Larenggam's Forgotten Cave

oleh Karter Mahole pada 14 November 2011 jam 2:03

Dozens of warships arrived in the Netherlands East Indies Army Islands waters
Talaud, North Sulawesi. The incident occurred around the end of the 19th century.
The ships were ready to storm the small kingdoms in
about Talaud Islands. Initially, the leader of the Dutch army
negotiations with the small kings there. The Netherlands expressed
his desire to enter the territory of northern Indonesia.

However, small kings were rejected. They do not want the Indian army
Holland entered and ransacked their territory. Included among the
The little king was King Larenggam. The king is the king of small Larenggam
which controls most of the island is located north Karakelong
Talaud Islands. The king did not want his people colonized by the Dutch
as happened in the vicinity of Ternate.



King Larenggam reluctance to give up apparently infuriated the leadership
Dutch army. Dozens of ships and then deployed to surround the Island
Karakelong. Larenggam king was preparing his troops for the last
Dutch troops from attack. But, the wife of King got another opinion.
Empress is known to have supernatural abilities, which can
predict, give advice to the King. As a personal adviser to the King
Larenggam, the Empress said that the royal troops are not
may be able to resist the Dutch soldiers who have the weapons that
more severe.

"But there is one way to deal with them. You have to open pants
so that those weapons do not explode and we could attack them, "
said the empress. Hearing it, King Larenggam not
easy to believe. He hesitated. Do you have to hear the advice of the Empress
that silly? Once weighed, weighing over one day and night,
King decided to remain against the Dutch without using a
proposed empress.

Larenggam Royal Dutch finally attacked with guns and
cannon. Kingdom ravaged. Larenggam king besieged in the
court and not come out. Dutch soldiers were burning the palace.
King, Queen and some of their children burned alive in
the Castle.

Cave Larenggam
The story becomes a background presence in the District Larenggam Cave
Talaud, North Sulawesi. Because the majority of troops Kingdom
Larenggam held in a cave located in the Village Arangkaa.
The village is also situated on the island Karakelong, Talaud District. The
Larenggam Kingdom warlords held in a musty cave
it. By the Dutch army, they were then slaughtered and their bodies placed
just inside the cave.

Now, the cave was a witness to the struggle of King Larenggam in
defend the country from the onslaught of Dutch colonizers. Largely
surrounding community have forgotten the name of the cave. But, given the history of the cave
they were then named as the Cave Larenggam. Cave Larenggam
actually be a potential for tourism Talaud District. Moreover Cave
It is located near the white sandy beach with blue ocean color
captivating.

In the court of the cave there are seats made of bamboo. Place
sit is not regular seating. Because, if we sit there,
will look beautiful ocean view with white sandy beaches.
Unfortunately, Cave Larenggam not so well maintained. A monument
indicating the existence of the cave was already beginning to look outdated. The name of the cave that
engraved on the monument was not seen again.

Entering the mouth of the cave, haunted atmosphere began to be felt. At the mouth of the cave there is a
a container that holds several skulls and bones.
That said, the skulls and bones that the bodies of the chiefs
King Larenggam war. To enter the cave that is in fact, be
through a fairly steep uphill road. The road was surrounded
tree roots are decades old. In fact, it may be
hundreds of years.

Unfortunately, the road climbed the steep stairs that are not made
so to get through it would exert a little effort and occasional
holding on to tree roots. But, Opa Rein is a keeper
I guarantee there are no wild animals, like snakes, which would
interfere with the trip. After climbing for about five minutes, Cave
Larenggam began to appear. Inside the cave atmosphere was haunted again.
The skulls Larenggam king's army also exist in the cave. Only
any amount more than that located at the mouth of the cave.

According to Yopie, community leaders about, was the actual objects
that is in the cave is not only the skull and bones that.
Some relics of the former Dutch possessions strewn around
the cave. Property such as ceramic plates, cups made of
brass, and some of trophy disappeared somewhere. The objects were
lost stolen and sold to the receiver antiques prices
tens of millions of dollars.

"According to what I hear, a ceramic plate with a size
large enough sold for forty million dollars, "he said.
It is unfortunate condition of the local population. The local government
local seems to give less attention to the place
it's historic. In fact, by looking at the struggle of King Larenggam in
dispels the Dutch colonizers, he could dubbed the nation's heroes.

Tourism Potential
District-owned tourism potential is not only Talaud
Cave Larenggam it. That area has beautiful natural charm sea.
The area is suitable to serve as sea tours.

Some villages in the District of Talaud, like the Village Gemeh and Arangkaa,
can be used as environmental attraction. The atmosphere of a quiet village
with a friendly population into a tourist attraction in itself. Moreover,
eco-tourism or ecotourism is currently known as the middle
wisat loved. Here tourists enjoy the atmosphere in
about tourist attractions. The place usually frequented by tourist
the villages. Travelers staying at home for a few villagers
day to enjoy the village atmosphere.

Some habits of residents in the Village Gemeh can be used as attractions for
tourists who want to enjoy tours of the neighborhood. One of them
is the Ships Today. On Day Ship, local residents
in droves to go to the beach in their village. They
awaiting the arrival of ships or boats that came from the city to
carrying goods of daily needs. The atmosphere on Day Ship
It is similar to the traditional market atmosphere.

Other than an act of sale, on the day the ship was usually also
become an arena up to do. Therefore, villagers who wander far
the city is also sometimes come on the Day Ship. Hospitality Village
Gemeh also become an interesting tourist attraction. Any guests staying
there must be regarded as the king. Grilled fresh fish dishes to be
villagers favorite menu for their guests.

Transportation Constraints
The main obstacle for the District Talaud to develop their area,
especially the potential of tourism, is transportation. Updates are
field team followed a group of PT Pacific Satellite Nusantara (PSN PT)
have to travel one day and night from Manado to the Village
Gemeh. The long journey undertaken PT PSN's field team for
installing a satellite telephone so that people in the village of Gemeh
no longer isolated from the outside world.

From Manado, we must use timber ship for Capital District
Talaud, Melonguane or so-called City of Melong. Transportation
Inter-island residents in this area is only served by boat
motors and two privately-owned timber ship pilot. Unfortunately, the ships
it only sailed three times a week and once a week for
pioneering cruise ships. That's if the weather is good and the sea is not
choppy. Rates for motor boats depart at USD 100 thousand.

Actually, in the City of Melonguane there is a small airport. Schedule
Melong flight from Manado to two times a week. Rates to use
aircraft was $ 300 thousand. But, once again, the flight schedule
highly dependent on the weather in the surrounding district Talaud. If the weather
worse, it could be no flights to get there for weeks.

From the Village Gemeh Melonguane to proceed with hiring
motor boat. The trip must be taken for at least four
hours. Actually, wooden motor boat from Manado is often also stopped at
Island Karakelong but his schedule is uncertain, depending whether or not
passenger ship that was going to get there. Motor boats are usually
anchored at the island's largest city Karakelong, namely the City Beo. From Beo
Gemeh to proceed with hiring a motorcycle. Long
travel about two hours.

But, this path should be set aside for a while first.
Because, in the middle of the journey, the contact bridge Beo and
Essang, collapsed. In fact, from Gemeh Essang to stay one hour
the trip again.

Clearly, the natural beauty of the island is tourism potential Karakelong
which can be dug deeper. Talaud District are just a few
years of stand-alone (had become one with the Sangihe
with the name of Sangihe-Talaud District) can make the sector
tourism as a source of revenue for the development of their region.

Traditional Talaud Clothes
the front of the cave after the renovation
Statue of Larenggam, heroes of Talaud
collection of the bones in the Larenggam Cave
the gate of the cave before it was restored




Mr. Wensy with his friends


Special thanks for Mr. Wensy, who has made the documentation photographs in this picture
Stories taken from : SUARA PEMBARUAN DAILY
Link: http://alt.nntp2http.com/sci/tech/indonesian/2006/09/25c782555773dda9cbc4fd9a2ec05d35.html