Moluccan Red Jackets! A Woman's Figure Comes From The Mist, Burns Fighting Power Until The VOC Shakes With Fear

MALUKU - Never leave history (Red Jacket). That was Bung Karno's expression in his speech as President of Indonesia so that the children of this nation never forget how this nation became.

The expression of the Red Jacket is also appropriate for the Hatuhaha community on Haruku Island, Central Maluku Regency, Maluku Province. There were important figures, fighters and orators who raised the spirit of the people to confront the invaders.

As stated by Archeologist Muhammad Al Mujabuddawat about the gait of Monia Latuwaria, a female figure who led the Alaka II war in 1625-1637.

"Monia Latuwaria, a female figure who played an important role in the victory of the Hatuhaha community in the Alaka II war against Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie (VOC)," said archaeologist Muhammad Al Mujabuddawat from the Maluku Archeology Center in Ambon, Antara, Monday, November 8.

He said that based on the oral tradition of the people of Haruku Island, it was said that there was a female figure who led the Hatuhaha community in the war against the VOC in the Alaka State which is on the top of the Alaka hill. The character is named Monia Latuwaria.

Monia Latuwaria is depicted as a strong and brave woman who raises the fighting spirit of the Hatuhaha people when their leader, Pati Hatuhaha, dies in the war.

He came from the fog carrying coconut shells filled with ashes and with great enthusiasm.

Shouting loudly heard words and raised the spirits of the fighters in Alaka 'Malonae, imi piri imi wa au ala mau wake eru.' Which means "Hey, male warriors, give me your pants so I can put them on".

"The figure of Monia Latuwaria is said to have appeared in a situation when the spirit of the Hatuhaha fighters in Alaka declined and seemed discouraged by the death of Pati Hatuhaha," said Muhammad.

The researcher in the field of historical archeology said that as told by the community, Monia Latuwaria not only encouraged the Hatuhaha fighters to continue their resistance to colonialism, she even participated in and directly led the Alaka II war.

After shouting to raise the spirits of the Hatuhaha fighters, Monia Latuwaria immediately took the ashes that had been provided at a guard post near Alaka Fort, then one by one coconut shells filled with ashes were thrown repeatedly down the valley ravine towards the VOC troops who were trying to climb the valley. to the land of Alaka.

He and the Hatuhaha fighters cut the ropes binding the large logs and rolled them down into the valley ravine to crush the VOC troops. The colonial troops who were crushed by the logs were immediately helpless, then they were massacred.

This situation forced Governor van Demmer, who witnessed the incident, to withdraw with his troops.

The Alaka War II which lasted for 12 years was won by the Hatuhaha people, and their territory became the only country in Maluku that the VOC troops had not succeeded in conquering.

"Monia Latuwaria not only gave encouragement to the Hatuhaha fighters but she also led the Alaka II war, after Pati Hatuhaha was killed," concluded Muhammad Al Mujabuddawat.