The world-renowned Pinisi boat. These traditional sailing vessels have been plying the waters of the region for centuries, and are a testament to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the people who built them.
It is heartening to see that these beautiful and unique boats are still being built and used today. Not only do they serve as a reminder of the rich history of South Sulawesi, but they are also a testament to the enduring power of tradition and the human spirit.
In a world of yachts and cruise ships, it is very encouraging to know that some traditional sailing vessels are still sailing the open seas. Whether you are a seasoned sailor or just a lover of history and culture, a trip on a Pinisi boat is an experience that you will never forget.
The Pinisi wooden boat is one of them — a powerful symbol of the Bugis tribe nautical past.
The descendants of the makers of Pinisi lives in the coastal village of Tana Beru in Bulukumba Regency (176km from Makassar City). Bulukumba is where the boatmaking center in Sulawesi is and it covers the area of Lemo-Lemo, Bara, Tanjung Bira, and Tana Beru.
At Tana Beru boat market, rows of Pinisi are propped on bamboo scaffolding, immense in size (though the normal height is around 2 meters here one customized boat can clock in at 5,3m), and it is a wonder to behold. More so when you get to see them where they belong: on the water.
A glimpse of a bygone era when the Bugis roam the open seas (and some say feared as pirates).
Though not referred to by name, a sailing ship floats through the pages of La Galigo, the Bugis ancient literature, as the transport for Sawerigading, the Prince of Luwu Kingdom, as he traveled to Cina. He returned home with a bride, but a heavy storm capsizes the boat, and the wreckage were washed offshore of the village of Ara, Tana Lemo, and Bira; from which the people built what is now called the Pinisi.
The Rituals of Making the Pinisi
Interestingly, the rituals of making the Pinisi are still implemented even today, such as sweet offerings for good luck and the blood of white chicken to prevent accidents.
The type of wood used for the Pinisi
Pinisi boats are truly a work of art, with their intricate designs and attention to detail. But what truly sets them apart is the unique materials used in their construction. The wood used to build Pinisi boats is a combination of two types of native Indonesian trees: “bitti” and “ulin” (Bornean ironwood).
Bitti is a strong and durable wood that is resistant to rot, making it perfect for use in boat building. Ulin, also known as Bornean ironwood, is an extremely dense and heavy wood that is prized for its strength and resistance to decay.
The combination of these two types of wood results in a vessel that is not only beautiful to behold, but also strong and durable enough to withstand the rigors of life at sea.
But they don’t cut the trees on random days: it must be either on the 5th or 7th day of every month. Both numbers represent luck or good fortune.
What is amazing about the making of the Pinisi is the lack of a design blueprint.
The craftsmen at Tana Beru boat market certainly don’t; it is an inherited craft they acquired from their boat-making predecessors. This is why the cost of making these boats can be very expensive (and very long as it can take two years to make and perfect).
In 2017, the Pinisi was recognized by UNESCO as one of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Modernity. And it is a cultural heritage, indeed, which thankfully is still preserved today. Modernization, however, has rendered some modifications to the boat.
In the past, it was a wind-powered ship, with seven sails on two masts that are then rolled out like curtains on standing gaffs. But today, most of the Pinisi are powered by engines, especially the ones used for tourism purposes.
But it is nice to think of a time when these magnificent boats were masters of the ocean, and in some remote ocean corners of Sulawesi, maybe they still are.
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