Lasut
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Lasut is a native Indonesian family name. Originating from the northern part of Indonesia, an area what is called Minahasa, on the tip of the island Sulawesi/Celebes. See map of Indonesia, map of Sulawesi, map of Minahasa. Ruru Ares Lolong Lasut was the fonder of the settlement now known as the Manado City, Capital City of Minahasa (North Sulawesi Province), one of the 27 provices of Indonesia.
People from this province called themselves Manadonese or Minahasan. Minahasa itself is also more often called Manado in a more simple way. Another name for the Manadonese people is Kawanua. Kawanua means brother/sister in Bahasa Manado (bahasa = language). A popular Manadonese greeting would be something like. “ Hai I'm Kawanua, from which village do you come from? “
Most Indonesian people have a family name. A family name allows one to determine which part of Indonesia someone comes from. Either from Java, Manado, Ambon, Bali, Batak, etc. Some Manadonese family names are; Supit, Pontoh, Kalontah, Rumayar, Kalisaran, Waroka, Muntu, Mandagi, Palar, Wenas etc. Some native first names for the boys are; Toar, Matindas etc. For the girls; Pingkan etc.
The earliest time the Lasut family name to be known comes from Minahasa. Ruru Ares/Lolong Lasut originate from the Tombulu tribe. His father was Rewa and they live in a village called Kinilow, a district in the mountainside of North Sulawesi. Ruru Ares an explorer and a great worrier for his time. Lolong Lasut was his name when he became chief tribe man. Ruru Ares alias Lolong Lasut lived around 1450-1520. Two Portuguese Captains, Antonio de Abreu and Juan de Avedo, mentioned his name in their ship log books when they first landed in Manado for water and trading. Ruru Ares died November 1520.
Ruru Ares had a brother named Wuaya. Wuaya traveled around the mountainside and settled at the shore of Lake Tondano. This settlement has now grown into a town now called Tondano. Ruru Ares as an explorer on his journey through the jungle came across other small groups of people living together. He married and his family and friends followed him on his journey. At the end of his journey he reaches the seashore where he settled. This settlement is called Wenang and later called Manado. At this settlement his follower took Ruru Ares as their group leader and called him Lolong Lasut. Lolong means tribe leader. Ruru Ares Lolong Lasut was known as a wise leader and had strong influence among other tribes in his neighboring settlement. He was a prominent figure at his time. In about the 1960 the Governor of North Sulawesi erected a monument (a replica of Ruru Ares Lolong Lasut) at Wenang Square the center of the city of Manado; not far from where is was buried.
In time agricultural become popular for living as well for trading. Their main trading crops where Coconut, Clove and Nutmeg which had demands from foreign traders such as China and Portugal, and later the Dutch (VOC). The Dutch demise tribal groups. The land became registered properties and Lasut became a big land lord, spanning from Tikala district to Paldua district to Tonsea district.
Minahasa became very westernized, it became a very busy trading place for Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany, Britain and the Netherlands. This led to many mix marriages. The Manadonese people usually have a very fair skin, close to creamy yellow. According to Anthropology studies about the migration of the human race the Indonesian race was originated from China.
Arie Frederik Lasut who was born on 6 July 1918 in Tondano, became a National Hero in 1940. He initially worked as a Clerk for the Dutch Department of Economics Government in Jakarta. He then worked at the Department of Mining in Bandung. As Indonesia was struggling for independence from the Dutch reign, Arie Lasut became an informant for the Indonesians. He stole many mining maps and other information from the Dutch. Sadly though the Dutch captured, imprisoned and executed Arie. He was later declared a National Hero when Indonesia regained independence.
Willy Lasut, Arie Lasut’s younger brother was a crucial part of the resistance against the Dutch. From his humble beginnings as a soldier to his triumphant role as general in the 1960’s. Early in President Soeharto’s regime, Willy Lasut was appointed as Governor for the provice of North Sulawesi/Minahasa. He tried hard to develop his native homeland. But because the central govenmet was very corrupt he had a hard time. As a soldier and a very discipline person, not a diplomat, he became very idealistic for Minahasa. Minahasa became very prosperous. Willy did direct trading with the Netherlands and Australia which the central government was not happy with his actions. The central government suspected Willy became rich because of the prosperity in Minahasa, they requested donations not for the government but for the big bosses in Jakarta. As a good Christian follower Willy was against corruption. He got in trouble. He was requested to come back to Jakarta for another post, which he rejected. He was a good and honest leader. But President Soeharto was very strong so Willy lost his job. Now he lives a simple life as a retired general.
The Manadonese are mostly Christians, only a few are Catholics. The same with the Lasuts in Indonesia. The majority of the Lasuts are Protestants.
Bit about history of Minahasa. Anthropologist / historian find a big rock near the town of Airmadidi in Tonsea district which must be dated long before Dotu Lolong Lasut. They suspect about the year 1100. 21 big marks/lines was carved on that rock around the rock. They suspect this was a meeting point of 21 tribes that has agreed for peace and live in harmony. They came periodically to this rock to discuss and maintain peace.
The 21 Tribes Chiefs were Dotu Karamoy, Dotu Manampiring, Dotu Runtuwarow, Dotu Runtukahu, Dotu Oley, Dotu Maramis, Dotu Kaseger, Dotu Ruruwallah, Dotu Rorintudus, Dotu Mamarimbang, Dotu Mongdong, Dotu Wangke, Dotu Soloy Kaunang, Dotu Roring Pandey, Dotu Mantiri, Dotu Saidi Pongoh, Dotu Pangemanan, Dotu Kalalo, Dotu kalalo Luntungan, Dotu Tangka Warouw, Dotu Petus.
