Sulawesi - General Information

Sulawesi (formerly Celebes) is one of the four major islands of Indonesia and has the longest coastline of all (6100 km). Because of its bizarre shape it is also referred to as the octopus or orchid island.

Because of its geographic location the island takes a special position between the asian and papua-australian world.

Many different ethnic groups and minorities populate the island. Even higher is the variety of spoken languages and dialects.

Sulawesi has multiple cultural hotspots scattered over the whole island. The country of Toraja in the central highlands as well as the ancient megalith culture in the Lore-Lindu National Park east of Palu are just two of the worldwide known heritages of this island. Silk weaving as a traditional art also gained international recognition.

The times of piracy in which Sulawesi was a place of ongoing battles and quarrels due to its strategic importance as trade station for the valuable products of the neighbouring "spice islands" (Moluccas) have passed long ago. Nevertheless one can still get a sensation of the spirit of these times during boat trips through the archipel.

cloves (Syzygium aromaticum)

The fauna and flora of the island represent a special case. During its long geological history the island was neither connected with the asian nor with the australian continent. Only a narrow, temporary bridge existed with the Philippines.

Many researchers like Wallace and Weber have significantly contributed to the recognition of the island's unique natural heritage. They discovered that Sulawesi is actually an interface between the australian and asian ecosystems. Because of that, many endemic plants and animals have developed undisturbed.

Since 1998 it is known, that the living fossil crossopterygian is not only found on the Islands of the Comoros but also 10.000 km further east in the deep waters off the coasts of North Sulawesi.

Prehistoric history of man on Sulawesi dates back more than 30.000 years. At that time, modern man (Homo sapiens) already lived all over Indonesia and spread to Irian Jaya and Australia. They lived as hunters and represent the ancestors of the australian aboriginees.

3000 years ago, emigrants from China reached the island and mixed with the native population. They brought domesticated pigs, dogs, pottery, bow and arrow, traditional house construction and advanced fishing equipment with them.

The stone megaliths and hods found in the Bada Valley in central Sulawesi likely date back into the bronze era. Most of them represent males (75%) without extremities but with genitals.

It remains unclear, however, if these megaliths are somehow linked to other modern age stone monuments or if there have been several independent "stone age" periods.

The reported history of Sulawesi Tenggara has its origins in the 13th century with foundation of the Kingdom of Buton. The cultural traditions and arts of this period have survived over many generations up to the present.

Remains of this era are found in the extended complex of the Butonese palace like the Baruga, an old mosque, or the Palace of Badia.

This construction is located in the highlands of the island of Buton, surrounded by a fortress protecting against enemies coming from the sea.

fortress at Bau Bau on the island of Buton

In the 16th century, starting from 1515, the island came under the influence of portugese traders, who more and more took over the control of trade by their superior military weapons and navigation capabilities.

Towards the end of the 16^th century, competition grew by the dutch, who established a trade station in 1607 and developed a manufacturing industry. This was the beginning of a 350 year dutch rule, that was briefly interrupted by british conquest (1811-1816). Many of the Minahasa people in North Sulawesi became loyal citizens over time and served in the dutch army. They even fought at the side of  the dutch against Aceh (north Sumatra).

Eventually in 1942 the Japanese occupied Sulawesi. Already at that time, first initiatives were taken for foundation of an indonesian nation.

In 1944, the japanese prime minister declared a Memorandum of Understanding for indonesian independence. A constitution was worked out in 1945. Despite that, dutch troops re-occupied major parts of the indonesian republic and could only be expelled two years later (after bloody battles).

In August 1949, the Netherlands were finally forced to sign an agreement guaranteeing full independence of Indonesia.

Southeast Sulawesi was recognized in 1964 as an independent province by the local government. It is currently divided in 8 administrative districts:

Konawe  (center / capital in Unaaha)

South Konawe (center / capital in Andoolo)

Kolaka (center / capital in Kolaka)

North-Kolaka  (center / capital in Pakue)

Bombana  (center / capital in Kasipute)

Muna (center / capital in Raha)

Buton  (center / capital  in Lasalimu)

Wakatobi  (center / capital in Wanci).      

The largest cities are Kendari and Bau-Bau (Buton Island).

Back to main page