Andi Depu

Depu was born on August 1, 1907 in Tinambung, Polewali Mandar. She was a royal child of the 50th king of Balanipa, Laqju Kanna Idoro.[2] As a child, Depu enjoyed climbing trees, riding horses and playing war games. She was also sociable and enjoyed hanging out with different people in Mandar.[3]

In 1923, Andi Depu married Andi Baso Pabiseang. His married life eventually turned strained because of their contradicting beliefs — she was willing to defend the land from conquerors, while his husband was in favor of the Dutch occupation — leading to their divorce. Depu and his son, Andi Parenrengi, joined the movement against the Dutch East Indies Government. Depu did not raise much suspicion as a combatant due to her gender.[1] In 1939, Depu was crowned as ruler of Balanipa.[2]

When the Japanese overthrew the Dutch,[4] Depu led the establishment of Fujinkai in Mandar to tackle the struggles of women in the region.[2][3] She actively supported the youth organization Jong Islameiten Bond.[1]

In 1945, Depu founded and led the Kris Muda (Islamic Secret Awakening), with the goal of defending Indonesia's independence.[2][1] The movement expanded to a number of places outside Mandar.[2]

When the Dutch came back to Indonesia after Japanese colonization, Depu made the Balanipa Palace the headquarters of republican fighters in Mandar.[3] Under her leadership, she was able to defend Mandar from Dutch invasion.[3] The Dutch army once saw the indonesian flag raised and demanded to lower it from the pole, but Depu grabbed it and raised the flag in front of them as a sign of resistance.[5]

The Dutch, however, were eventually able to capture Depu. In December 1949, she was arrested by the Netherlands Indies Civil Administration and was heavily tortured. She was later released.[1][2]

Depu passed away on June 18, 1985 in Makassar. She is buried at the Panaikang Heroes Cemetery in Sulawesi.[6][1]