Kingdom of Kumalarang

History

Ming Chinese records

Kumalarang, along with other states in Insular Southeast Asia (like Brunei, Malacca and Sulu), were included in the Chinese records in the Ming Shilu as a state given with the imperial seal of the Emperor of Ming in the 15th century.

On 15 December 1417, the Emperor of China sent the eunuch Zhang Qian (張謙) to persuade the King of Kumalarang. Eventually, Zhang Qian arrived bringing the imperial decree to persuade the King of Kumalarang Kanlai Ipentun or Ganlayiyibendun (干剌義亦奔敦). He received various fabrics brought by Zhang Qian, including brocades, silk and gauzes.

In September 1420, King Kanlai Ipentun brought his family to accompany Zhang Qian to the Imperial Court of China, arriving on 16 November of the same year. The King was welcomed honorably and ceremoniously in a similar fashion to that of Sulu. Eventually, King Kanlai Ipentun brought a petition in front of the Emperor to become a tributary of China in which he was given several gifts coming from the Emperor that was deserving of a royal head of state. This was followed by gifts like luxurious clothing and a crown.

In the following year, February 1421, the King requested permission to return to his country. He and the Queen were gifted with luxurious clothing and fabric as well as gold and silver.

When King Kanlai Ipentun and others were able to reach Fujian, in an unfortunate turn of events, he became gravely ill and died on 27 May 1421. The Minister of Rituals ordered Yang Shan (楊善) to manage the burial ceremonies, in which he gave the late king a posthumous title of Kangjing 康靖 (courageous and peaceful). The local government organized his burial. The king's son Lapi or Labi (剌苾) succeeded to the throne and returned to Kumalarang bringing home the gifts and treasures coming from the Chinese.

On 3 November 1424, King Lapi ordered Datu Batikisan and others on a diplomatic mission bringing with them golds with a carved memorial.

Maguindanaon period

In 1515, after Sharif Kabungsuwan established the Sultanate of Maguindanao, Kumalarang was subjugated as its vassal state. However, they maintained a high degree of autonomy with the exception of establishing foreign relations in which only Maguindanao was allowed to do so on behalf of every other state. Islamization also began in Kumalarang, in which they eventually became a sultanate.