SOUTH SULAWESI

Situated on the crossroads of historical and strategic sea-lanes, the province of South Sulawesi constitutes the narrow south-western peninsula of this mountainous, orchid-shaped island. The capital and chief trading port of the province, Ujung Pandang is still gateway to eastern Indonesia.

Spanish and Portuguese galleons, followed by British and Dutch traders sailed these seas in search of the spice trade, escorted by their man of war to protect them against the daring raids of the Bugis and Makassar sailors who attacked in the intruders. Famed for their seafaring culture, the Bugis are still the driving force behind the world’s last commercial sailing fleet. Bugis vessels have sailed as far as Australia, leaving behind drawings of their ships on stone and words that have since been integrated into the Aboriginal language of northern Australia.

The seafaring Bugis dominate the southern tip of Sulawesi, but further north, through rugged and remarkable country is Tana Toraja, often refered to as the “Land of the Heavenly Kings”, whose unique culture rivals any in the archipelago.

A belief that their forefathers descended from heaven on a boat onto a mountain some twenty generations ago, the Torajas have a unique culture based on strong animistic beliefs. They practice an ancestor cult where death and afterlife ceremonies are great feasts. A strict hierarchy is followed in the villages and for an for an important figure, weeding and burial ceremonies, can take days to perform Buffalo are sacrificed, the deceased’s remains are placed in a coffin and interred in caves hollowed out in high cliffs. The mouth of the cave is guarded by lifelike statues, who diligently look out from a balcony at the families and friends they have left.

Tongkonan, family houses, are build on stilts with the roof rearing up at either end, representing the prows of the first ship to arrive in the area with the Torajan’s ancestors. The houses all face north and some say that this because it was from the north that the ancestor of the Toraja came. Others however will say that the north (and east) are regarded as the realm of the gods, the compass of life.

South Sulawesi is also famous for its tremendous scenery and the quality and talent of silk and silverwork industries, but the economy is largely based on agriculture. The provincial capital of Ujung Pandang, formerly Makassar, however, has excellent facilities fro water sports and is easily accessible by air. There are four daily flight from Jakarta and also daily services from Bali, Surabya and Manado.

Source: Travel Panner