Tradition and pride cut through the waves in Sulawesi<\/p>\n
Fabio Scarpello
\nContributor
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
The one-week annual Sulawesi Sandeq boat race will start on
\nSaturday from Majene in South Sulawesi heading for the province's
\ncapital of Makassar some 200 nautical miles away, organizers said
\non Friday.<\/p>\n
During race week, the elements and the fishermen's passion
\ncombine to provide an event that is not to be missed.<\/p>\n
But it is not simply about sailing. Local culture and
\ntradition play an important role as well. A series of cultural
\nactivities and festivals -- organized by the local administration
\n-- complement the race and attract tens of thousands of people
\nall along the coastal legs of the race.<\/p>\n
The race, which is being held for only the sixth time since
\nthe first one in 1995, is based on a hundred-year-old tradition.
\nFor over a century the Mandar people -- an ethnic group of about
\n1,500,000 living in South Sulawesi in the Polewali-Mamasa, Majene
\nand Mamuyu areas -- have raced each other on these vessels.<\/p>\n
For most of the fishermen, winning the race is a lifelong
\nambition, and this year, as always, the crews' glory, and their
\nrespective villages' pride are at stake.<\/p>\n
The race -- organized by the Coastal Societies Research and
\nDevelopment Project run by the Makassar-based Hasanuddin
\nUniversity -- is aimed at bringing the problems of local
\ncommunities to the public's attention, and exploring an
\nalternative way of sustaining themselves by celebrating their
\ncultural heritage.<\/p>\n
One of the organizers, Horst Lieber, said: \"Public awareness
\nand recognition plus the personal pride and cultural dignity of
\nthe people involved are a much stronger driving force for
\nsustainable and appropriate development than any multibillion
\ndollar 'project'.\"<\/p>\n
Saturday will serve as an introduction to the public. The
\nparticipants will parade their vessels in the bay of Majene. On
\nthis occasion, the vessels can be admired from a relatively close
\nrange.<\/p>\n
The peculiar, long and thin shape of the boats gives them
\ntheir name for sandeq translates as \"pointed\". The boats range
\nfrom 5 meters to 15 meters in length; the narrow hull and the
\nhuge sail area are the secret of their speed: up to 25 knots (50
\nkilometers per hour) in favorable winds is normal.<\/p>\n
But the appearance of the boats is deceiving as regards
\nstrength and space. The fully decked hull prevents waves from
\nbreaking over the boat -- allowing it to face into unprotected
\nwaters -- and, at the same time, it can accommodate three to four
\nsailors.<\/p>\n
The real race -- said by some to be the world's longest and
\nhardest -- starts on Sunday, and up till the very end there will
\nbe no respite for the competitors.<\/p>\n
The first leg will take the participants to the gulf of
\nMandar, where the east monsoon is expected to give its usual
\nblustery welcome.<\/p>\n
The port of Makassar should be reached in the late afternoon
\nof next Friday by the first vessels.<\/p>\n
On the last day, Saturday, more racing and entertainment will
\nbe provided to mark Indonesia's Independence Day and the Makassar
\nharbor festival.<\/p>",
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