Saving wood for legendary 'phinisi'

Saving wood for legendary 'phinisi'

Andi Hajramurni, The Jakarta Post, Makassar, South Sulawesi

Phinisi boats, traditional vessels from South Sulawesi, are
typically used to transport goods around the archipelago. But one
special boat is being used as a hi-tech laboratory.

The floating lab was made possible by Osozawa Katsuya, an
expert in tropical bio-resources at Ehime University in Japan.

The boat, built by craftsmen in Tana Beru, Bulukumba regency,
some 200 kilometers south of Makassar, was christened Cinta Laut
(Love the Sea). Weighing 53 gross tons and measuring 27 meters by
5.6 meters, the phinisi was presented by Katsuya to the Boat
Institute in order to conduct research on marine biodiversity and
coastal community life in the region.

The research ship is furnished with a fully equipped lab, a
study and discussion room and a kitchen, in addition to the
navigation and engine rooms. Its communication facilities include
a satellite telephone and the Internet. The vessel will sail for
between three and six months each expedition.

It was Katsuya who had the idea of transforming the boat into
a research ship.

"I compared it with traditional boats in other countries like
India and Europe, and found the phinisi to be far better. The
quality of its construction is in no way inferior to technology-
based manufacturing. Its degree of design intricacy is even
superior. While ship building normally starts with frame
construction, in Tana Beru they build the body first," he said.

Born in Tokyo on Aug. 21, 1953, Katsuya said he admired the
skill of Tana Beru's ship builders, which prompted him to further
study the process and materials used in making a phinisi,
particularly the types of wood.

"They can distinguish the quality and designation of each type
(of wood) with a very high degree of accuracy," he said.

However, the materials used for building phinisi are
disappearing. Originally, about 80 kinds of wood from the
Bulukumba and Selayar forests were used to build a boat, but now
only 10 types are left. Most of the wood has to be brought in
from other regions such as Southeast Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi,
Maluku and Papua.

To research phinisi, Katsuya, a father of three, submitted a
research proposal to Japan's Ministry of Education and Science,
which was approved. He is therefore entitled to a Kagaku Kenkyuu
research grant for a period of three years.

In the first phase, 2003-2004, Katsuya, assisted by several
researchers from Japan and Makassar's Hasanuddin University who
are affiliated with the Boat Institute, will conduct three
studies covering wooden ship materials and forest potential,
wooden ship operation and distribution, as well as marine
biology, coastal and island community life and their relationship
with the dynamics of the sea.

Katsuya recalled he became interested in phinisi when
researching sago in Malangke, Luwu regency, in 1983 for his
master's degree at Chuo University in Tokyo.

"At that time, I met Mattulada, professor of culture at
Hasanuddin University. We had a lot of discussions on the culture
of South Sulawesi. The phinisi was one of the most interesting
topics.

"I promised myself that some day I would return to South
Sulawesi to do research on the famous traditional boat. Though I
had to wait for 20 years, I'm now pleased to be able to see my
dream come true," Katsuya said.

The research starting in August is focused on the forest
potential around Bulukumba and Takabonerate, Selayar, to find
wood that can be used for phinisi building. Bulukumba's forestry
office has cultivated some species but their seedlings are not
yet mature, which is something Katsuya hopes to accomplish.

In his research, Katsuya will involve locals in order to gain
knowledge of different woods and to learn the methods of
cultivation from the people of Tana Beru. "We believe the
Bulukumba people know better so we will absorb their information,
knowledge and experience," he said.

Today, phinisi craftsmen in Tana Beru use a lot more wood from
other regions and the species are no longer as diversified as
they were in the past. Among those now in use are teak,
sandalwood and ulin, or ironwood.

According to Katsuya, phinisi builders originally did not use
ironwood because it is prone to cracking, but a lack of materials
has forced them to utilize the wood. The different woods have
their own legends, such as the bitti, which is believed to have
descended from the sky.

Apart from the local legends, Katsuya described the
cultivation and conservation of the woods used in building the
phinisi as imperative in the effort to preserve the region's
wonderful traditions and craftsmanship. All the types of wood
must be found and studied to nurture their seedlings.

"This must be done now, so that in the next 30 years the
species can be used. Otherwise, I'm afraid the phinisi will only
be a legend," he said.

The birth of "boat forests" in Bulukumba and Selayar is
something that Katsuya is pursuing through his research. The
forests will be reserved for the types of wood serving the needs
of phinisi builders. He claimed that his plan had gained a
positive response from both regencies, but its realization would
take time.

Katsuya hopes the presence of the Cinta Laut lab boat will
increase the awareness of the people of South Sulawesi,
particularly the region's academics, researchers, students and
observers, and enhance their love of the sea so as to help in the
conservation of marine resources and their utilization for the
public's welfare.