Who Are the Bugis?
The Bugis are an Austronesian ethnic group native to South Sulawesi, Indonesia, numbering approximately 6-7 million. They speak Bugis (Buginese), a South Sulawesi language written in the distinctive Lontara script. The Bugis are historically one of Southeast Asia's most important maritime peoples—their trading networks and seafaring skills extended throughout the Indonesian archipelago, to Malaya, Singapore, and beyond. European sailors feared and respected Bugis seamanship; the English word "bogeyman" may derive from "Bugis man." The Bugis are also known for their traditional recognition of five genders, their literary heritage, and their role in spreading Islam throughout eastern Indonesia.
Maritime Tradition
Bugis seafaring prowess shaped Southeast Asian history. Their traditional sailing vessels—the pinisi schooner and lambo—were sophisticated craft capable of long ocean voyages. Bugis traders established networks connecting Sulawesi with Java, Sumatra, Borneo, Malaya, and beyond, dealing in spices, slaves, and other commodities. Bugis diaspora communities settled throughout the region, sometimes becoming rulers (as in Johor and Selangor). Their navigational knowledge, transmitted orally and in manuscripts, guided sailors across the archipelago. While motorized vessels have replaced sailing ships, Bugis remain important in Indonesian shipping. The pinisi has been recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage.
Five Genders
Traditional Bugis society recognizes five genders: oroane (masculine men), makkunrai (feminine women), calalai (masculine women), calabai (feminine men), and bissu (ritual specialists combining male and female elements). The bissu serve as priests in pre-Islamic Bugis religion, presiding at ceremonies with their ambiguous gender believed to give access to both male and female spiritual realms. Though Islamic influence has marginalized bissu and non-binary genders, they persist in some contexts. This system demonstrates that binary gender is not universal and provides an example of culturally institutionalized gender diversity. Contemporary LGBTQ+ activists have highlighted Bugis traditions in discussions of Indonesian attitudes.
Contemporary Bugis
Modern Bugis are predominantly Muslim, with Islam deeply integrated into Bugis identity after conversion in the 17th century. They remain significant in Indonesian commerce, shipping, and agriculture. South Sulawesi's capital, Makassar, is a major commercial center. Bugis diaspora communities are found throughout Indonesia and Malaysia, often maintaining distinct identity. Traditional aristocratic structures (the Bugis had several kingdoms) have given way to modern governance, though descent from noble families retains social prestige. The Lontara script, once used for literature and records, is now mainly ceremonial. Bugis navigate between maritime heritage, Islamic identity, and Indonesian national integration in contemporary life.
References
- Pelras, C. (1996). The Bugis
- Macknight, C. C. (1976). The Voyage to Marege: Macassan Trepangers in Northern Australia
- Davies, S. G. (2010). Gender Diversity in Indonesia: Sexuality, Islam and Queer Selves