Makassar | Finally! La Galigo!

I wrote an entry months back on La Galigo; a Bugis manuscript from 18th - 20th century of which it is also said to be the largest works of literature, consisting of 6,000 pages or 300,000 lines of text. And my draft remain as it is, a one liner.

Why?

Because while writing the post, I found out that I actually visited Fort Rotterdam where La Galigo Museum is; the one that I missed out during my visit last December. When I heard that Makassar and Fort Rotterdam is in our #TripOfWonders itinerary, I knew that I need to pay this museum a visit. It’s MANDATORY. Yeah, I exaggerated it abit.

I’ve wrote on Fort Rotterdam and you can read it here.

To enter the La Galigo Musuem, one has to pay an entrance fee (but not into the fort) and in here, you get to view a replica of the UNESCO largest works of literature of all time, the rest is about the culture and heritage of Makassarese and Buginese. Launched in 1971, this museum houses approximately 4,999 collections of prehistoric, numismatic, foreign ceramics, history, manuscripts, and ethnography. Ethnographic collection consists of various types of technology, art as well as other objects made ​​and used by Bugis, Makassar, Bajau, Mandar and Toraja ethnicity. Aside from the earlier stated, La Galigo Museum also has collections from local kingdoms and weapons during the revolution.

So one might ask, what is La Galigo literature is all about?

La Galigo is one of the sons Sawerigading Opunna Ware (Leader/Head of State of Ware), a famous figure in the mythology of Bugis, from his marriage to We Cudai Daeng Risompa of the Kingdom of China Wajo. As an adult, La Galigo crowned Pajung Lolo (viceroy) in Luwu kingdom, in the 14th century.

The cycle tells the story of the initial residence on earth of the gods and their descendants. Sawérigading is the main protagonists of the story. He makes extensive travels and falls deeply in love with his twin sister. This incestuous love is strictly prohibited and Sawérigading ultimately marries another woman. In the end the whole divine family gathers in Luwuq and all gods depart from the earth, having lived there for six generations. From Open Science Meeting.

Aside from the heritage and a replica of the literature, the museum also displays Sulawesi’s ethnicity namely Makassarese, Buginese, Mandarese, Minahasan, Toraja and Bajauan as well as their customs. Definitely a worthwhile attraction to include into your Makassar itinerary.

Fort Rotterdam and Museum La Galigo

Jl. Ujung Pandang

No.2, Makassar

Sulawesi

Indonesia

Entrance Fee

La Galigo : IDR 10,000 p/pax

Fort courtyard : FREE

Opening Hours : 8:00am – 6:00pm

Trip of Wonders– Indonesia Social Media Fam Trip is in collaboration with Tourism Indonesia.