Don Leopold Nicolaas Isu Nisnoni
The Raja of Kupang




The Raja of Kupang with Ratu Fredrika

                              
              Raja/Usif Leopold Isu Nisnoni of Kupang, Liurai of Sonbai Kecil.

This monarch lives in the cosmopolitan city of Kupang. Because of the high population of people from all parts of the province of Nusa Tenggara Timur there, the overall support for him isn’t comparatively large.Of course to those of the people, who belongs to Sonbai Kecil and also to a lesser extend to the Federated Kingdom of Kupang support him as monarch,or heir to the Royal title.

The present Usif (Lord) of Kupang did not  inherit the title Raja of Kupang after the death of his father, but the title and position: Liurai of Sonbai Kecil. Gradually, and eventually, he was accepted as by the member monarchs of the Federal Kupang Royalty as the King and the same by the nobility of  the area and the people.It is a case of him earning the respect and then the title with position. As of present, he had not been installed officially. 

He received a part of the forming of his character in Holland. Some said because of that, that was to be western minded, but later it proved to be, that he still knows, how to communicate as a father with his people.


 

The contact with the country, where he lived from his 12th until his 20th year is kept by him by listening to the world wide broadcasted programmes of the Holland radio broadcast organization (Radio Wereld Omroep Nederland).This is a common thing, that many, many more Indonesians are doing, who had their education in Indonesia, or in Holland with Dutch school systems. 

The Raja likes Jazz music very much.What since the 1950’s is rock and roll for a part of the youth, that is jazz for the generation before WW II and shortly thereafter.

Until the beginning of the 1990’s he wasn't very active as future King of Kupang, but after the death of his father Raja Alfonsus in 1993 that changed the situation.He was then thinking to give the dignity to one of his brothers, but the family refused to accpet that idea,because in the Nisnoni dynasty the right of the oldest son (in modern times; before a brother of the deceased also could become king) to become the new king is sacred.

Because of all kinds of circumstances he met many West-European persons, also scholars from USA, Australia and the like, he could come in the network of Indonesian royalty and because of that he grew more and more in his new dignity as chief of the Raja Dynasty of Kupang.

In 2001 he was invited to come to Holland for 3 months to do some promotional work for his province. That resulted in the Raja coming in the contact with Dutch national TV, who later made in 2002 a film about the live of the king. That was received very well in Holland.

Charity work is more, what he likes, than politics and feelings of fame. He is one of the monarchs of Indonesia, who first wants to do something for his people as the 1st servant and then think about his own royal installation (which still has to take place).

The Raja is a no-nonsense royal, who has a very sweet character, hates violence (and also tries to spread that to all kind of political networks),is a person who can be trusted always, sacrifices his time always for others (sometimes a bit to much),adored by his near family, never hurts anybody, is a moderate Christian, but a honest one.

The heir of the Raja is Raja Muda ( Crown Prince ) Don Alfonso Nisnoni, who will inherit the position of both leadership and responsibility. The Crown Prince married late at the age of 39 and has inherited his father's soft and friendly character. The Raja Perempuan Muda ( Crown Princess ) was previously called Princess Maria Rade Pono of Seba ( on the nearby island of Savu ). They have now one son called Prince Leopold.

                                                         Don Alfonso Nisnoni
                                                  The Raja Muda of Kupang

 

The Raja as always supported by his wife, who is not only the Queen of Kupang, but also the Queen of her royal kitchen. The food, that comes out of her royal kitchen (made with her advise and her help (she likes cooking) gives a slight feeling of supreme well being. 

The Raja lives in a modern house; built on the old hill, where the residences of his forefathers were once standing.

This King gives you the feeling, that all people are human beings, but God above has given some people that little bit extra so to serve as good kings of their people.