|  SOUTH
SULAWESI
The province of South Sulawesi comprises the narrow south-western
peninsula of this orchid-shaped island which is mainly mountainous. The seafaring
Bugis dominate the southern tip, whereas the northern part of South Sulawesi is
inhabited by the Torajas whose unique culture rivals that of the Balinese. Famed
for their seafaring heritage and Pinisi schooners for centuries, the Bugis possess
to the present day one of the last sailing fleets in the world. The Bugis vessels
have sailed to as far as the Australian coast, leaving behind drawings of their
ships on stone with words that have been integrated into the Aboriginal language
of north Australia. Situated on the crossroads of well traveled sea-lanes, its
capital and chief trading port of Ujung Pandang, is till today the 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 men
of war to protect them against the daring raids of the Bugis and Makassarase who
attacked the intruders.
Makassar, was
formerly Makassar, well known for its Macassar oil from which the English word
"antimacassar" evolved for small covers to protect upholstery. The fortifications
which overlook the harbor were originally built in 1545. Gowa's most famous king
is considered a national hero, named Sultan Hasanuddin, the 16th king of Gowa
who waged a long and fierce war against the colonial forces. Further north,
through rugged country is Tana Toraja, often referred to as the "Land of the Heavenly
Kings". An ethnic group who believes that their forefathers descended from heaven
onto a mountain some twenty generations ago, the Torajas have a unique culture
based on animistic beliefs. Known for their grand burial ceremonies on cliffs
or hanging graves, they practice an ancestral cult even today where death and
afterlife ceremonies are great feasts when buffaloes are sacrificed in the final
death ceremony, after which 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, looking out from a "balcony".
As death has such an "important meaning" when the souls are released, burials
are elaborate and follow days of feasting. Rock graves are also a form of burial.
A strict hierarchy is followed in the villages. "Tongkonan" (family
houses) are built on stilts with roofs on each end rising like the prows of a
ship, representing the cosmos. The mountains offer a fantastic panorama of natural
beauty, including the long drive from Ujung Pandang to Tana Toraja. MAKASSAR
(FORMERLY UJUNGPANDANG)
The provincial capital of Ujung Pandang
has in its history played an important role as the gateway to the former kingdom
of Gowa and now to the whole province because of its natural harbor. The center
of business and administration, the city has expanded outwards from its most important
landmark, that of Benteng Ujung Pandang which faces the sea front. One
of the eleven fortresses of the kingdom, it was built in 1545 during the reign
of Tuni Pallanga, the 10th sultan of Gowa. When Gowa capitulated to the colonial
forces under the treaty of Bungaya in 1667, the fort was renamed Rotterdam by
Admiral Speelman who constructed bastions and buildings of typical Dutch architecture
making it the center of the civilian government, including a church on its premises.
One of the best preserved forts of that area, only the thick walls of earth and
stones remain of the original complex, now occupied by educational and cultural
offices of the provincial government. The two buildings house the Ujung Pandang
State Museum, exhibiting archaeological and historical objects, manuscripts, numismatics,
ceramics and ethnic costumes and ornaments. Visiting hours of the museum are from
8.00 a.m. until 4.00 p.m. daily except on Mondays and public holidays. The fort
itself is open daily till 17.00 p.m. Dedicated as a center of culture, the Conservatory
of Dance and Music is located here and on the open stage in the center of the
fort, dance classes for children can be seen in progress. PAOTERE
ANCHORAGE
On the outskirts of Ujung Pandang, Paotere is where sailing
boats and other small vessels anchor to unload their cargo. The setting casts
a glow over the sea with the silhouettes of the boats. This scenery is most often
photographed by tourists. SUNGGUMINASA
Formerly
the seat of the kings of Gowa, about 11 km. from Ujung Pandang is the old palace
of wood, standing on stilts facing the town square across the administration office.
Now the Ballalompoa Museum, weapons and costumes of royalty are on display in
glass cases. The royal regalia which includes a stone studded gold crown weighing
1769 grams can be seen only on special request. BULUKUMBA
You
will find white sandy beaches at Bira, 178 km from Ujung Pandang to the south.
Traditional ship building is also located in this area. Not far from this area
visitors can cross to the island of Selayar. GOA
MAMPU
The largest cave in South Sulawesi, the legendary cave of
Mampu is about 140 km from the capital. Besides stalagmites and stalactites, rock
formations resemble human figures and animals to which legends are attached. The
cave is inhabited by bats who shriek and flutter around when bright lights pierce
the darkness. BANTIMURUNG
To
the north of Ujung Pandang and driving east along the mountain range, is the Bantimurung
waterfalls, about 41 km from the capital. A cascade of sparkling water gushes
out between rocky cliffs into a stream shaded by tall trees. Here the air is filled
with butterflies which fly from shrub to shrub over the water. These rare brightly
colored ornithoid butterflies are considered the most beautiful in the world. LEANG
- LEANG
Now declared an archaeological site, these prehistoric caves
have strange rock carvings of hands and a wild pigs, believed to be 5,000 years
old. The road leads from Maros through the cave-riddled limestone hills to the
site about half an hour's drive from the airport. PARE
- PARE
Pare-pare is a lunch stop along the road from Ujung Pandang
to Toraja, through paddy-fields and typical Bugis houses made of wood and bamboo,
built on stilts. Here we can find the museum Labangenge, located at jalan Bau
Massepe No. 82, Pare-pare. SENGKANG
The
capital town of Wajo Regency is well-known for its silk weaving and therefore
is the center of Buginese silk. This area is populated by the Buginese ethnic
group, known for their crossing to other islands as traders of silk, sarongs and
other material. Here we can find lake Tempe, one of the tourist resorts. Sailing
and boating can be enjoyed on this lake. SOPENG
Another
center of the silk industry, this spinning mill produces thread from silk worms.
Weaving can be seen in many private homes along this route which is 240 km to
the northeast of Ujung Pandang. The finest silk is hand-loomed by village women
who individually need a whole month to produce two meters of silk. Visitors are
welcome to stop and watch, or make a purchase if there is any readily available. THE
TORAJA LAND
Tana Toraja (Toraja Land), which lies in the north of
the province is known for its unique culture and ancient traditions. The center
of tourism is Rantepao, 328 km from Ujung Pandang by road. There are several small
bungalow hotels at Rantepao, and Makale, the district capital. The entry to Tana
Toraja is marked by a gate built in traditional boat-shaped architecture. The
road passes through the mountains of Kandora and Gandang on which, according to
Toraja mythology, the first ancestors of celestial beings descended from heaven.
The majority of the people still follows an ancestral cult called "Aluk Todolo"
which governs all traditional ceremonies. From Rantepao, side trips can be made
to Kete, a traditional village where there are handicraft and unique shops. Behind
the village there is a grave site on a hillside. Life-size statues guard over
old coffins. As roads are not always paved, it is necessary to use a jeep or walk
if the weather is good (between May and October). Two
cliff graves easy to reach are Lemo and Londa. Londa is one of the oldest hanging
graves belonging to the nobility. A large balcony is filled with effigies of the
dead. Kerosene lamps with young village guides, can be hired to enter the caves
to see skeletons and old coffins. At Lemo, burial chambers are cut out of the
rock and several balconies filled with effigies look out while new caves are being
dug to serve as family graves. There
are several grave sites and traditional villages of which Palawa is a classic
example of a village on a small hill with "Tongkonan" or a burial place with celebrations
and festivals. Visitors are welcome but they are expected to adhere to local customs
of dress, seating and bringing a token present. RANTEPAO
The
small town of Rantepao is a major travellers' centre in the beautiful rugged hill
country of Tana Toraja in Central Sulawesi. The rice-farming, pig-breeding, water-buffalo-loving
Toraja who inhabit this region have become the focus of tourist attention thanks
to their elaborate ceremonies, burial sites and traditional houses. Of
all the Torajan ceremonies, the most important are those concerned with sending
a dead PEOPLE to the afterworld. Without proper funeral rites, the spirit of the
deceased will cause misfortune to its family. Funeral sacrifices and feasts are
meant to impress the gods with the importance of the deceased so that the spirit
can intercede effectively on behalf of living relatives. Funerals can be spread
out over several days and involve hundreds of guests and the sacrifice of scores
of buffalo. Feasting, dancing and singing may be supplemented by cock-fighting,
sisemba (kick-fighting) and even buffalo fights in which the bulls, quite rightly
agitated by the insertion of chilli up their behind, lock horns and strain against
each other. If
you are invited to a ceremony, be sure to dress respectfully, bring gifts to hand
around and don't sit in areas designated for guests or family members. Taking
photographs is acceptable, but do it with restraint. The best time to visit Rantepao
is between March and May, though most funeral ceremonies are held in the `party
season' lasting from July to September. July and August is the high season and
hotel prices skyrocket. ENREKANG
236
km to the north of Ujung Pandang, you can see beautiful landscapes at Bambapuang,
located 20 km from Enrekang to the north on the way to Tana Toraja. Here can be
seen an erotic mountain called Batu Kabobong, by its shape formed by the valley
and slopes. A rest house is built on an elevation, giving a clear view of the
countryside. > TORAJA
GENERAL INFORMATION
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