The History of Liurai Kamanasa (Suai-Kamanasa), Suri Nurak

"Understand the past, confront the present, and prepare for the future (Yuval Noah Harari")

I was first introduced to Liurai Kamanasa, also referred to as Liurai Suai-Kamanasa, when I delved into Chapter Eight of Frederic Durrand's History of Timor-Leste: The Manufahi Wars, 1895-1912. In this chapter, he notes that Liurai Kamanasa was involved in two significant Manufahi Wars, in 1895 and 1911. After reading this, I started to search for Liurai Kamanasa (Kingdom of Kamanasa) on Google, where I discovered several resources discussing this figure. The initial resource that provided insights into Liurai Kamanasa was Nordholt's The Political System of the Atoni of Timor, specifically Chapter Five, 'The Political Communities of Timor in the Pre-Colonial Era'. As you will see further on, he references Pigafetta's narrative of four rulers who governed Timor before the arrival of Europeans in the sixteenth century. Most Western and non-Western historians cite Pigafetta's account as the singular documented source describing Timor's history before European arrival.

Additionally, I came across a notable manuscript by Peter Spillet entitled The Pre-Colonial History of the Island of Timor Together with Some Notes on the Makasaan Influence in the Island. This manuscript is the only comprehensive text that captures Timor's oral traditions. The most recent publication mentioning Liurai Kamanasa is Therik's Wehali: The Female Land: Traditions of a Timorese Ritual Centre. Therik and Spillett derived their information from Katus Adat or Lia Na'in (traditional leaders).

In my quest to delve deeper into the beginnings of Liurai Kamanasa, Suri Nurak, I went to Suai Covalima from 11 November to 10 December 2024 to engage with Lia Na'in in Kamanasa. On 17 November 2024, I had an extraordinary gathering with elders from various Uma Lulik (sacred houses) to address several topics concerning the Fehan matrilineal culture. During this gathering, one of the Lia Na'in, Bei Rai Ulun from Uma Lusaen, Fatuisin, shared the origin myth and narrated how Liurai Kamanasa founded the Kingdom of Kamanasa. It was an exceptionally lengthy tale that could easily fill a book. Below is a condensed version of the narrative of Liurai Kamanasa, Suri Nurak, who governed the eastern region of Timor, now Timor-Leste, before the arrival of the Portuguese in the sixteenth century.

A very long time ago, Liurai Luka in Wekeke (Viqueque), governed the eastern region of Timor from Suai to Lospalos. This traditional royal regime was called Suri Tuan (ancient government), and many individuals called this old system Ukun sanulu, badu sanulu, tara lia sanulu (Ten governments, ten rules, ten laws). Liurai Luka organised his royal authority into three Loro (Suns). This government by a traditional monarchy is called Sadan Sorun Tolu, which means Three Sacred Branches. He used a conventional legal term, Loro (Sun), for areas under his rule, including Suai, Raimia, and Maunfahe (Same). He named the Loro (Sun) in order of seniority: Loro Mane Kawa'ik Suai Loro (the eldest Loro), Loro Mane Klaran Raimia (the middle Loro), and Loro Mane Ikun Tiris Wetanu or Betano (the youngest Loro).

Suri Tuan's government fell apart for unclear reasons, leading to chaos throughout all areas of Timor-Leste. Hotu-hotu hakara boot hotu, hotu-hotu hakara ukun hotu nebee ema haak; Sama ba Ikun, Ulun Nakfoit, Sama ba Ulun, Ikun Nakfoit (Everyone desired power, everyone aspired to lead, which we figuratively express as Stepping on the tail makes the head rise, and stepping on the head makes the tail rise). Consequently, a conflict known as Funu Abarekot, Funu Maurekot (chaotic war) erupted. Individuals clashed with one another day and night, devoid of laws or authority. As a result, there arose a need for a new King with robust leadership to restore order and governance in Timor-Leste. This new King was Liurai Suri Nurak, who resided in Tibaki, Wehali, Betun, West Timor. He embarked on a journey to Suai Covalima to establish a new Kingdom called the Kingdom of Kamanasa, referred to in Tetun as Liurai Kamanasa, also known as Liurai Suai-Kamanasa.

Upon his arrival in Suai Covalima, before establishing his new regime, Suri Nurak had to confront a conflict with the inhabitants of the mountains. The leader of these mountain dwellers was Bere Taran Mauk Taran. Taran la lora, suran la lora. Se mak lora, ita Kamanasa mak lora (He was as formidable as thorns and grass thorns. Who cleared the thorns; we, the Kamanasa people, removed the thorns). This battle against Bere Taran Mauk Taran occurred in Lohorai, near Kamanasa Village in Timor-Leste.

When Bere Taran Mauk Taran heard that Suri Nurak had reached Suai Covalima, he and his soldiers, equipped with machetes, swords, bows and arrows, started moving towards Lohorai. As they arrived, they shouted in excitement and hurled their weapons into the sky to intimidate Liurai Suri Nurak and his troops. Liurai Suri Nurak, however, remained composed and did not feel threatened by the Bere Taran Mauk Taran warriors. Instead of engaging with traditional arms against the Mauk Taran soldiers, he used potent magic to confront the Bere Taran Mauk Taran forces. His magical abilities resembled hypnosis. When the Bere Taran Mauk Taran soldiers drew near, just a few metres away, Suri Nurak exhaled forcefully through his nose, causing all the Mauk Taran soldiers to collapse to the ground and perish. When he coughed, the soldiers woke from the dead. Suri Nurak did this three times, then ordered his men to hunt down Bere Taran Mauk Taran and cut off his head. They brought his head to show to all the villages, celebrated with a great party and then hung his head in the street to let the people know that he was dead. Suri Nurak declared that he had defeated Bere Taran Mauk Taran by saying in a short poem in Tetun Fehan, Kamanasa kahaek kola rai nee, kamanasa dei, kahaek dei, kamanasa kahaek kola rai nee (I only laugh to win this land, laugh to myself, laugh out loud, I laugh out loud to win the land). He did not use weapons to defeat Bere Taran Mauk Taran; he only used his magical power.

After the Funu Abarekot, Funu Maurekot (chaotic war) ended, Liurai Suri Nurak founded a new realm, which he named Liurai Kamanasa, also referred to as Liurai Suai-Kamanasa (Kingdom of Kamanasa or Suai-Kamanasa), and he was crowned as the inaugural King. This newly established Kingdom became the most significant in Suai Covalima, governing Suai and other regions in Timor-Leste until the Portuguese invasion. He restored law and order across all areas in Timor-Leste and appointed new leaders for each region headed by a Loro (Sun). He changed the name of the government from Sadan Sorun Tolu to Sadan Sorun Tolu Kamanasa. These Loro would convene regularly in Kamanasa Village. Rather than holding their meetings in private homes, they gathered beneath the shade of certain trees in Kamanasa. This place was in use until 2015 when the government decided to remove the trees due to concerns that they were blocking air traffic (see Chapter Seven on traditional customs).

The new traditional monarchy government under Liurai Suri Nurak was as follows:

1. Loro Mane Kawa'ik Suai Loro (the eldest Loro), Loro Nubataek Suai Nai'in. This Loro ruled various regions, including Tilomar, Fohoren, Fatumia, Fatululik, and Maukatar.
2. Loro Mane Klaran Raimia (the middle Loro), Loro Nain Buratak Raimia Nai'in. This Loro was responsible for Raimia and surrounding areas such as Kasa, Aiasa, Kutu Baba, Kailako, Atabae, Balibo from Tasi Mane to Tasi Feto (Male Sea to Female Sea).
3. Loro Mane Ikun Tiris Wetanu or Betano (the youngest Loro), Loro Na'in Dilori Taek Rai Tiris. This Loro governed areas from Luka, Wekeke (Viqueque), Baukau up to Lospalos from Tasi Mane (Male Sea) to Tasi Feto (Female Sea).

Ultimately, Liurai Kamanasa, Suri Nurak, came to govern the eastern region of Timor Island, present-day Timor-Leste. No one else held authority over Timor-Leste besides Liurai Kamanasa, the Kingdom of Kamanasa. Thus concludes the tale!

Alongside the oral history recounted by Lia Na'in in Kamanasa, Timor-Leste, Antonio Pigafetta became the first European adventurer to document Liurai Kamanasa. He was aboard the ship Victoria, which belonged to Ferdinand Magellan. Ferdinand Magellan was a prominent explorer who spearheaded the Spanish expedition around the globe and met his end in the Philippines in 1521. After his death, his crew continued their journey on Victoria and sailed past Timor Island. Upon reaching Batugede Beach in 1522, Pigafetta engaged with local inhabitants and recorded in his journal that four brothers appeared to be the Kings of Timor Island. He wrote in his journal:

On the other side of the island, there are four brothers, who are the king of that island. Where we were there were towns and a number of their chiefs. The names of the communities of these four kings are: Oebich, Lichsana, Suai and Cabanaza. (Nordholt, 1971:160).

Nordholt believes that Oebich was Wehali, the largest Kingdom. Also known as Wewiku-Wehali, it was ruled by a highly skilled executive ruler of South Belu who was considered a political icon among the smaller kingdoms on Timor Island. Lichsana is still unknown to most historians.

Antonio Pigafetta probably misheard or misinterpreted the two names mentioned by the local population. According to the Lia Nai'n (traditional leaders), there was only one Kingdom called the Kingdom of Suai-Kamanasa, as mentioned in a history recorded by Jonker in Amabi as follows:

A long, long time ago there was one ruler of this island in Babiko-Behali (i.e. Waiwiku-Wehali). The ritual ruler of this realm had three subordinate rulers (liurai) immediately under him, each of whom exercised the executive power in his own territory. The first liurai was the liurai of South Belu itself, the second was Sonba'i, and the third was the liurai of Suai-Kamanasa, the Belu area in Portuguese Timor (Nordholt, 1971: 159).

The existence of Liurai Suai-Kamanasa demonstrates that the Fehan people of Suai Covalima lived in a civilised society with a cohesive traditional social and political organisation like many other societies worldwide. They had a simple administrative structure headed by a local King or Liurai who was responsible for creating and maintaining law and order in the community. They lacked a writing system, but that is not to say they were savage or uncivilised. Without a writing system, they successfully governed themselves until strangers from a distant place in Europe arrived.

Liurai Suai-Kamanasa and its Kings ruled over Suai Covalima and other areas for thousands of years until the early twentieth century. During their long reign, they collaborated with other smaller Kingdoms to manage sandalwood trade with the Chinese, the Portuguese, and other foreign traders. At that time, sandalwood was the sole source of income for the Timorese Kings and their people. Moreover, Liurai Suai-Kamanasa and Liurai Raimea collaborated closely with Liurai Maunfahe Boaventura to expel the Portuguese from Timor-Leste.

In West Timor, the Lia Na'in (senior traditional leaders) of Kamanasa, Betun, recounted that Liurai Suri Nurak had no offspring, leaving the royal lineage without a successor. To fill the void left by the Kingdom of Kamanasa, the senior members convened a special gathering to decide on a new ruler. After careful deliberation, they decided that the person living with the King, whether an elder Mako'an or someone else, would ascend to the throne. This choice was made based on the lineage of the house rather than the individual. Once a new ruler was chosen, the house was renamed "Rumah Amanas" in Tetun "Uma Amanas". This account is somewhat confusing as the names of the subsequent rulers after Suri Nurak were unknown, including those of the third, fourth, and fifth, but the last ruler was certainly Na'i Klaran. (Spillett, 1999). There were likely several kings before Na'i Klaran. This is a drawback of the oral tradition; the Mako'an (wise elders) failed to pass on the names of the subsequent rulers to the younger generations of Kamanasa. Despite the gaps in the story, we can share with the present and future generations of Kamanasa that Liurai Kamanasa or Liurai Suai-Kamanasa reigned before the Europeans arrived on Timor Island in the 16th century.

Liurai Kamanasa (kingdom of Kamanasa), known as Liurai Suai-Kamanasa, ruled over three expansive realms: Suai, Raimea, and Maunfahe. These realms were subject to tribute, a practice referred to as "Batar Fohon," where "Batar" denoted harvest, and "Fohon" signified the initial or Sama Fohon, the first threadings. Within the jurisdiction of Wehali, there existed four Loro, namely Lake Kono, Dirma, Wewiku, and Hatimuk. Other smaller realms existed alongside Liurai Suai-Kamanasa – including Wemea, Maunfahe, Fatumea, and Fohoren – all operated under Liurai Suai-Kamanasa's umbrella. It was Liurai Suai-Kamanasa who was responsible for Liurai Wehali. Liurai Wehali was considered the older brother, while Liurai Suai-Kamanasa was the younger brother. The last King of Suai-Kamanasa was Nai Klaran. (Spillett, 1999).

The lineage of Liurai Kamanasa, Suri Nurak, has been transmitted to various individuals lacking royal heritage. Following the final Liurai, Na'i Klaran, the Lia Na'in of Kamanasa, Suai, Timor-Leste, believe that Na'i Bau may have served as Liurai Kamanasa during the Maunfahe War from 1911 to 1912. Once the conflict concluded, he was unwilling to live as a servant for the Portuguese, thus transferring his authority to a person named Teti in Suai Loro, who governed the Fehan community in Suai until the end of World War II in 1945. Throughout World War II, Liurai Teti and Na'i Bere Loek of Kamanasa collaborated with the Japanese, supplying Fehan 'comfort women' to Japanese troops. Consequently, after Japan's surrender in 1945, the Portuguese reestablished their governance of Timor-Leste and imprisoned Liurai Teti and Na'i Bere Loek. Subsequently, the local Portuguese administration appointed another new Liurai who lacked royal lineage. Liurai Kalau Berek, commonly referred to as Liurai Kalau, ruled Suai until 11 August 1975 and passed away in 1982.

Since Liurai Kalau died in 1982, there has been no officially designated Liurai in Kamanasa. Nevertheless, Na'i Bau has numerous descendants residing in Fatuisin, Kamanasa, and one of them takes on the role of Liurai Kamanasa, referred to as Bei Lala. He acts as Katuas Adat for Kamanasa to address matters related to land and customary ceremonies, including the Timor-Leste government's oil exploration in a new area near Suai Covalima.