Born: 1880 (Palopo, Dutch East Indies)
Died: 1964 (Palopo, Indonesia)
Biography:
Opu Daeng Risaju, born in 1880 in Palopo, Dutch East Indies, was a prominent Indonesian independence activist. Known for her fearless resistance against Dutch colonization, she dedicated her life to fighting for the freedom of her homeland. In recognition of her significant contributions, she was posthumously honored as a National Hero of Indonesia in 2006.
Born Famajjah to Muhammad Abdullah To Baresseng and Opu Daeng Mawellu, Opu Daeng Risaju hailed from a Buginese community in Luwu, located in South Sulawesi. Following her marriage to H. Muhammad Daud, she adopted the regal name Opu Daeng Risaju, which she carried with pride throughout her life. A devout Muslim, she wore the hijab as a symbol of her faith.
Although Opu Daeng Risaju entered into political activism relatively late in life, she quickly made a significant impact. At the age of forty-seven, she joined the Indonesian Islamic Union Party (PSII) in Parepare in 1927. Growing in popularity and influence within the nationalist movement, she rose through the ranks of the PSII’s organization, eventually becoming the chairman of a local branch established by her in Palopo in 1930.
In 1933, Opu Daeng Risaju attended the Indonesian Islamic Union Congress in Batavia (now Jakarta), further enhancing her political standing. However, her growing agitation and popularity led to the revocation of her peerage by the Dutch government in Masamba, and she was subsequently arrested and charged with sedition. From 1934 onward, she endured a fourteen-month imprisonment, forced labor, and brutal torture.
Even after her release, Opu Daeng Risaju remained undeterred in her pursuit of independence. Throughout the Japanese occupation, she continued to travel and establish PSII branches throughout South Sulawesi. However, her unwavering dedication to freedom once again led to her arrest and transfer between various prisons following the surrender of Japan. During this period, she suffered further torture, resulting in permanent deafness and the loss of one eye.
In 1949, Opu Daeng Risaju relocated to Pare-Pare to live with her son Abdul Kadir Daud. After a life filled with relentless struggle, she passed away on 10 February 1964, at the age of eighty-four. She was laid to rest in the cemetery of the rulers of Luwu in Lokkoe, Palopo.
Today, Opu Daeng Risaju’s legacy continues to inspire and serve as a testament to the strength and determination of women in the fight for freedom and independence. In 2006, she was posthumously granted the honor of National Hero of Indonesia, joining the ranks of a select few women who have received this prestigious recognition.
Awards:
– National Hero of Indonesia (2006)