreed to use it, so that the picture of cockatoo which handle a
stem of rice being a symbol of Soppeng Regency until now.
The End
