Tracing families in Indonesia

Tracing families in Indonesia

I will be visiting Indonesia, God willing. I am busy with a
project whereby I am trying to trace my ancestors who came from
Sumbawa island. From which village I don't know. I have in my
possession a Kitab (manuscript) with the names of my ancestors
and the island. The information was passed down from generation
to generation. They came with the Vrenigde Oost Indische
Compagnie (VOC), the Dutch shipping company, in 1743 and brought
Islam to the region. Today we still have our heritage and culture
from Indonesia. South Africa celebrated its 300 centenary on
Islam brought there by Sheik Yusuf.

I would very much like to get in touch with as many people as
possible who can assist me in this project. During the period
these pioneers, who were forced to come to work here, had their
names and surnames changed by the authorities. There were many
who came from noble families as well as royalty. All their
details were written down in Kitab, and they were kept in the
family and passed down.

Today they are still in the possession of many families. Some
of them got lost, some were taken to Mecca as no one could
translate them, others were buried at sea, etc.

On behalf of my family, my grandfather was named Buheya
Kariem. His name was Bakaar Manuel, that is the connection
between Imam Abdul Karriem. The other families who do not possess
Kitab, but know their ancestors came from Indonesia. They are the
Jaffers, Manuel, Abdol Gafiel, Salie, Jaloodien, the Solomons
also have a Kitab. There are so many other families as well, but
I'm mentioning them because I interviewed only them. In due time
I will visit all the others.

I would like to reunite families that were separated for 300
years by distance, the passage of time and faded memories. The
only link we have is Kitab and other materials and photos, etc.
If anyone can assist me, please write to me. I am also being
assisted by Erefaan Rabiep, the first South African to trace his
roots in Indonesia through Kitab as well as Hussien Salie and
Ismael Petersen. They are regular visitors to your country.

If you have any information, I would be very grateful for a
reply to Ebrahiem Manuel, Pentow Marine, PO BOX 1339, Cape Town
8000, Republic of South Africa. Or: Embassy of South Africa,
Suite 705, 7th Floor, Wisma GKBI, Jl. Jend. Sudirman, No. 28,
Jakarta 10210.

LINFORD ANDREWS

Third Secretary (Political)

on behalf of E. Manuel

Embassy of the

Republic of South Africa,

Jakarta