The emergence of early kingdoms in South Sulawesi

Abstract

Pactum subjectionis or governmental contract is a covenant or compact between the ruler and the ruled envisaging their mutual rights and responsibilities (Riekerk quoting Catlin, 1962: 12; Abidin 1971: 159; and Harvey 1974: 18). Among the early states discussed by various scholars, e.g., Claesen and Skalnik 1978, Geertz 1979, Selo Soemarajan his/her 1978, Coedes 1967, Hall and Whitmore 1976, Reid and Castles 1975, none subscribed to the practice of governmental contracts, except Bone in South Sulawesi. Despite its uniqueness, to my knowledge, nothing has been written on the pactum subjectionis of early kingdoms in South Sulawesi, nor has any research been undertaken on this subject.