From Exile to Heritage: Efforts to Preserve the Tomb of Tuanku Imam Bonjol in North Sulawesi Dari Pengasingan ke Warisan: Upaya Pelestarian Makam Tuanku Imam Bonjol di Sulawesi Utara

Main Article Content

Imam Mash'ud
Irfanuddin Wahid Marzuki

Abstract

Tuanku Imam Bonjol is one of Indonesia’s national heroes who played a pivotal role in resisting colonialism in Sumatra. This resistance eventually led to his exile, along with his followers, to North Sulawesi, where he spent the remainder of his life. The Tomb of Tuanku Imam Bonjol, located in Lotta Village, Minahasa, is a significant symbol of the nation’s struggle and has been designated a Cultural Heritage Structure. However, excessive utilization without adherence to preservation principles has created several problems, including alterations to the tombstone and grave marker that have diminished the site’s authenticity and integrity. In fact, under Law Number 11 of 2010 on Cultural Heritage, any use must ensure sustainability. This research aims to formulate strategies for the preservation and utilization of the Tomb of Tuanku Imam Bonjol to ensure its sustainable protection while providing benefits for the community. The methods employed include field observations, interviews, and literature studies with a cultural heritage management approach. The findings indicate that preservation and utilization strategies should be directed toward four main aspects: (1) physical conservation and regular maintenance, (2) strengthening governance through collaboration between the government and the community, (3) public education to enhance preservation awareness, and (4) regulated utilization in line with educational, religious, and cultural functions. This study emphasizes that with appropriate and well-directed utilization, the preservation of the tomb can be maximized while generating both social and religious benefits.

Article Details

How to Cite
Mash’ud, I., & Marzuki, I. W. (2026). From Exile to Heritage: Efforts to Preserve the Tomb of Tuanku Imam Bonjol in North Sulawesi: Dari Pengasingan ke Warisan: Upaya Pelestarian Makam Tuanku Imam Bonjol di Sulawesi Utara. Berkala Arkeologi , 46(1), 89–110. https://doi.org/10.55981/jba.2026.11463
Section
Articles

References

Asworth, G.J., Brian Graham, and J.E. Tunbridge. 2007. Pluralising Pasts: Heritage, Identity and Place in Multicultural Societies. Pluto Book.

Carman, J. (2015). Archaeological resource management: An international perspective. In Archaeological Resource Management: An International Perspective. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139020473

Cleere, H. (1989). Introduction: The rationale of archaeological heritage management. In H. Cleere (Ed.), Archaeological Heritage Management in the Modern World (pp. 1-19). Unwin Hyman.

Damayanti, R. A. (2016). Morfologis bangunan Arsitektur Rumah Gadang dalam konteks kebudayaan Minangkabau. Jurnal Dimensi Seni Rupa Dan Desain, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.25105/dim.v11i1.425

Darvill, T. (2020). Archaeological resource management. In Ancient Monuments in the Countryside. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvxbpjgj.9

Direktorat Sejarah dan Nilai Tradisional. (1986). Monumen Perjuangan di Sulawesi Utara. Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan.

Fagan, B., Renfrew, C., & Bahn, P. (1992). Archaeology: Theories, Methods, and Practice. Journal of Field Archaeology, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.2307/530371

Feilden, B. M., & Jokilehto, J. (1998). Management guidelines for World Cultural Heritage Sites (2nd ed.). ICCROM.

Gao, J., & Jones, S. (2021). Authenticity and integrity in heritage conservation: Contemporary debates and challenges. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 27(4), 312–328. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527258.2021.1891470

Graham, B., Ashworth, G. J., & Tunbridge, J. E. (2000). A geography of heritage: Power, culture and economy. Arnold.

Holtorf, C., & Högberg, A. (2021). Cultural heritage and sustainability: A theoretical and practical framework. Routledge.

Holtorf, C., & Högberg, A. (2021). Cultural heritage and the future. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003081856

ICOMOS. (2021). Guidelines on religious heritage sites. International Council on Monuments and Sites. https://www.icomos.org

Jameson, J. H., & Musteaţă, S. (2019). Transforming heritage practice in the 21st century: Contributions from community archaeology. Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-79924-0

Jokilehto, J. (2020). A history of architectural conservation (2nd ed.). Routledge.

Meskell, L. (2018). A future in ruins: UNESCO, world heritage, and the dream of peace. Oxford University Press.

Marzoekie Ahmad, M. D. (n.d.). Tuanku Imam Bondjol Perintis Djalan Kemerdekaan. Penerbit Djembatan.

Mash’ud, I. (2021). Kearifan Lokal Epigrafi Islam Masa Majapahit pada Makam Nisan Troloyo. LIPI Press.

Masrun, O., Ferry, M., Koagouw, V. I. A., & Waleleng, G. (2016). Identitas etnik keturunan pengawal Imam Bonjol di Desa Lotta Kabupaten Minahasa. Acta Diurna Komunikasi, 5(2).

Nashir, H. (2008). Purifikasi Islam dalam Gerakan Padri di Minangkabau. Unisia, 31(69), 219–230. https://doi.org/10.20885/unisia.vol31.iss69.art1

Rozi, S. (2015). Dari Islam Radikal ke Islam Pluralis: Genealogi Gerakan Paderi dan Pengaruhnya terhadap Islam Pluralis di Perbatasan Minangkabau. Masyarakat Indonesia, 41(1).

Rozi, S. (2017). Negosiasi Islam Kultur Dalam Gerakan Paderi Rao Di Sumatera Tengah (1820-1833). KALAM, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.24042/klm.v6i1.396

Schouten, F. F. J. (1995). Heritage as historical reality. In D. T. Herbert (Ed.), Heritage, tourism and society (pp. 21–31). Mansell.

Silverman, H., & Ruggles, D. F. (Eds.). (2007). Cultural heritage and human rights. Springer.

Simon, B. G. (1992). Archaeological Heritage Management in the Modern World . By H. F. Cleere. . American Journal of Archaeology, 96(1). https://doi.org/10.2307/505765

Smith, L., & Waterton, E. (2013). Heritage, communities, and archaeology (2nd ed.). Bloomsbury Academic. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781350125084

Timothy, D. J., & Olsen, D. H. (Eds.). (2006). Tourism, religion and spiritual journeys. Routledge.

Umaternate, S., V Wuisang, C. E., & Van Rate, I. J. (2016). Arahan Pengembangan Kawasan Cagar Budaya Makam Tuanku Imam Bonjol Sebagai Kawasan Strategis Kabupaten Minahasa, Desa Lotta, Kabupaten Minahasa. Spasial, 3(3).

Undang-Undang Republik Indonesia Nomor 11 Tahun 2010 Tentang Cagar Budaya, (2010).

UNESCO. (2003). Convention for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000132540

UNESCO. (2011). Preparing World Heritage nominations: A resource manual. UNESCO World Heritage Centre. https://whc.unesco.org/en/resourcemanuals/

UNESCO. (2015). World Heritage and sustainable development: Policy document. UNESCO Publishing. https://whc.unesco.org/en/sustainabledevelopment/

UNESCO. (2019). Operational guidelines for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention. World Heritage Centre. https://whc.unesco.org/en/guidelines/

UNESCO. (2021). Managing World Heritage: Good governance toolkit. UNESCO World Heritage Centre. https://unesdoc.unesco.org/

Urry, J., & Larsen, J. (2011). The tourist gaze 3.0 (3rd ed.). Sage Publications.

Waterton, E., & Smith, L. (2010). The recognition and misrecognition of community heritage. International Journal of Heritage Studies, 16(1–2), 4–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527250903441671

Weiss, L. (2006). Heritage of Value, Archaeology of Renown: Reshaping Archaeological Assessment and Significance. American Anthropologist, 108(2). https://doi.org/10.1525/aa.2006.108.2.425.2

Yetti, E. (2008). Penulisan Sejarah Perang Padri Dalam Karya Sastra Melayu Sebuah Studi Bandingan. ATAVISME, 11(2). https://doi.org/10.24257/atavisme.v11i2.332.25-34