^{This page is part of © FOTW Flags Of The World website}

Indonesia - Princely States (S)

Former Indigenous States of Indonesia (Dutch Protectorate)

2:3 image by Željko Heimer, 2 Jan 1996

Sakabuano
Samalanga
Sambaliung
Sambas
Sameth(incl. Oma and Rohomoni)
Sampit
Samudra Pasai
Sanggar
Sanggau
Saparua
Sawitto
Sekadau
Seram
Serdang
Siak
Siau
Siantan
Sidenreng
Sintang

Sintang Sultan Flag
Sintang Admiral Flag
Sintang ordinary Flag
Sintang Commander in War Flag
Sintang Ruler of indigenous Peoples Flag
Sintang War Flag

Sirisori
Subi
Sukudana
Sumatra
Sumbawa
Surakarta (Solo)

Sakabuano

2:3, image by Jaume Ollé

The flag consists of white, yellowish, and red triangles and is one of the flags that feature a so-called "Tatumbu" pattern. "Tatumbus" (more commonly referred to as "tatumbu susun" are traditional, richly decorated chests or wooden boxes from the Moluccas in Indonesia. They originate from Buano, a small island west of Ceram. Serving as a traditional storage vessel for valuable textiles, it plays a significant role in ceremonial occasions, weddings, and the cultural heritage of the Indonesian island groups in the eastern part of the country.
Source: Klaus-Michael Schneider: "Flaggen über dem Archipel - Fahnen und Wimpel indonesischer Regionen und autonomer Staaten vor dessen Unabhängigkeit"
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 21 Oct 20226

Samalanga

ca. 1:2, image by Klaus-Michael Schneider

The standard was dated as 1877. It was red with a broad white stripe at top and bottom. Issuant from both stripes were white swallowtails. On the the red field was a white crescent accompanied by three white 4-point stars ordered per triangle. The Kingdom of Salamanga acc. to source had been a vassal of the Aceh Sultanate.
Source: collectie.wereldmuseum.nl.

Sambaliung

image by Rob Raeside, 6 June 2010, based on sketch by John McMeekin

Bendera Sultan Sambaliung

Sameth

image by Klaus-Michael Schneider,

Sameth, Oma and Rohomoni are located on the southern and western shores of the tiny Haruku Island.
They all share the same flag, red with a white disc with three black ellipses forming an armillary sphere. Emerging from disc are four golden cross beams slightly shifted.
The 4th village in this confederation is Ihamahu, having a simple red flag.
The three black ellipses on the white disc are interpreted as an armillary sphere, suggesting that the flags were influenced by the Portuguese, whose flag also features an armillary sphere. The two tiny islands of Haruku and Saparua lie south of Seram and west of Ambon, the centre of the short-lived Republic of South Maluku.
Source: Rühl 1952,, p.145
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 7 Oct 2026

Sampit

SAMPIT-1

by Jaume Ollé

Ratio 2:3.

Adopted: ? .

Abolished: ? .

Note: Reverse.

SAMPIT-2

by Jaume Ollé

Ratio 2:3.

Adopted: ?.

Abolished: ?.

Sampit state in Dutch East India has two flags or ensigns. The images above are from D. Ruhl, and variations below are from a plate in Flagmaster 99.

by Jaume Ollé

by Jaume Ollé

Sampit is a settlement along the Sampit river in south central Kalimantan. It was one of several Muslim sultanates in Dutch Borneo that were used as buffer states between inland Dayaks and sea-faring peoples like the Buginese and Sulu-peoples. They were described as 'weak states', although there were fierce rebellions in the 19th century, which threatened the Dutch presence in the whole archipelago.
Jarig Bakker, 24 January 2001

Note that all of these flags show the zulfikar, one of the most ancient of Islamic symbols. More information about this symbol can be found in on our page about zulfikar on Ottoman Empire flags.
Jaume Ollé

Samudra Pasai

image provided by John McMeekin, 5 February 2015

This kingdom was the first Moslem state in Indonesia, which dates from 1267 to about 1511 (when the Portuguese took Malacca). There are a lot of Arms & Flags in this area (also in Malaysia = Kelantan Tiger-Flag etc.) where a Jawi (the Malay term for an Arab script) took the form of a lion, tiger or other beast), this one is a "Garuda".
John McMeekin, 5 February 2015

Sanggar

photo from Janis Lasmanis, 25 April 2020

Sanggau

Royal flag

image by Rob Raeside, 8 June 2010
based on a sketch by John McMeekin

Saparua

image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 5 Oct 2026

The red flag shows in on a red shield with white edges the arms of the Netherlands in white. The shield is supported by two crowned lions rampant as supporters, based on a white wing, the shield is surmounted by a white royal crown.
Source: Wereldmuseum (department Leiden) filing card archive no.RV 370-2077

Klaus-Michael Schneider, 5 Oct 2026

Sawitto

image by Ben Cahoon, 4 May 2022

2:3, image by Olivier Touzeau, 12 Nov 2022

Sawitto is in The Celebes (now Sulawesi).

Sawitto State Flag (until 1957): A white flag with the image of an animal (drawn in black), near the hoist in black, is a vertical "Jawi" inscription (line drawing only).
John McMeekin, 8 Nov 2011

The Sawitto Flag has a yellow vertical stripe on the hoist, (between the hoist and the inscription), as wide as the inscription. I found this on Google images. "BENDERA KERAJAAN SAWITTO" The drawing of the animal is in red, the inscription is black.
John Duncan McMeekin, 13 Oct 2022

Sekadau

modern flag;

photo from Janis Lasmanis, 25 April 2020

Seram

approx. 3:5, image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 5 Oct 2026

Very unusual is a ceremonial "flag" of Seram, shaped like a human figureand made of cotton and wood. Its greatest length is just under one meter, and its greatest width is about half that. The flag was raised during the Poreka festival. This festival has animistic origins and served to summon spirits and venerate ancestors. It is made of red, white, and black cotton with black wooden buttons, for example, for the eyes and mouth, a wooden nose covered with white cotton, a red crescent moon on the chest, a black one over the genitals, and a black banner across the belly.
Source: Wereldmuseum (department Leiden) filing card with archive no. RV-1121-4
Klaus-Michael Schneider, 5 Oct 2026

Serdang

image by John McMeekin, 6 December 2010

Serdang State Flag. Serdang is in north-central Sumatra.
John McMeekin, 6 Dec 2010

Siau

image by John McMeekin, 4 December 2010

The old red over white flag of Siau Kingdom (Sangihe & Talaud Islands, off the northeast tip of The Celebes) [an Indonesian flag in the same image is noticeably more red (RGB = 180,80,80) and white, making this flag look decidedly brown - may be age?]
John McMeekin, 4 December 2010

image by Ben Cahoon, 8 September 2020

Siau flag photo (by Janis Lasmanis) and flag image (white - red) SIAU island in North Sulawesi, whose capital is Hulu Siau, state was founded c.1510
Ben Cahoon, 8 September 2020

Siantan

FLAG OF THE GOVERNORS OF THE AUTONOMOUS DISTRICTS OF SIANTAN

ROYAL FLAG IN LAND OF DJEMADJA

PANGHOELE OF SEDANAN

2:3, image by Jaume Ollé

Note: The flag is the same for all three entities.

ROYAL FLAG IN LAND OF SIANTAN; DATOE POTTINGI'S FLAG OF TAMBILAN

2:3, image by Jaume Ollé

Sidenreng

by Jaume Ollé approx. 3:5, speculative image by Klaus-Michael Schneider, 29 Oct 2026, based on description by John McMeekin, 9 Aug 2014

I am given to understand that the flag of Sidenreng had a white field with a red band on it, which would suggest a horizontal tricolour of white over red over white in equal bands.
Details from Donald Tick: Sidenreng had a King called The Addartuang. The present King is Yang Mulia Paduka (Y.M.P. -or- H.M.) Haji Andi Patiroi Pawiccangi, who was crowned 22 December 2012, (born in 1927). He is grandson of Addatuang, La Cibu, reigned 1906-1942 & 1945-1949 (d.1949)
John McMeekin, 9 Aug 2014

Sintang Flags

Sintang Sultanate Ruler Flag (Bendera Panembahan)

image by Rob Raeside, 4 June 2010, based on a sketch by John McMeekin