Dotu Lolong Lasut, A Pioneer In Created Manado City

MANADO, ZONAUTARA.com – Before the name of Manado City is widely known as the capital of North Sulawesi Province, it had known as Wenang.

Historically, Dotu Lolong Lasut is person who first opened and pioneered the place that eventually referred to as Ruru Ares. His presence around 1450-1520 year, as written on a monument in front of the Bank BNI Center in Pinaesaan Village, District Wenang, Manado City. Lolong Lasut has a very important role in the development of Ruru Ares.

Reymond Sumampouw, an academic in Sam Ratulangi University, when met  Zona Utara journalists at his residence in Pineleng Graha village, Pineleng Sub-district, Saturday (20/1/2018), explains that Lolong Lasut is respected in Walak Lotta.

According to Reymond, Lolong Lasut never lost the battle, especially if he had pulled a machete from the holster. Although not in a war situation, he used to pull out his machete when angry.

“This makes Lolong Lasut respected and feared at the time,” he explained.

In the era of the 1400s, residents were do buy and sell transactions through the trading system. At that time the merchants came from Manado Tua, and traded in Ruru Ares region. Unfortunately the merchants were often killed by citizens, then the Portuguese called Lolong Lasut to guard the traders.

“Around the era of the 1470s to the 1480s Lolong Lasut finally leaved Walak Lotta and opened Ruru Ares,” he added.

Since he arrived at the area known as the location of Taman Kesatuan Bangsa (TKB), Lolong Lasut and some of his followers, directly Kumakas Duaya (cut off weeds) and built a place for them to live.

“The location then became known as Ruru Ares (District of Ares) the first and the old,” he said.

In Ruru Ares had many Wenang trees, finally the name of Wenang be substituted Ruru Ares, which later turned into Manado.

To be remember, established monument-shaped sculpture of Lolong Lasut in the middle of the city, precisely in TKB.

Editor : Christo Senduk