For centuries, history was recorded by Ferdynand Magellan and Juan Sebastián Elcano as the primary individuals who effectively circle the globe. Their names are engraved in textbooks, commemorative statues and epic stories in regards to the ocean conquest. But were they really the primary individuals who finished their journey world wide?
In the shadow of those two outstanding characters lies one other man whose story has been almost forgotten: EnriqueA person considered from the islands of Malucca (Molucca) in contemporary Indonesia.
He was neither a nobleman nor a fleet commander, but slightly a translator – enslaved. And yet many think that many are the primary one who really circled the earth.
Indonesian television host, actor, producer and politicians. Key world– A piece that not only presents a historical narrative, but additionally provides a message of pride for the Indonesian people. According to Helma, Enrique is a big figure who deserves to be remembered as a maritime hero of Nusantara.
“Indonesia is actually unusual, but unfortunately we regularly skip our own size,” said Helma through the premiere of his book in Jakarta (November 25, 2022). He emphasized that characters like Enrique prove that long before the European nations demanded marine supremacy, Nusantara sailors have already studied the world.
Who was Enrique?
Enrique first appeared in historical files as a slave purchased by Ferdinand Magellan on the slave market in Malakka in 1511. At that point it was thought that Enrique was in his early teenagers, perhaps about 14 years.
Its exact origin remains to be discussed. Various entries suggest that he could come from Sumatra, the islands of Maluk, and even from the Philippines. However, in Key worldBased on the research of Reinhard Tawas, which the book uses, Enrique is identified as from Maluk, the famous spice islands of European powers sought at the moment.
What distinguished Enrique was his language ability. He ran in several languages of Southeast Asia, a skill that made him the important translator through the Magellan expedition.
Even the King of Spain agreed to finance the journey to partially find the “Islands of spices” due to his confidence in Enrique’s skills and knowledge he had.
Travel world wide
In 1519, the fleet led by Magellan – referred to as Muluccas navy—Set sails from Spain. Enrique joined the expedition, not as a slave, but as an official translator, winning the next salary than the expedition chronicler, Antonio Pigafetta.
Enrique played a key role in combining communication between the European crew and native populations, which they encountered in several parts of the world.
History later notes that Magellan was killed in 1521 through the fight with the forces of King Lapu-Lap on Mactan within the Philippines. After the death of Magellan, the fleet command was given to Juan Sebastián Elcano, who successfully returned the one surviving ship, Victoriato Spain in 1522
There is the incontrovertible fact that Enrique has not returned to Spain. After the death of Magellan, Enrique disappeared from historical history. However, in keeping with many researchers and historians, it is very likely that Enrique has reached his homeland in Southeast Asia, which suggests that he could finish the lap of the world before Elcano.
Debate on its beginnings
The beginnings of Enrique have long been the topic of debate. In Pigafetta’s relations, it is claimed that Enrique is from Sumatra, but since he was purchased in a malak, he became referred to as Enrique of Malacc. This often led to the confusion between Malakka (in today’s Malaysia) and Maluk (in today’s Indonesia).
In Malaysia, Enrique appears within the literature as Avant commanderWhile within the Philippines some historians say that he got here from Visayas, the central region of the country. Some even suggest that he comes from Cakar, Cebu.
However, many historians say that Enrique’s liquidity in Malay doesn’t necessarily prove that he was a Filipino, but slightly reflects the status of Malay as Lingua Franca within the sea region of Southeast Asia at the moment.
Regardless of its exact origin, the history of Enrique represents deep historical and cultural mutual connections of the region, which we all know as Southeast Asia, long before dividing contemporary national borders.
Enrique within the shadow of history
Unfortunately, global history largely focused on European characters. Enrique, who was neither a nobleman, an official chronicle, nor a part of any colonial institution, appears only as a footnote within the history of an awesome trip.
He didn’t receive the identical recognition as Elcano or Magellan, although he could cross it in some of the monumental achievements: completing the lap of the world.
Heritage price behavior
The history of Enrique doesn’t only apply to who first circled the earth. It reflects the story that has long been told from the dominant perspective. It is a logo of how people from Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, have made a big contribution to the history of the world, a contribution that was often neglected.
“There are great Indonesian characters. We must not forget that our sailors were unusual,” said Helmy Yahya.
Perhaps the time has come for us to stop to be extraordinary viewers of history and start to rewrite an awesome narrative – this time, including names resembling Enrique, a sailor from Maluk, as proof that we also left our trace within the history of the world.
Source:
- https://www.goodnewsfromindonesia.id/2022/11/27/novel-clavis-mundi-kisah-enrique-penjelah-bumi-pertama-asaal -indonesia
- https://kumparan.com/kumparanhits/helmy-yahya-kenalkan-mienalel-dengan-sosok-enrique-maluku-novel-terbaruny-1zkgzvis0l2/full
- https://opinion.inquirer.net/134991/enrique-magellans-elusive-slave
- https://magellanproject.org/tag/enrique/
- https://kumparan.com/potongan-tostalgia/enrique-de-malacca-pria-maluku-yang-pertama-kali-mengeliiling-dunia-1v5nyipeipe2lf/full
- https://www.kompas.com/stori/read/2024/08/31/140000979/enrique-de-malacca-budak-yang-pertama-kali-Mengelilingi-Dunia
