How The Legend Pinisi Ships are Made?

Pinisi ship, an Indonesian legendary sea transportation that has been used since the period of our ancestors, has a unique manufacturing process.

The Kebhinekaan series of Modul Nusantara's journey is still continuing to explore Bulukumba. At this time, the destination is located in Tanah Beru Village. It is the largest Pinisi shipbuilding in South Sulawesi. Pinisi ship is used as sea transportation and has been known for its toughness since the 15th century. According to history, the Pinisi ship was once used to sail the five continents in the world.

(Pinisi Ship // Photo by Pramestiiww)

The Pinisi ship has a unique manufacturing process which still maintains the tradition. All of the manufacturing processes are done manually without a skeleton design and all done by human labor. Before the manufacturing process begins, the Pinisi maker should choose a good day between the 5th and 7th of the month. These two dates are believed as a good fortune. A sacred ritual is also held during the process of lodging and selecting the woods as the materials for Pinisi making. The wood that is used usually a combination of Bitti and Ulin wood. The Pinisi shipbuilding process does not require nails at all. 

(The manufacturing process of Pinisi ship // Photo by Pramestiiww)

Pinisi ship is 2,5 meters in high and 15 meters in length. It also has two main sail masts with seven pieces of screen. These seven pieces of screen have a meaning that Indonesian ancestors were able to sail the seven oceans of the world. Pinisi ship is a representation of Indonesian sailor power.

Usually, the manufacturing process of a Pinisi ship spends 3 to 6 months or more, depending on the materials, season, and size of the ship. The process of making a Pinisi ship is only done by 6 to 10 people. Because the manufacturing process is complicated and takes a long time, one Pinisi ship is estimated at 12 billion rupiahs. UNESCO designated the Pinisi shipbuilding as an intangible cultural heritage in 2017 because of its uniqueness.