Karaeng Matoaya

Karaeng Matoaya (1573–1637) was the ruler of Tallo and the "bicara-butta" (first minister) of Gowa from 1593 until his death. He gained power after overthrowing Tunipasuluq, and transformed Makassar into one of the main trading centre in Eastern Indonesia. He converted to Islam around 1605, adopted an Islamic name "Abdullah Awwal al-Islam" and the Islamization of Gowa and Tallo subsequently happened under his influence.