For centuries, history has recorded Ferdinand Magellan and Juan Sebastián Elcano as the first people to successfully circumnavigate the globe. Their names are etched in textbooks, commemorative statues, and epic tales of oceanic conquest. But were they really the first humans to complete a journey around the world?
In the shadow of these two prominent figures lies another man whose story has been nearly forgotten: Enrique, a man believed to be from the Maluku (Molucca) Islands in present-day Indonesia.
He was neither a nobleman nor a fleet commander, but rather a translator—once enslaved. And yet, it is he who is believed by many to be the first person to have truly circumnavigated the Earth.
This story is revived by Helmy Yahya, an Indonesian television host, actor, producer, and politician, in his novel Clavis Mundi—a work that not only presents a historical narrative but also delivers a message of pride for the Indonesian people. According to Helmy, Enrique is a significant figure who deserves to be remembered as a maritime hero of the Nusantara.
“Indonesia is truly remarkable, but sadly we often overlook our own greatness,” Helmy said at the launch of his book in Jakarta (November 25, 2022). He emphasized that figures like Enrique prove that long before European nations claimed maritime supremacy, Nusantara sailors were already exploring the world.
Who Was Enrique?
Enrique first appeared in historical records as a slave purchased by Ferdinand Magellan at a slave market in Malacca in 1511. At the time, Enrique was believed to be in his early teens, possibly around 14 years old.
His exact origin is still debated. Various records suggest he may have come from Sumatra, the Maluku Islands, or even the Philippines. However, in Clavis Mundi, and based on the research of Reinhard Tawas, which the book draws upon, Enrique is identified as being from Maluku, the famed Spice Islands sought after by European powers at the time.
What set Enrique apart was his linguistic ability. He was fluent in several Southeast Asian languages, a skill that made him the principal interpreter during Magellan’s expedition.
Even, the King of Spain agreed to fund the voyage to find the “Spice Islands” in part due to his trust in Enrique’s abilities and the information he possessed.
The Journey Around the World
In 1519, the fleet led by Magellan—known as the Armada de Moluccas—set sail from Spain. Enrique joined the expedition, no longer as a slave, but as an official interpreter, earning a higher salary than the expedition's chronicler, Antonio Pigafetta.
Enrique played a crucial role in bridging communication between the European crew and the local populations they encountered in various parts of the world.
History later records that Magellan was killed in 1521 during a battle against the forces of King Lapu-Lapu in Mactan, Philippines. Following Magellan’s death, command of the fleet passed to Juan Sebastián Elcano, who successfully returned the sole surviving ship, Victoria, to Spain in 1522.
What stands out is the fact that Enrique did not return to Spain. After Magellan’s death, Enrique disappeared from the historical record. However, according to many researchers and historians, it is highly likely that Enrique reached his homeland in Southeast Asia, meaning he may have completed the circumnavigation of the globe even before Elcano.
The Debate Over His Origins
Enrique’s origins have long been the subject of debate. In Pigafetta’s accounts, Enrique is said to have come from Sumatra, but since he was purchased in Malacca, he became known as Enrique of Malacca. This has often led to confusion between Malacca (in present-day Malaysia) and Maluku (in present-day Indonesia).
In Malaysia, Enrique appears in literature as Panglima Awang, while in the Philippines, some historians claim he came from the Visayas, the central region of the country. Some even suggest he was from Carcar, Cebu.
However, many historians argue that Enrique’s fluency in the Malay language does not necessarily prove he was Filipino, but rather reflects the status of Malay as the lingua franca of the maritime Southeast Asian region at that time.
Regardless of his exact origin, Enrique’s story represents the deep historical and cultural interconnectedness of the region we now know as Southeast Asia, long before modern national borders divided us.
Enrique in the Shadows of History
Unfortunately, global history has largely focused on European figures. Enrique, who was neither a nobleman, an official chronicler, nor part of any colonial institution, appears only as a footnote in the story of a great expedition.
He has not received the same recognition as Elcano or Magellan, even though he may have surpassed them in one of the most monumental achievements: completing the circumnavigation of the globe.
A Legacy Worth Preserving
Enrique’s story is not just about who first circled the Earth. It reflects a history that has long been told from a dominant perspective. He stands as a symbol of how people from Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, have made significant contributions to world history, contributions that have often been overlooked.
“There are great Indonesian figures. We must not forget, our sailors were remarkable,” said Helmy Yahya.
Perhaps it is time we stop being mere spectators of history and begin rewriting the grand narrative—this time including names like Enrique, the sailor from Maluku, as evidence that we, too, have left our mark on the course of world history.
Source:
- https://www.goodnewsfromindonesia.id/2022/11/27/novel-clavis-mundi-kisah-enrique-penjelajah-bumi-pertama-asal-indonesia
- https://kumparan.com/kumparanhits/helmy-yahya-kenalkan-milenial-dengan-sosok-enrique-maluku-lewat-novel-terbarunya-1zKGZVIS0L2/full
- https://opinion.inquirer.net/134991/enrique-magellans-elusive-slave
- https://magellanproject.org/tag/enrique/
- https://kumparan.com/potongan-nostalgia/enrique-de-malacca-pria-maluku-yang-pertama-kali-mengelilingi-dunia-1v5NYIpE2lf/full
- https://www.kompas.com/stori/read/2024/08/31/140000979/enrique-de-malacca-budak-yang-pertama-kali-mengelilingi-dunia