The Center of Perahu Pinisi Industry

Perahu Pinisi


Since long time ago, the Bugis people of South Sulawesi have been famous for their excellent sailors. They were very expert for travelling across the seas and oceans for the Nusantara (Malay archipelago) territory by Perahu Pinisi (Pinisi ship). 
Perahu Pinisi is well-known as a means of traditional sea transportation amongst the Bugis people since many centuries ago. According to the manuscript of Lontarak I Babad La Lagaligo, Perahu Pinisi has already existed since around the 14^th century A.D. According to the manuscript, Perahu Pinisi was first made by Sawerigading, The Crown Prince of Luwu Kingdom. The material to make the ship was taken from welengreng tree (dewata (god) tree) which was very strong and not easily brittle. But, before the tree was cut, a special ceremony must be held so that the spirit in the tree would move to another tree. Sawerigading made the ship to sail to China to propose a Chinese princess, named We Cudai.





Sawerigading succeeded marrying Princess We Cudai. After some time living in China, Sawerigading missed his home. Using his ship, he sailed back to Luwu. But, when his ship was about to reach Luwu beach, suddenly a great wave rammed the ship and made it broken into pieces. The pieces of his ship were cast onto three territories of Bulukumba Regency: Ara, Tana Beru, and Lemo-lemo. The local people in those territories used the pieces to make a new luxurious ship named  Perahu Pinisi.
Until now, Bulukumba is still well-known as the producer of Perahu Pinisi craft. The artisans keep maintaining the tradition for making the ship, especially in Tana Beru.

How to Access Location

The centre of Perahu Pinisi industry is located in Tana Beru, Bontobahari Sub-district, Bulukumba District, South Sulawesi Province.  Tana Beru, as the centre of Perahu Pinisi industry, is located 176 kilometres from Makassar City or 23 kilometres from Bulukumba District. To get to Tana Beru from Bulukumba, visitors can go by private vehicle or public transportation, such as pete-pete (minibus).