Sulawesi, Indonesia

Funeral in Tana Toraja, Sulawesi


Sulawesi is one of the major islands of Indonesia. Covering 174,600 sq km (67,410 sq km), the island - which looks somewhat like the letter "K" - is located between Kalimantan to the west and the Maluku Islands to the east. It is the third largest island in Indonesia after New Guinea, Borneo and Sumatra.

Sulawesi was formerly known in English as Celebes, a name that was derived from the Portuguese. The present name Sulawesi is said to mean "island of iron". Sulawesi is the traditional homeland of the Bugis people, a tribe renowned seafarers, who are still the predominant group on the island today.

Sulawesi comprises six provinces namely South Sulawesi, West Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, Gorontalo and North Sulawesi.

Tourist interest on Sulawesi is centered on the culture of Tana Toraja, which performs burials on hill cliffs. Funerals are often staged on a grand scale. The remains of the deceased may be kept in the family home for years until such time that they can afford a grand funeral. Also of interest in Sulawesi are the granite megaliths of Central Sulawesi. These have been dated to between 3,000 BC and 1300 AD.

Bukanen Marine Park, Sulawesi

Visiting Sulawesi

The main gateway to Sulawesi is the city of Malassa. You can fly there by SilkAir from Singapore or AirAsia from Kuala Lumpur.

Major Cities in Sulawesi

Tourist Destinations of Sulawesi

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