The people of Sulawesi is one of the best sailorman, especially
the Bugis ethnic group have always been known as great seafarers
and shipbuilders. Through ancient times, their Perahu (boat)
went overseas reaching Madagascar and Northern Australia for
trading. At present, the Bugis people live in South Sulawesi
villages.
Administratively, Sulawesi is divided into five provinces: South
Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, North Sulawesi
and Gorontalo (the newest province).
A
Trip to History Sites
Makassar,
the capital city of South Sulawesi, was the gateway to the Gowa
Kingdom in 1667 and the port was one of the central exchanged
trading in the archipelago.
Nowadays, Makassar is one of the business centers for Eastern
Indonesia. Benteng Rotterdam an old fort built on 1545 now becomes
the Ujung Pandang Provincial Museum and exhibits various antiques
ceramics, old coins and manuscripts, musical instruments, costumes
and ornaments.
In Central Sulawesi, you can visit the Museum Negeri Propinsi
Sulawesi Tengah, and see the display of Kain Donggala, colorful
hand woven silk inspired by India, arts and craft and the replicas
of Lore Lindu megalith statues. If you want to see the genuine
statues, you can go to the valley of Napu, Nes and Bada in Lore
Lindu. The origin of these carvings of these human images is
unknown, but is certainly related to the ancestor worshiping.
Moreover, a megalithic stone also has been discovered at Watu
Pinabetengan at North Sulawesi. The surface is covered with
crude, mysterious life drawings and scripts. According to Minahasa
history, the first ancestor had divided up these land into seven
regions: Tombulu, Tonsea, Toulour, Tontemboan, Tonsawang, Ponosakan
and Pasan Ratahan. An ancient cemetery of the megalithic called
the Waruga is also an interesting site. It has 144 sarcophagis
with decorative sculpture and acrving motifs such as human beings,
plants, animals and geometrical designs around the tombs and
the lids.
Buton Island at Southeast Sulawesi, is the place of the sultan’s
kingdom from the 14th to 16th century. At that time, they already
had trading with China and the Majapahit Kingdom from Java island.
The last ruler is King Laki Laponto, who became the first Sultan
of Buton. A cultural festival such as ceremonies and folk’s
events are conducted by the locals.
Explore
The Sea Treasure and The Nature
Take
a trip to North Sulawesi for diving and snorkeling, Explore
the beauty of Bunaken National Marine Park, which you can see
colorful tropical fishes, sea turtles, dugong and dolphins,
Deep in the sea, you may see the Wolrd War II wreckage. This
marine park is rated one of the best diving sites in Western
Pacfic. Besides Bunaken, you can also dive at the chain island
of Sangir-Talaud with the white sand beach. Tasik Ria is also
an alternative beach, located 20 km from Southwest Manado (The
capital city of North Sulawesi).
There are more places for experiencing the nature. Starting
from North Sulawesi, the Dumoga Bone National Park has dense
forests and vegetation with specific animal species like the
Maeo Birds, Anoas, Honbills and fruit bats.
The Moramo waterfall consists of seven main terraces each with
its own natural bathing pool at Southeast Sulawesi. A tropical
jungle forest surrounds the fresh and clean waterfall. Napabale
lake is connected to the sea through a natural tunnel. Other
is Motonunu lake a deep blue non-salt water, clear and clean.
Have you heard music by nature? Batu Gong beach, the only one
sandy beach in Indonesia, which can perform the gong instruments
without any one playing it. The sound comes from a huge stone
at the edge of the beach. If the wave hits the stone, the sound
echoes like a gong instrument At Bulukumba you can see the local
people make traditional shipbuildings and this place is also
the starting point to cross the Selayar island.
Ride the Perahu Cadik (traditional boat with balancer at both
sides), let the wind blow and the water ripples accompany you.
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