Bugis and the sea, the sea and the boat – they are interconnected. On our visit to Tanjung Bira, we have the chance to visit the place of origin of the phinisi boats, a masterpiece of Bugis-Makassar people. Although it was approaching dusk, we were determined to go to Tanaberu to see how boats were built by these skilled boat makers. We had to enter a village which was seafront. We drove towards the end of the road and reached the shore.
Oh love birds were on a date.
We were told most of the boats have been handed over to the purchasers, therefore not much boats left. Very few builders were on duty very late in the evening. Even when they do, they filled most of their time chatting to each other. The phinisi is famous for its exceptionally strong and are famous for their ability to break through high waves and sail vast distances. In modern days, the phinisi manufacturers received orders from all over the world for the boats.
Building a boat ain’t easy. It takes a lot of time and patience. One boat can be completed for months, some for years depending on the size.
There was a decline in the orders and a threat to the survival of boat making industry due to depletion of resources.
Further reading on Bulukumba’s Phinisi boats :- http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/12/14/phinisi-boats-bugis-makassar-masterpieces.html
It was sunset time, we had a hell of a time trying to capture the sunset. My camera failed me on this. I was struggling but could not get the right composition. Maybe I was meant to just photograph the phinisi boats. You know that very moment when you were desperate to find sunset and it’s either not there or your camera fails you.