| Place of Interest 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
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.
Tana Toraja
 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 viIlage 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.
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.
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.
Soppeng
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. |
