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After a naval voyage on a wooden boat, the Batui traditional group of Banggai Regency arrived in Banggai District, Marine Banggai Regency, Central Sulawesi Province on Dec. 4, 2025.
Their arrival was more than just an ordinary traditional procession. It is a historic moment, since a tomundo, or king, of Banggai has not attended Malabot Tumbe in person for 15 years prior. The traditional group's presence marked the revival of the Banggai's traditional custural authority.
In the courtyard of the Banggai Palace, the atmosphere was sacred and full of emotion. The group carrying eggs of endemic maleo birds, a sacred symbol of the brotherhood of Batui and Banggai, was welcomed by the contingent of Tomundo of Banggai Moh. Fiqram Ramadhan, who was accompanied by his permaisuri or queen-consort.
The tomundo and queen-consort had just been inaugurated by the Basalo Sangkap the day before on Dec. 3, 2025, in a traditional ceremony at the Banggai Palace in Marine Banggai Regency.
In his speech, Tomundo Fiqram said that his attendance was both to carry out tradition as well as fulfill the ancestral promise and traditional oath that had been sworn on Jan. 29 2010, when his father, the preceding tomundo, attended the same procession before he died.
"My attendance [to Malabot Tumbe as the Tomundo of Banggai] for the first time carries the same goal as the ancestors. Nothing has changed. We will continue to truly adhere to the process for carrying out Banggai's traditions according to the applicable customary rules," said the tomundo in front of local traditional elders and guests who filled the palace.
Tomundo Fiqram concluded his gratitude to the Basalo Sangkap who had confirmed him as the Tomundo of Banggai. He promised to lead the Banggai tradition towards a better future, still standing on the values of their ancestral heritage.
Meanwhile, Marine Banggai Regional Secretary Ruslan Tolani, speaking based on Marine Banggai Regent Sofyan Kaepa's written statement, emphasized that Malabot Tumbe is a sacred tradition that must be known and emulated by the people, especially the residents of Banggai.
"Tumbe means first. By carrying out this activity, the people of Batui and Banggai still uphold the mandate of Batomundoan Banggai," Ruslan added.
On that occasion, he also invited the entire community to work together to protect the endemic maleo bird that is the symbol of Malabot Tumbe and its habitat. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of maintaining family ties between the communities of the three regencies of the Banggai Archipelago.
"These family ties must continue to be maintained and strengthened," he emphasized.
Malabot Tumbe 2025 is both an annual traditional cultural procession and a moment to revive the values of brotherhood that have bound Batui and Banggai for decades. The attendance of Tomundo Banggai in person for the first time in 15 years is a sign that Banggai's customs are once again standing tall in their true spirit.
