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The South Sulawesi peninsula has for many centuries
been inhabited by various ethnic groups, who in the past
subjects of two kingdoms Gowa and Bone. The kingdom of Gowa covered the coastal areas from
Ujungpandang to Bulukumba. The capital of this kingdom was
Somba Opu which was later to be renamed Makasar now known as
Ujungpandang the name Ujungpandang is derived from that of a
fortress of Gowa kingdom which existed in the 17th
century. The fort Ujungpandang was located near the harbor of the
capital of Gowa. To its south stood the forteresses of Somba
Opu and Panakkukang. Unlike Ujungpandang which withstood the
attacks of the Dutch East India company, those latter two
were demolished. The first to be demolished in 1660, was
Panakkukang located nine kilometers from the capital of
Gowa. The Bone kingdom covered the easteren and central parts
of South Sulawesi including a few areas belonging to vassal
states or allies. The Walanae river between Ujungpandang and
Watampone marked the kingdom's western boundary, separating
Bone from Gowa. To the north, Bone is bounded by the Cenrana river which
flows from Lake Tempe into the Bone Bay . The area along the
lowland plains traversed by this river are fertile . the
Cenrana river is navigable by small boats up to Pampanua and
is an important artery for the transportation of
agricultural products from the hinterland to the coastal
areas on Bone Bay . The Kingdom of Bone was first heard of in the 13th
century , its first king came to power . The most famous king of Gowa was Sultan Hasanuddin , the
12th ruler of the kingdom and a successor of Sultan
Malikussaid , who died in 1653 . Islam made its entry into Gowa in the 16th century ,
Whith the arrival of traders from Malacca , Johore and
pahang . The Makasarese Were the subjects of the Gowa
kingdom Who inhabited the regions of Gowa , Taklar ,
Jeneponto , Bantaeng , Maros , pangkajene and the Selayar
islands . They number at present about 2. 5 milion . During the early part of the 16th century , Bone was
continually Waging War against Gowa until the letter's 11th
King was killed in battle . A treaty followed in which Gowa
acknowledged the sovereignty of Bone. The treaty also
established the two kingdom's boundaries . Like in the case
of Gowa , the kingdom of Bone for the first time embraced
Islam after the arrival of traders from Malacca, Johore and
Pahang, and from Sumatra. The Bugis people were subjects of Bone and other smaller
kingdom's, such as Luwu. They live at present in Bulukumba ,
Sinjai, Bone, Soppeng, Wajo, Sidenreng Rappang, Pinrang,
Polewali-Mamasa, Enrekang, Luwu, Pare-pare, Barru,
Pangkajene and Maros. They speak the Bugis languange, except for those who live
in Pangkejene and Maros a transit area, where the Makasar
language is also spoken. There are around five million Bugis
people living in those areas. Apart from the Bugis and Makasarese, there are other
ethnic groups. Beside being occupied by the people of Bugis and
inhabiting this area of South Sulawesi, such as the Torajans
and the Mandar people. The Torajans occupy the regencies of
Tana Toraja and Mamasa, although they can be found almost
anywhere in Central Sulawesi. The Torajans are also known as the Toraja Sa'dan, and
culturally do not differ much from the Bugis-Makasar of
Mandar peoples.The differences that exist are caused by the
fact that the Torajans have lived in isolation for so many
centuries. Member of the Bugis-Makasar nobility believe they are
descendants of the Sangalla people- that is , of the
Torajans. In this area of South Sulawesi , the bugis language is
the most widely spoken . the Makasar language is spoken only
in the surrounding of Ujungpandang and around the tip of the
peninsula of south Sulawesi . The Torajan language is spoken in the hinterlan , around
Mamasa , while the people of Enrekang , Who are known as the
Duri or Massenrengpulu , speak their own language . The people of Mandar live in the regencies Mamuju and
Majene , and number around one million . They speak their
own Mandar language, although their culture is not much
different from those of the Bugis-Makasar people. The script used in the written Bugis- Makasar Language
was lontara, derived from Sanskrit literature. It was
applied in old Bugis-Makasar manuscripts. In the 16th century, the lontara script was simplified
and modified by Daeng Pamatte,a harbor master of Gowa. After the advent of Islam, the lontara script fell into
disuse and was replaced by the Arabic.Around the 17th
century, the Arabic language and script became dominant in
Bugis-Makasar manuscripts and other kind of records.
At present it is hard to find ancient Bugis Makasar manuscripts written in lontara . Among those now in existence . one of the most important is the Sure Galigo , a complete collection of writings dealing with mythology held sacred by some people in Makasar . Besides stories and literary pieces it provides guidelines for proper living and principles of tradition inherited from the ancestors .
It also contains regulations , laws and decision made by customary leaders [ rapang] , as well as attoriolong , or genealogical registers of Kings , and also paupau or tales of legendary heroes . it even contains poems , songs , and stories about the supranatural [kotika] . in short , the manuscript deals With norms of conduct customs and traditions , known as panngaderreng , or in the laguage of Makasar Panngadakkan .
B.F. Matthes , as cited by the Indonesian anthropologist Prof . Koentjaraningrat in is book Indonesian Men and Culture , mentions that according to the panngaderreng , the word siri is intepreted as shame as an injured sense of honor. Fort that reason , siri is a motivating fortce for doing away with whoever , it is also a force thet drives people to accomplish their tasks as best they can.
The general notion exist thet the people of the Bugis- Makasar area are easily driven into violence , or even murder, when insulted . this is a lopsided view of the issue , fort the same motivation also drives them to respect others and to work as best they can to improve their living .
In any case , the siri tratidion of violence and ravenge is already being abandoned , especially due to the influence Islam, which has found ready acceptance in South Sulawesi despite the clarification of deities in the Sure Galigo.
The influence of islam was strogly enhanced by the growing contacts in the pas with Moslem Malay traders , many of whom settled in Makasar . Today , the tenets of Islamic laws - in the Syari'ah - have been integrated into the pangaderreng.
In the las decades , due to the infuence of Islam introduced by such mordern organizations as the Muhammadiyah , the view has come to prevail that the pangaderreng should be regarded syirik , or contrary to the Moslem belief in one Almighty God and should there fore be abandoned .
In the early 16 th century,soon after the fall of Malacca into the hands of the Portuguese , the first Europeans arrived in the Indonesian archipelago , especially , at first , in Maluku . Ther primary purpose was , in the beginning to buy spices .
Gowa at that time , had already grown in to a strong and powerful kingdom . Somba Opu the capital , had become a busy and important harbor .
The Portuguese came to Gowa to buy up the spices which traders had bought in the banda islands for sale in Somba Opu . Thus, large supplies of spices were stored at Somba Opu for sale to the Portuguese who shipped them to Malacca or Europe .
In 1538 , when the ninth king of Gowa was in power , Somba Opu was already much visited by Portugues merchants . Besides buying spices , they also come to spread the Roman Catholic religion in Sulawesi .
The Portuguese were experts in trade and navigation . Their ships carrid strong crews and guns . Thy had no qualms abaut occupying or demolishing a port a fortification in their trade interests .
The Bugis - Makasar people , however , soon came to dislike the Portuguese presence not only because of their manners and behavior . Besides, Islam was already firmly established .
In 1601 , after having established a foothold in Maluku , the first Ducthmen arrived at the harbor of Somba Opu. However, they were even less welcome than the Portuguese, who seemed to more willing to adjust themselves to the locally prevailing customs and regulations.
At that time, there were about 500 Portuguese living in Somba Opu, and their precence had not given rise to any problems to the people or the king.
In 1619, the center of the Dutch trading acitivity was moved from Ambon to Batavia (Jakarta), and the efforts of the dutch United East India Company (VOC) to monopolize the spice trade in the eastern parts of Indonesia, incrased in intensity.
The Dutch wanted no other party to be permitted to buy the spices or ship them to Europe.
A VOC proposal to gowa's Sultan Alaudin to jointly take over Banda, was rejected by the ruler. The VOC started harassing Gowa's trading fleets in Maluku, without much success. The dutch then tried control Gowa after Somba Opu harbor increasingly grew in importance as a transit port for spices. They unsuccessfully tried to take Malacca from the Portuguese.
Finally, a ducth force visited Somba Opu and asked the Sultan of Gowa to stop trading with Malacca and to stop the shipments of rice to that port. The proposal was refused by the Sultan who insisted that Somba Opu be kept open to ships from all.
The following period was one conflicts between Gowa and the Ducth, who closed their trading post in Somba Opu after disputes with the Portuguese and the Spanish. When spice growers in Maluku sold most of their harvest to traders from Java, Malacca, Gowa and Portugal leaving the VOC barely half of the supplies they normally should gather, the Ducth cup overflowed.
The company asked the sultan prohibit trading between Gowa merchants and Maluku .war was inevitable.
During the reign of Sultan Hasanudin, in 1655, the Ducth suffered defeat on Buton Island.
For the time being, trade with Maluku remained undisturbed.in 1660, however, the Ducth attaked and occupied Gowa's fortification at Panakkukang , South of Somba Opu.
In 1669, Somba Opu pell into Ducth hands. A treaty was finally signend, know as the Bongaya Treaty. Under its terms the fort at Jumpandang (Ujung Pandang) was ceded to the Ducth who renamed it Fort Rotterdam. The fort at Somba Opu was demolished.
Bone eventually also closed an agreement with the Ducth. Aru Palaka, a son of Sultan Bone, however resisted and Bugis merchants continued to sell spices to Malacca and Java, until well into the early decades of this century.
A People Of Seafarers
The people of South Sulawesi who live in the hinterland are mostly farmers . In the fertile lowland plains such as those of the eastern peninsula rice has been grown for centuries on irrigated fields along the fertile Pampanua river .
In conrast the Bugis and Makasarese who live mainly along the coasts , have traditionaly turned to the sea for their Living . In boats built by their own expert shipwrights , the phinisi schooners,they fish and sail in waters throughout the Indonesian archipelago. Skillful navigators , they have plied those waters for many centuries , guided only by the stars .
They had for centuries known their own maritime codes and laws , which thyey compiled in a book. In 1832, this book was issued in Singapore in the English Language , under the title A Code of Bugis Maritime Laws . It was eventually translated into the French and German Languages .
The Bugis - Makasar people have since long sailed to Srilanka , Thailand , India , Cambodia , the Philippines and the Malay peninsula to trade . They also sailed to Australia during certain seasons to Collect oysters .
The phinisi is believed to have been known by Bugis and Makasarese sailors , Long before the 16th century , when it used to ship spices from Maluku to Sulawesi , and also to fight the enemy in times of war .
When the Portugues and the Dutch first made their landfall in Sulawesi , phinisi schooners were already used in defense and battle .
Phinisi schooners typically have two masts , weigh 200 to 300 tons , and are built in the villages Ara , Tanjung Bira and Tana Lemo in the district of Bontobahari , Bulukumba regency , in South Sulawesi .
Tanjung Bira is famous as the center where phinisi boats are made . Everywhere along the shore are frames of boats being built in the old traditional manner .
In Tanjung Bira , there are experts in boat construction besides sailors .
In Tanah Beru are experts specializing in the construction of phinisi hulls . They are the people who put the final touch on almost finished phinisis .
Phinisi boats are made of are kind of hard wood called kadieng or bitti , which grow wild in the forests . The cutting of the trees is done only after prayers are said by a shaman , or punggawa.
The puaka , or spirit guarding the tree is told by the punggawa that the wood is needed , Also his blessings are requested .
A special ceremony is held when the frame is put together . This ceremony is held in the bantilang , or the place where the boat is to be constructed. Such a ceremony, is deemed important and is attended by all those involved in the boat's contruction, the owners and the crew's family. During such ceremony, a pregnant woman must be present. During the launch, another ceremony is held.
Since the 1960s and 1970s, the building methods have changed. For practical reasons, the boats are equipped with engines. The ship's stern is rather wide, so it can hold the engines.
Today, the phinisi is used for all kinds of purpose, including to serve tourism in Indonesia.
Sightseeing in South Sulawesi
South Sulawesi, occupies the southern arm of the island. Makasar, the provincial capital was in the 1970s renamed Ujung Pandang. The city is large and busy, like big cities in java, such as, Bandung, Medan, Yogyakarta, Palembang,Solo and Surabaya.
South Sulawesi was long known as the gateway to east Indonesia. It saw its greatest period of bloom during the days of the Spice Trade.
Fort Rotterdam stands evidence to the former greatness of the Gowa kingdom, which taught the Ducth and the Portuguese,who attempted to establish their trade monopoly in Sout Sulawesi.
The northern part of South Sulawesi is bounded by the province of centeral Sulawesi, the eastern part by Bone Bay, the southern by the flores Sea and the western part by the Strait of Makasar.
The land consists of mountains and hills,surrounded on the three sides by sea. In the north is the Quarles mountain range.
With such a geography, it is only to be expected that
South Sulawesi landscape abounds with scenic places. Rivers abound in montains and hills.
The northern end of South Sulawesi contains two big lakes, Matana and Towuti, wich are located in the mountains. The population of Sout Sulawesi numbers almost 6.5 milion, consisting of six ethnic groups, each of them possessing their own system of regilious belief, tradition, culture, art and language. They are the Torajans, Bugis, Mandar, Makasarese, Selayar and Massen.
In dealy life, the people of South Sulawesi speak their own regional language, with those of the Bugis, makasarese and Torajans being the most dominant. The national language, Bahasa Indonesia, is spoken everywhere.
The best known samples of South Sulawesi's culinary art are coto Makasar, and grilled prawns with young Manggo sauce with chilly. A local delicacy is smoked banana with liquid red sugar, mixed with durian.
Malino , a cool resort on the slope of Mount Lompobatang (2,870meters) can be reached by car from Ujungpandang.
You can buy fresh markisa ( passion fruit) in Gowa , Sinjai , Bone , Enrekang , Toraja Land , Luwu and Polewali .
South Sulawesi is rich in traditional music and dances . There are dances for burials for burials, such as the Ma'badung , Ma'marakka , Pra'dondang , Ma'randing and Ma' gellu . Another dance is Pakarena Burane and Baine , a kind of dance to welcome the harvest .
Traditional games for children are still found in the countryside around Ujungpandang . Such games are often presented in the daytime , but some times also during the night , in particular when the moon is full.
Such children ë s games come mostly from the Bugis region . Some of them are Mallogo , Dende- dende and Magarence .
The myth of origin of South Sulawesi in the Laki padada , which tell of Laki Padada , the original ancestor of the Bugis , Makasarese , Mandar and Torajans , riding a pitih buffalo throughout South Sulawesi in search for a place of eternal life . He did not succeed and realized that man must one day return
To his Creator .
A Widely famed product of South Sulawesi's cottage industry is the fine silk Bugis and Mandar woven cloths .
Ujungpandang and surroundings
Ujungpandang,the capital of the province of South Sulawesi, is located at the south end of the peninsula. It is a port town and the busiest business center on the islan.
One of the most important gateways to East Indonesia, Ujungpandang can be reached from Hasanuddin Airport,located to the north , or from Paotere harbor , where you can admire sight of ships silhouetted against the evening sky during sunset .
Many Bugis - Makasar people live in ujungpandang . the Saoraja house was the residence of member of the Bugis nobility Rank is measured by the number of timpa laja , the front and back covers of the roof. The more timpa laja there are , the higher the rank of the person .
Tourist attractions worth visiting in the city of ujungpandang are :
The Orchid Garden of C.L. Bundt , which also has a fine sea- shell collection . Orchid garden has a great variety of orchid species . Located No. 5 , on Jalan Mochtar Lutfi, Ujungpandang .
Palenggo Village , a settlement of Bugis fishermen with houses built on poles. Here you can watch the daily lifestyle of the Bugis people .
Makasar Fortress, built in 1545 by the 10th king of Gowa. In1667, this fort practically constituted a twon, and was a center of government and trade. The Dutch later named it Fort Rotterdam. Today it functions as a national archive and museum where history, archeological artifacts, and also dances and music, are preserved.
We may also visit the grave of Prince Diponogoro, the national hero. A prince of Yogyakarta, Java, he faught the Ducth between 1825 and 1830 . He was tricked , captured and imprisoned for 26 years by the Dutch , and kept prisoner in Fort Rotterdam until he died.His grave in downtown Ujungpandang is surrounded by those of members of this family.
Lagaligo Museum, downtown, is where relics of history are kept, in particular those from South Sulawesi.
The cemetery of kings of Tallo is located in the old Tallo Kingdom area. There are78 graves belonging to the kings of Tallo and Gowa, and one grave belonging to the ambassador of Bima, gafur Ruma Tambaga.
Khayangan Island, opposite Paotere harbor in Ujungpandang, is15 minutes by motorboat away. The island is a beach recreation resort and is a suitable place for water skiing, snorkling and other activities.
Lae-lae Island,abaout two kilometers from Ujungpandang, is a good place for snorkling and water skiing. Beyond is the Island Samalona, wich has a marine park in calm, clear waters.
Barongbong Beach is 22 kilometers away from Ujungpandang and also a place for recreation. The black sandy beach is pleasant.
Gowa and surroundings
See the remains of the Gowa Kingdom. One of the greatest of them was Sultan Hasanuddin , who was known as the Rooster of the East. A staunch fighter against the Dutch , he is an Indonesia national hero. The Ujungpandang Airport and the State Universty at Ujungpandang , both bear his name.
The Capital of the Gowa regencyi is Sungguminasa. It is located 11 kilometers east of Ujungpandang. This city be
longed lately to Gowa Kingdom . The remainders seen here are :
The palace of the king of Gowa is now the Balla Lompoa Museum, where various objects, such as weapons and uniform of the Bugis kingdom, are exhibited.
Also in Sungguminasa is the grave of Sultan Hasanuddin . Outside the cemetery is an inauguration stone, where the kings of Gowa were crowned. Not far from Sultan Hasanuddin's grave is an old mosqua, built in 1603, know as the Mosqua of Katangka.
Pay a visit to the Gowa Public Enterprise for Pulp Production . This is one of the big pulp industries in Indonesia that makes use of bamboo as a raw material.
At a distance of 30 kilometers from Sungguminasa is Bili-Bili, a small town which is much visited by young people for recreation . Fasilities provided here are lodging , a plantation area for recreation and a sport field.
Mawang lake is not far from Bili-bili , in the Bontomarau area. This is a recreational lake. Boat competitions are often held here.
Malino is a beautiful mountain resort town on the slope of Mount Lompobatang , 59 kilometers from Sungguminasa . It is a pleasant town for relaxing. The weather is cool.
The town is know as the place where the Malino Conference was held during the time of the war of independence . Markisa passion fruit is grown here.
Previously, Malino was a recreation sport for royalty . Deer hunting was one of the favorite pastimes of the kings and Sultans of the kingdoms in this area.
Takapala Watefall is located five kilometers from Malino. Its surroundings offter enchanting panoramas, with hills and forests that are still virgin.
At a distance of 38 kilometers from the eastern side of Malino , is Sinjai, a beach town in the east of South Sulawesi. Sinjai is the capital of the regency of the same name.
In Sinjai are the Batupake archaeological park and the Fort of Balannipa, both remainders of the kingdom of Tallu Limpoe, built in 1696.
About 36 kilometers from Sinjai is Takalar,south of Ujungpandang. Many pieces of antique Chinese porcelain ware have been found here, usully around old graves. Across the beach is Tanakeke Island, wich can be reached by motorboat.
Ninety kilometers from Takalar , past Mangadu , Allu and Tenetea , is Jeneponto, a beach town and the capital of the regency. In this town are the graves of Binamu kings. This is the cemetery in wich stony statues are found. There are wooden boards arranged in stages, adorned with floral pattens and reliefs of human beings.
Go to Birta Ria beach fot recreation, 16 kilometers west of Jeneponto. There are cottages built on the rock, a fresh water swimming pool and other facilities.
Bantaeng is the capital of the Bantaeng Regency about 78 kilometers east of Takalar, or 44 kilometers from Jeneponto. There is the grave of La Tenri Rua built of rocks . Here lies buried La Tenri Rua, Sultan Adam , The ninth king of Bone who was dethroned for embracing Islam in 1611.
The Bissapu waterfall is located about two kilometers from Bataeng town. Enjoy the fine scenery of its surrounding.
Bantaeng beach is a stretch of amazingly white sand. Here is the seaport , cooled by the sea breezes.
Bulukumba is a beach resort with white sand. Its location is 61 kilometers east of Bataeng . Bulukumba is know as a center for the Building of phinisi schooners.
Bulukumba is also the capital of the Bulukumba Regency. In the Bira village, traditional phinisi boats are built by Bugis and Makasarese shipwrights. Their seafarers are know as the " Vikings of Asia".
During the Gowa War, led by Sultan Hasanuddin , Bira phinisi boats played an important role. Their speed and maneuverability broke the blockade of the Ducth Fleet.
Bira is a small village on the coast of Bulukumbu. The weather here is hot and the land is barren. In this village reside the famous phinisi builders. Phinisi are small wooden schooners.
SELAYAR ISLAND
Visible in the distance from the Bira coast is Selayar Island, with its capital Benteng. To visit this island one can take a phinisi boat from Bira, or go by motorboat across the Selayar Strait. The island is separated from the mainland by the strait of Selayar. The white spots moving in the Bone Bay and Florest Sea are the sails of phinisi schooners on their way.
The southen end of this island is called Ujung Apatana.In the vicinity are a few small island, among them Bahuluang, Tombolongan, Macan, Pasitallu, Kayuadi, Tanah Jampea, kalao, Bonerate, Karompa and Kaloatoa.
Maros is the capital of the Maros regency. It is located about 30 kilometers north of Ujungpandang, and is neat, clean town. Along the road downtown, typical Bugis houses stand in neat rows.
An interesting site in the area is the Leang - leang aechaeologikal park. On the walls of caves are the paintings of pigs , deer and human hands, presumed to be done around 5,000 years ago.
The Bantimurung waterfall is 38 kilometers from Ujungpandang. It is 15 meters high and 20 meters wide, and is famous for the multitude of butterflies that live here and fly around and perch on branches along the water.
Naearby is the Bantimurung nature reserve, which sustains certain species of flora. Bantimurung supplies much of the ebony that Balinese crafsmen use to make statues.
Not far away are the limestone mountains . A few caves can also be found here.
Pangkajene is a town 25 kilometers north of Maros. It is the capital of the Pangkajene regency. Further down the road is Kaengta ,a tourist resort 21 kilometers from Maros containing various species of flora and fauna.
Or stop at the Ompo pools, which provides lodgings, restaurant and recreation site. The Tonasa cement plant is not far away.
Traditional house of La pinceng
About 73 kilometers from Maros, capital of the Barru regency, Barru, a beautiful town lies on the seashore. See the traditional house of La Pinceng, a typical Bugis-Makasar residence, made of wood. This was the house of Balusu Sulle Datu-El, and it was here that the strategy of war was planned against the Dutch in 1905. The building was built in 1895.
The Watampone regency has its capital in Watampone, 72 kilometers from Sinjai, or 174 kilometers from Ujungpandang. Here is the La Pawawoi museum which contains the paraphernalia of the Bone kingdom of the past.
Bola soba is a typical house of the Bugis Makasar area, constructed in 1890. It is the foemer house of Petta Punggawa, a great commander of the Bone Kingdom who died while figting the Ducth on November 18,1905.
Mampu Cave, the biggest cave in South Sulawesi and inhabited by bats, is found in the Boccoe district, abaout 34 kilometers from Watampone. In the past, this cave was one of the hide-outs of Bone's soldiers fighting the Ducth. There are stalactites and stalagmites inside. There is also a part of the cave with rocks resembling human beings and animals.
Pare-pare is the capital of the Pare-pare regency, wich stretches for 53 kilometers from Barru, or 155 kilometers from Ujungpandang, towards the north. Pare-pare is a beautiful town on a bay.
The first stop should be the La Bangene Museum, where the belongings of King Bacu Kiki are kept. Visit Lumpue Beach, a recreation spot on a cape.
Sengkang is the capital of the Wajo regency. It can be reached from Barru, 38 kilometers away, or 192 kilometers from Ujungpandang. The town is located on Lake tempe.
To the north of lake Tempe, is Sidenreng Lake in the Sindenreng Regency
The capital of the Enrekang regency is Enrekang. It is located 81 kilometers to the north of pare-pare. The roads to Enrekang are full of bends with steep cliffs on both sides.
On the road is coffin Verendah, a cemetery in the cliffs belonging to the Totoni people. Twice a year traditional ceremonies are held in Tanjung village. A good place to rest is Bambapuang, 16 kilometers from Enrekang.
Polewali is the capital a regency. It is located 65 kilometers from pinrang. Polewali is a pleasant town on beautiful Mandar Bay.
From Polewali the road leads to Mamasa, a town with relics of the Mamasa culture. Among them are utensils and a settlement with typical houses.
Another tourist attraction is the hot water pool near
Mamasa. Or try Mambuliling Mountain with its waterfall.
In Mamasa , traditional ceremonies are held on certain occasions. Mamasa is situated amidst beautifull mountainous surrounding.
Majene is 37 kilometers from Polewali and is a sea port on the Mandar Cape.
About 100 kilometers to the north of majene, along the beach is Mamuju, the capital city of the Mamuju regency. The town is situated near Rangasa Cave , which has a ligthouse.
TORAJA LAND
The regency of toraja land, Tana Toraja, occupies the northern areas of the province of South Sulawesi. It can be reached from Ujungpandang ( 310 kilometers ), from Enrekang (74 kilometers ).
The area consists of mountains, whose walls are often used as cemeteries. The coffins are buried in holes like caves. Wall paintings inside the caves tell stories about the sea.
Toraja land is known for its ancient culture and traditions. According to the myths of the torajas, their ancestors descended from the heavens to the tops of the mountains, then spread through the valleys. Their belief is called Aluk to Dolo.
The most spectacular aspect of Toraja Land is the burial ceremonies . According to the tenets of Aluk To Dolo, death is an important event that must not be forgotten. Therefore , burial ceremonies cost a lot of money , and a whole family inheritances could well be spent to hold one. Hundreds of pigs and buffaloes are sacrificed during the ceremony, which takes place in the mountains.
In the Toraja belief, people should live to die. A person's whole life span is to be used to prepare for death.
In Toraja Land, there are three religiouns denominations. Torajas are either Catholic, Moslems, or adherents of Aluk To Dolo. The name Toraja is supposedly derived from the word To Ri Aja which means " the people above" . The phrase is almost identical to To Luwu, which means "seamen ".
According to Aluk To Dolo, the creator of the universe and its contens is Puang matua (God ). Human beings and Aluk To Dolo descended onto the earth on a mountain called Bamba Puang ( the "Gate Of God " ), which is a bare hill resembling a woman's private parts. It is located aside the main road from Ujungpandang to Toraja Land. Not far from this mountain is a look -out point. This place is popularly known as the "erotic mountain".
Traditional Torajan arts and dances consist of many types. Among those dances are the Istana penjaga ( palace of the guards), pajoge, the Toraja burial dance, Ma'badung, Ma'marakka, Pa'dondang, ma'randing and the ma'gellu dance. A magical dance is the Ma'bugi.
A traditional torajan village consist of two rows of house along an east-west axis. The row facing south consists of homes, called banua, whereas the row facing the north is alang the rice barn. Generally , such an alang is supported by eight to nine pillar of banga wood, a kind of areca palm. A rice barn may hold as many as 100.000 sheaves of rice.
A banua is supported by three pillars with four sides, whereas the alang has cylindrical pillars. The interior of the house consist of several rooms with windows. The roof is made of bamboo and is saddle - shaped. Nails are not used.
The torajan house is famous for its artistic carved ornaments. In general, the patterns are geometric or floral. There are also animal patters. The dominat colors are black, red and white.
Tongkonan are private house for big families. Such house are occupied by member of the extended family of the original builder.
There are two important ceremonies in Toraja. The fisrt is Rambu Tuka , which is held during the harvest time, and is aimed at protecting the village against diseases. This ceremony involves the slaying of animals as a sacriface , dance and songs.
The second ceremony is Rambu Solo, that is, the worship of the sould of the dead. Such a death ceremony is solemnized by dance and songs.
A tourist attraction in Toraja Land is Adu Kerbau (buffalo Figth ). Such attraction ar very rare, and are only held during death ceremonies, rice harvests, and thanksgiving ceremonies.
The Buffalo fight is a symbol of hero warship, or patriotism, among the people of Toraja Land.The buffaloes are decorated and then set free in the arena, where they lock horns and push each other. The buffalo which loses the Fight will be slaughtered and eated together.
Makale is the capital of the regency of Tana Toraja. There is a hot water spring which is said to cure diases. The people of Makale call the place Makula.
Tilanga is a tourist spot with fine scenery , complete with open - air pool, 11 kilometers from Makale.
Rantepao is a small town 18 kilometers from Makale . This is the tourist center of Toraja Land, full of typical Torajan houses. It is easy from here to go to the mountains and visit the tombs or the toraja village in the surroundings. There is lemo Grave, which is a legacy of the old megalithic culture. The coffins are put into a hole in the cliffts. There are a number of hotels in the vicinity.
Kete is a village rich in tradition in Toraja land. Shops sell souvenir such as the bamboo tubes, painted wooded panels, handicrafs and bronze items, including also the huge statues that torajans place in the Cliffside graves.
Two kilometers from the mainroad at Rantepao are the Londa "hanging graves " located in a sheer cliff wall.
Nearby is a typical Toraja settlement , called Kete Kesu. From this village you can visit the hanging tombs. There are plenty of shops selling handicraf and other souvenir.
In the same area is londa, with the graves in the rocky mountains. It located not far from Lemo , 14 kilometers from Makale . This is a cemetery where the coffins are placed in caves.
Some 15 kilometers from Makale is Suaya, where the grave is of King Sanggala . It is Located in hills in the Sanggala distric.
The ancient graves of Sanduni are found on a hill 12 kilometers from Makale. Here, occasionally, an undamaged body is found in a cave. The bodies were apparently placed there in the 1930s.
A Torajan settlement with traditional houses is found in Palawa. Also Nonongan village , 14 kilometers from Makale, is a traditional Toraja settlement. It is also called Siguntu.
In the north of the Verbeek mountains one can enjoy the beautiful scenery around Lake Matano , Lake Towoeti and Lake Mahalona, which lie next to each other. Only Matano is often visited by tourist. One can rent a speed boat or go wind surfing. The scenery is unforgettable .
The regency of Luwu belongs to the northern parts of south sulawesi. The capital is Palopo, which is 44 kilometers from Makale and is a very pleasant beach town on Bone Bay.
You can visit the Batara Guru Museum, which is a former edifice of the Luwu kingdom. At this place, Andi Jemma, the fisrt king of luwu declared the kingdom to be a part of the Republic of Indonesia.
Tua Palopo Mosque is the oldest mosque in south Sulawesi. It was built in the local Indonesian architectural style in 1603.
In Palopo one finds the Lokko-E ( pyramid) of the kings' graves of Luwu. This is the only pyramid ever found in Indonesia, and is believed to be about 500 years old.
Rattan plaitwork, hand-printed batik, paintings, carvings, hand-woven textiles.
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