Photo : View of the Jere Milung Milung heritage site complex in North Sulawesi (Google documentation / courtesy).
The Indonesian (North Sulawesi) —His Majesty (HM) Prince Iftiqar S.A. Ponto, a prominent custodian of Nusantara customary law and a member of the Communication Forum of the Indonesian Customary Council (Majelis Adat Indonesia/MAI), has provided an official explanation regarding the existence and historical significance of the Jere Milung Milung Site, the burial ground of the ancestral kings and queens of the Bolangitang Kingdom in North Sulawesi.
The Jere Milung Milung Site is located in Langi Bolangitam Village, Bolangitang District, North Bolaang Mongondow Regency, directly along the Trans-Sulawesi Highway. Since the era of the kingdom, this area has been known as the final resting place of kings and queens from the Ponto-Pontoh lineage, the ruling family of the Bolangitang Kingdom.
In his capacity as a nationally recognized customary leader and as part of the Majelis Adat Indonesia (MAI) network, HM Prince Iftiqar emphasized that the site holds sacred, historical, and cultural significance inseparable from the identity of the Bolangitang people.
“The Jere Milung Milung Site is not merely a burial ground. It is a symbol of the continuity of customary law, historical sovereignty, and the dignity of the Bolangitang Kingdom. As a customary leader and a member of the Majelis Adat Indonesia, it is my responsibility to clarify history and safeguard this ancestral heritage,” he stated.
Genealogy of the Kings and Queens of the Bolangitang Kingdom
Buried at the Jere Milung Milung Site
Based on oral traditions and royal genealogical records, the following kings and queens of the Bolangitang Kingdom are interred at the Jere Milung Milung Site:
- Boki Nanggio
(Consort of King Daud Ponto-Pontoh) - King Israel Ponto-Pontoh
Third King of Bolangitang - King Togupat Ponto-Pontoh
Fourth King of Bolangitang - King Pade Ponto-Pontoh
Fifth King of Bolangitang - King Suit Sogosa Ponto-Pontoh
Sixth King of Bolangitang
In addition, King Togepat (Togupat) is also recognized as a significant figure in the royal leadership lineage of the Bolangitang Kingdom and is closely associated with the Jere Milung Milung Site as part of the royal burial complex.
HM Prince Iftiqar S.A. Ponto further stressed that preserving the Jere Milung Milung Site is not solely the concern of the royal family, but a shared responsibility encompassing customary law, cultural heritage, and national history, in line with the mission of the Majelis Adat Indonesia to safeguard the diverse ancestral heritage of the Indonesian archipelago.
“Nations may change over time, but custom and history must never be erased. These royal burial sites are tangible evidence of civilization and must be protected by all stakeholders—customary communities, local governments, and the state,” he asserted.
This press release reaffirms that the Jere Milung Milung Site of the Bolangitang Kingdom is a legitimate customary heritage site of high historical value and therefore deserves proper protection, preservation, and respect.
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Source: Compiled from various sources
Media Center: Majelis Adat Indonesia (MAI)
Editor: Prime News Post – Executive Editorial Team
