Preserving the Pinisi

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

In the Regency of Bulukumba—a district in South Sulawesi province—live the Panrita Lopi or punggawa, otherwise known as the traditional pinisi boat builders. Bulukumba, in fact, has produced many punggawa who are now based throughout the archipelago. A Pinisi Festival was recently held at Bukukumba on October 22 to 25. Sadly, it was an event that seemed only to borrow the word pinisi. The real pinisi experts remained in their villages, unaware of this event taking place. To these guardians of an age-old tradition, everyday life is filled doing what they do best—building the most noble boats in Indonesia. A Tempo English Edition special report from Bulukumba.

. tempo : 1780387082100.

A BRIGHT sky with a cool breeze and a slightly fishy odor welcomed us in the coastal zone of Bonto Bahari district, Bulukumba regency, on Sunday two weeks ago. The noisy sound of chainsaws and woodworking machines overwhelmed the dashing waves. Dozens of boat frames could be found beside the houses of most residents. Several boats even soared higher than the buildings in sizes four times as large or more.

A number of men were busily handling tim

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