Travel Destination

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 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 Makassar sailors who attacked the intruders. Famed for their seafaring culture, the Bugis are still 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, trough rugged and remarkable country is Tana Toraja, often referred to as the "Land of the Heavenly Kings" whose unique culture rivals any in the archipelago.

A believe that their forefathers descended from heaven on a boat onto mountain some twenty generations ago, The Toraja have 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 important figure, wedding 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 built 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 ancestors 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 its silk and silver work industries, but the economy is largely based on agriculture. The provincial capital of Ujung Pandang, formerly Makassar, however, has excellent facilIties for water sports and is easily accessible by air. There are four daily flight from Jakarta and also daily services from Bali, Surabaya and Manado.

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Ujung Pandang
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 harbour.

The centre 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 1 0th sultan of Gowa. When Gowa capitulated to the colonial forces under the treaty of Bungaya in 1667, the fort was renamed Rotter dam by Admiral Speelman who constructed bastions and buildings of typical Dutch architecture making it the centre 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 centre of culture, the Conservatory of Dance and Music is located here and on the open stage in the centre of the fort, dance classes for children can be seen in progress.

Though unmarked, but of historical interest is the dungeon where one of Indonesia's most prominent heroes in the struggle for freedom, Prince Diponegoro was imprisoned for 27 years. Prince Diponegoro was buried in a family plot in the middle of the city on a street named after him: Jalan Diponegoro. The family tree displayed on the wall indicated that none of his descendants returned to the courts of Yogyakarta, instead they settled in Ujung Pandang and their custodian is a greatgrandson.

Mr. Bundt, a Dutchman, has in his private residence at No. 15 Jalan Mochtar Lutfi a collection of seashells and corals. His pacious garden is filled with rare Indonesian orchids and hybrids. A visit is worthwhile and several of the collections are on sale. Mr. Bundt is registered in the Sanders List of London as an expert in orchid cultivation.

Sunsets in the Makassar Strait can be viewed from a promenade at Jalan Penghibur or the Paotere anchorage in the north end of the city where the Pinisi schooners are berthed.
Across the harbour is Kayangan Island which can be reached in 15 minutes by ferry. A popular recreational resort for the people of the city, there is entertainment in the evening and on Sundays.

Pare-pare
Pare-pare is a lunch stop along the road from Ujung Pandang to Toraja, through paddyfields 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. 8 2 Pare-pare.

Tana Toraja
Tana Toraja, (Toraja Land) which lies in the north of the province is known for its unique culture and ancient traditions. The centre of tourism is Rantepao 328 kms 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. Lifesize 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 each 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.

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 and this scenery is most often photographed.

Samalona Island
Across the harbour of Ujung Pandang is Samalona Island which has been developed into a pleasant recreational resort. It can be reached by boat in 45 minutes and has simple accommodation Recreational sports include diving, snorkeling, water skiing and fishing. Best months to visit are from February to October.

Sungguminasa
Formerly the seat of the kings of Gowa, about 11 kms 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.

Tomb of Sultan Hasanuddin
Sultan Hasanuddin (1629-1690) was famous for his exceptional bravery in his struggle against colonial encroachment in South Sulawesi. His tomb and those of other kings of Gowa are located in a secluded cemetery not far from Sungguminasa, about 8 kms from Ujung Pandang.
The huge crypts are grey with age and just outside the walls of the cemetery, a small fenced-off plot contains the Tomanurung stone on which the kings of Gowa were crowned in a show of pomp and splendour, Not far from the tombs is the oldest mosque in the area, built in 1603.

Malino
Formerly the holiday resort of the kings. Malino, which is 70 kms from Ujung Pandang offers a haven from city-life. Located on the slopes of Mt. Bawakaraeng it has a cool climate with forests of pine trees making it picturesque. Deer hunting on horseback was a royal sport in the days gone by.

Bulukumba
You will find white sandy beaches at Bira, 178 kms 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 kms 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 fluter 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 kms 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 coloured 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 pig, believed to be 5,000 year old. The road leads from Maros through the cave-riddled limestone hills to the site about half an hour's drive from the airport.

Sengkang
The capital town of Wajo Regency is well-known for its silk weaving and is the Centre of Buginese silk. This area is populated by the Buginese ethnic group, famous 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.

Soppeng
Centre of the silk industry, a spinning mill produces thread from silk worms. Weaving can be seen in many private homes along this route which is 240 kms to the northeast of Ujung Pandang. The finest silk is handloomed by village women who individually need a whole month to produce two metres of silk. Visitors are welcome to stop and watch, or make a purchase if there is any readily available.
In a small Village, Batu-Batu Visitor will find a collection of royal regalia, consisting of many kind of kris keeping a Buginese traditional house called Sao Mario.

Enrekang
236 kms to the north of Ujung Pandang, you can see beautiful landscapes at Bambapuang, located 20 kms from Enrekang to the north on the way to Tanah Toraja. Here can be seen an erotic mountain called: Batu Kabobong, by its shaped formed by the valley and slopes. A rest house is built on an elevation, giving a clear view of the countryside.

Polewali - Mamasa (Polmas)
Polewali is the capital town of Polmas Regency located 246 kms north of Ujung Pandang. It is inhabited by Mandarnese, Buginese, Torajans and Javanese ethnic groups. This town is well-known for its silk sarongs which is called "Sarung Mandar" and rattan furniture and crafts. There are several small islands to be reached by fishing boats in 10-16 minutes. All these island, have white sandy beaches.

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For more information about tourism in South Sulawesi, please visit www.phinisiq.com