History in Timor had to be transmitted orally within traditional kingdoms. This was due to the fact that there were very low levels of literacy amongst the Timorese until much into the twentieth century. Here follows one version of the history of the Sonbai kingdom which was written down in 1983. While the details are not always accurate, the text provides a glimpse of the vicissitudes of the old princely dynasties, which were affected by the Portuguese and Dutch colonial intrusion."

Sonbai History

The story begins long before the arrival of Westerners into Indonesia. In West Timor, from Boboki ( Biboki?) at the border between Timur Tengah Utara and Belu, until the sands of Kupang, there was a Raja with great influence called Manas Sonbai. He resided in Bijeli (Timor Tengah Selatan), with the intent to coordinate the petty rajas of Timor, namely Insana, Biboki, Amanuban, Amanatun, Amfoan, Ambenu, Amarasi and Amabi. On the other hand, if at times there were meetings, those from the West or the East would not feel that it was too far to go to Bijeli.

The trade with the outside world (China) had been opened since the 12th century, in the form of an exchange of things. The Chinese would bring crockery like plates, bowls and other things, including muti salak, that from this was used by the Timorese as a most valued object.

These things were exchanged for sandalwood, beeswax and honey, that the Timorese possessed.

The Chinese traders, arriving, made all their transactions via Raja Sonbai, who was given tribute in the form of muti salak and crockery that is still in existence. The relations between China and Raja Sonbai of Timor was based on an equally exalted position, with the same rank and rights, with each one paying reverence to each other and estimating each other.

In the 15^th Century, the Portuguese arrived, namely in the year 1526, when they set foot on Timor. They were not just expert sailors but also traders and missionaries. They began to trade, and besides that they were spreading the Roman Catholic faith. The prime targets of the proselytizing activities were the rajas and their families. After that the others would easily follow suit.

On their arrival the Portuguese did not just organize themselves as a trading entity, but also in a system to wield power over the territory, that finally turned into a colony.

The rebellion of Raja Manas Sonbai could be suppressed by the Portuguese rule, so that Raja Manas Sonbai fled to Oekusi (Ambenu). However, the family of the raja that was left behind was all killed by the Portuguese. In Oekusi he stayed for several decades until he passed away. Finally his grandson called Neno Sonbai went back to Bijeli and continued the struggle until he passed away. After that, it was continued by his son Luis Sonbai, in the time when he ruled. In the struggle he followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, until the Portuguese were made to feel the strokes, having previously considered the Sonbai to have been destroyed. Now, suddenly, there was again a powerful struggle, another one than that of the grandfather, and one that threatened the position of the Portuguese on Timor. Because of that, the Sonbai family was again and again destroyed.

However, the fate was good to Luis Sonbai, for his hiding-place was never made known, until he passed away in 1605. His body was reburied in 1957 in Noemuti, after 300 years.

In the time of the Dutch rule, his grandson called Baob Sonbai did not remain silent in seeing the violence exerted by the rule of the Netherlands Indies. Raja Baob Sonbai and the people put up a fight in 1781 called the Bijeli War. After this, then resulted the contract of Paravisini (Parvicini) in about 1781. There the Rajas of Timor signed the contract, subjugating themselves to the Dutch rule.

As punished, Raja Baob Sonbai was then taken together with Taeko Mella and Abotae Tnone and brought to the Dutch possession in Betawi, until he passed away in 1785.

In order to pacify the society, the government of the Netherlands Indies then appointed his son called Kaus Sonbai as Raja Oenam. His area of rule was narrowed, and just encompassed Mollo, Meomafo and Fatuleu, with his seat in Bikauniki.

Raja Kau Sonbai had two sons. One was called Sobe Sonbai. He afterwards became raja in Bikauniki. Meanwhile, his younger brother called Tua Sonbai went back to Bijeli (Fatumnutu) in Mollo and was appointed by the sukus of Biboki, Insana, Meomafo and Mollo, as Raja Oenam with his seat in Fatumnutu.

In the time when Raja Sobe Sonbai III ruled in Kauniki, in 1903, there was the Bipolo War, and furthermore the Kauniki War. It resulted in Raja Sobe Sonbai III being caught by the Dutch. Together with his followers he was exiled to Sumba, Waingapu, then came back to Kupang and passed away in 1922.

 [This text was written in Tanjung Perak, 9 August 1983, and has been in
the possession of the Bupati of Timor Tengah Selatan. The author is not
mentioned. The text is a paraphrase of the contents.]