People from the Buton Islands were called tukang besi, literally meaning "blacksmith".

Initially, the kingdom was believed have been founded by Mia Patamiana (the four people) named Sipanjonga, Simalui, Sitamanajo, and Sijawangkati from the Malay Peninsula.

They founded the settlement named Wolio (today part of Baubau city) and formed the traditional four small regions called Limbo consisting of Gundu-gundu, Barangkatopa, Peropa, and Baluwu.

[1] The Kingdom of Buton officially converted to Islam under his reign, with the help of a scholar from the Johor Sultanate.

[1] During the 16th century, the city of Baubau had heavy fortifications which today is the Buton Palace Fortress, a popular tourist attraction in the region.