Identity area
Reference code
MOWCAP 2024
Title
The Tambo Tuanku Imam Bonjol Manuscript
Date(s)
- 1772 – 1864 (Creation)
Level of description
Collection
Extent and medium
Context area
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
The Tambo Tuanku Imam Bonjol (TTIB) is a single manuscript (codex unicus) in the world. This manuscript was written by the son of Tuanku Imam Bonjol (1772 – 1864) named Naali Sutan Caniago while he accompanied Tuanku Imam Bonjol's exile in Manado. In general, this manuscript contains a summary of the history of the Padri War in West Sumatra in the 19th century. The manuscript consists of three parts: the first part is about the memoirs of Tuanku Imam Bonjol; the second is the memoirs of Naali Sutan Caniago; the last one is the minutes of two meetings held in the Minangkabau highland in 1865 and
- The main message of the TTIB manuscript is the awareness of Tuanku Imam Bonjol that egalitarianism and peace must be put forward rather than war. For the people of West Sumatra or Minangkabau, Imam Bonjol is claimed to be the leader of a reformist school and also a community leader in defending his land from invaders. His role in West Sumatra is taught in schools so that every citizen in the region and also in Indonesia recognizes him as a national hero.