page_title: Gorontalo
section_title: Pre-Colonial era
hierarchical_section_title: Gorontalo / History / Pre-Colonial era
caption_attribution_description: Nederlands: foto. Vooraan ligt de "Raaf" van de Gouvernements Marine.. Schepen in de Baai van Gorontalo
context_page_description: Gorontalo is a province of Indonesia on the island of Sulawesi. Located on the Minahasa Peninsula, Gorontalo was formerly part of the province of North Sulawesi until its inauguration on 5 December 2000. In Indonesia history, the only Indonesian President from the Gorontaloan people is the 3rd President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. DR. Ing. B.J. Habibie. His father, Alwi Abdul Jalil Habibie comes from the "Habibie" clan.
  The provincial capital as well as the main gateway and the most populated city is Gorontalo City which is also famous for the nickname "Porch of Medina".
  This is because the kingdoms of Gorontalo have applied Islamic law as a basis for implementing the law, both in the fields of government, society and the courts.
  The total area of the province is 12,435 square kilometres with a population of 1,133,237 as of 2016 with population density of 88 inhabitants per km².
context_section_description: Gorontalo Peninsula has had some type of human civilization since approximately 1300 years ago. Historical records show a Kingdom of Suwawa as existing in 8th century CE. This is reinforced by the discovery of the tomb of their king, Moluadu, on the banks of the river Bulawa along with his wife and child.
  However, Gorontalo Peninsula did not just have historical records on the inscription King ancient tombs, but it also has prehistoric sites. Oluhuta sites, is a prehistoric site and has a prehistoric tomb in it. This may be evidence that Gorontalo has had very ancient civilization.
  Meanwhile, the city of Gorontalo is one of the oldest cities on Sulawesi in addition to the city of Makassar and Manado. It is estimated, Gorontalo has been around since approximately 400 years ago or around the 1500s in the 16th century. Previously Gorontalo City became one of the centers of Islamic religion in Eastern Indonesia, in addition to Ternate (now part of North Maluku Province).
  Along with the spread of the religion, Gorontalo city eventually became the center of education and commerce for surrounding region such as Bolaang Mongondow (North Sulawesi), Buol, Luwuk, Banggai, Donggala (Central Sulawesi) and even further towards Southeast Sulawesi. This is because of its strategic location, its position facing directly into the Gulf of Tomini (south) and the Sulawesi Sea (north).
  Before the colonial period Gorontalo was governed under customary law. Kingdoms were united in a bond of kinship called "Pohala'a". According to Haga (1931) there are five pohala'a Gorontalo area:
  Pohala'a Gorontalo
  Pohala'a Limboto
  Pohala'a Suwawa
  Pohala'a Bolango then be Pohala'a Boalemo
  Pohala'a Atinggola
  Based on the classification made by the customs Mr.C.Vollenhoven, the Peninsula Gorontalo included into 19 indigenous areas in Indonesia. Between religion and customs in Gorontalo was fused with the term "Adat bersendikan Syara 'and Syara' bersendikan Kitabullah". Pohalaa Gorontalo is the most prominent among the five Pohalaa. That is why Gorontalo is more widely known.
caption: Dutch ships in Gorontalo. Gorontalo was an important trading hub during the colonial era.
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