Gowa Edition: Tamalate Palace of Gowa Kingdom and the House of Greatness (Balla Lompoa)

Balla Lompoa (A House of Greatness)

The Palace of Tamalate is the first palace construction of Gowa Kingdoms before the king’s centre was moved into the Port of Somba Opu. Nevertheless, The Tamalate Palace that we can see today is only a replica that was built in1980s; while the real one was damaged by time. The material and size of Tamalate Palace is adjusted to the original based on the study of a number of Makassar ancient manuscripts which tell the story of the Tamalate Palace.

Tamalate Palace

The Tamalate Palace and Balla Lompoa (in Makassar Language means a Big House or a House of Greatness) is a reconstruction of the palace of Gowa Kingdom that was built during the reign of the 31^st King of Gowa, named I Mangngi mangngi Daeng Matutu, in 1936. The building architecture is a typical of Bugis-shaped house, which is a stage-house with a two-meter height ladder to get into the patio space. The whole building is made of ironwood, built in a one-hectare area, surrounded by a high wall. This building is now used as a museum.

 This museum keeps a collection of relics of Gowa Kingdoms. In the main room you can see the family pedigree of the Kings of Gowa, from the 1^st King, Tomanurunga, in the 13^th century up to the last King, Sultan Moch. Abdulkadir Aididdin A. Idjo Karaeng Lalongan, 1947 – 1957. A throne is placed in the middle of the room. Some tools of war, such as spears, old cannons, and Lalong Sipue – an umbrella used on a king’s inauguration, are also displayed in this room.

Balla Lompoa has around 140 relics collections of the Kingdom of Gowa; many made of gold and gemstones, such as crown, bracelets, buttons, necklaces, daggers, etc.

In the King’s personal room, there is a crown in the cone-shape of lotus (five petals) which weighs 1.768 grams studded 250 diamonds; and also a Tatarapang which is a golden dagger weighing 986.5 grams with a length of 51 cm and a width of 13cm. This dagger (keris) is a gift from the Kingdom of Demak in Java Island.

Besides those jewels, there are also some other collections such as spears, papyrus manuscripts, and two pieces of Koran that was hand-written in 1848.

What’s interesting related to this museum is a traditional ceremony called Accera Kalompong. Accera Kalompong is a ceremony held to cleaning the heirlooms stored in the museum. This ritual is done on Eid Al-Adhas. As the prayer finished, the ceremony is held.

Heirloom weapons such as daggers (keris), machetes and spears get special treatment. They are rubbed with fragrant oil, strands of bamboo and lime. This ceremony is witnessed by the descendants of the Kings of Gowa and is open to public. Those who would like to witness the ceremony are subject to wear Makassar traditional costumes.

Besides those heirlooms, there are also some other collections given from other kingdoms abroad, such as a necklace from the Zulu Kingdom, the Philippines in the 16^th century; 3 golden spears, a long machete, and a pure gold penning from the British Empire in 1814; and a gold medal as a gift from Dutch.

If you wanna visit this place, the museum is open on Monday – Thursday at 08:00 – 16:00 and on Fridays at 08:00 – 11:00. The location is easy to reach by public transportation. It is located in Jalan Sultan Hasanuddin No. 48, Sungguminasa – Somba Opu, in Gowa regency, South Sulawesi; it is only around 15-20 kilometers from the center of Makassar.