When I was a volunteer guide at the National Museum in Kuala Lumpur, I vividly remember being captivated by a large model of an ancestor of the phinisi. This traditional boat symbolized the maritime soul of Indonesia. What the model didn’t reveal, but what I later discovered, was how deeply these boats are intertwined with Indonesia’s history and identity. This replica embodied the trade and migration routes that connected India with the Indo-Malay archipelago as early as the 12th century.
But it was much later, during my first visit to Bira, that I truly felt the magic of these sailing vessels. I can still picture the vast beach, where massive wooden phinisi were taking shape under the skilled hands of local artisans. These boats seemed almost alive. The wood, each piece unique and irreplaceable, carried its own story. It was awe-inspiring to think that everything, absolutely everything, was in the minds of the builders—knowledge passed down from father to son over generations.
François, the owner of Jakare and Jinggo Janggo, describes phinisi in simple yet powerful words: “Extraordinary, these boats live. They transport you to history and make you dream.” These words echo in my mind whenever I think of those craftsmen, their remarkable skills, and the living legacy they continue to preserve.
Indianization and the Golden Age of Hindu Kingdoms
These phinisi—or rather, their ancestors—already played a major role in the maritime history of the archipelago. As early as the 8th century, bas-reliefs on the Borobudur temple in Central Java showcased their importance. These carvings depict sailing vessels with tanjak sails, typical of the western Indonesian archipelago, silent witnesses to early trade and cultural exchanges.
During the reigns of Hindu kingdoms like Srivijaya and Majapahit, these boats were much more than transportation. They carried goods, but also ideas, religions, and cultures, contributing significantly to the Indianization of the archipelago. The wood they were built from, often blessed before construction, seemed infused with ancestral energy.
Under the Majapahit Empire, phinisi and their predecessors took center stage, connecting far-flung territories and consolidating an empire that extended to present-day Malaysia and the Philippines. These vessels were floating bridges between civilizations, carrying silk, spices, and stories from distant lands.
The Spice Route: The Maritime Legacy of the Bugis
From the 12th century, the Bugis people of Sulawesi were renowned for their maritime prowess. The Bugis kingdom, located in the southwest of Sulawesi, flourished thanks to their navigational expertise. This Austronesian people, robust in physique and indomitable in spirit, were not only exceptional sailors but also fierce warriors and visionary traders.
Their secret weapon was the phinisi. By the 15th century, these sailing vessels were designed to brave the unpredictable winds and powerful currents of the archipelago’s seas. The phinisi became a natural extension of their maritime skills, a tool that embodied their ingenuity and resilience.
The Bugis were legendary sailors, often described as “fierce warriors,” but it was their skill as seafarers and traders that truly set them apart. Their phinisi carried cloves, nutmeg, and other treasures along perilous spice routes to the farthest ports.
Building the Phinisi: An Ancestral Craft
François often shares the story of Haji Puga Wahab, the craftsman who built the Jakare. He describes him as a man whose hands seemed to read the wood. Each phinisi he crafted was unique, a reflection of the tree chosen for its keel. “No blueprints,” François marvels. “Everything is in their heads, passed down from father to son.”
In Tanah Beru, the shipyards still echo with the sounds of traditional tools. On the sandy beaches, Konjo artisans shape these boats using techniques that have endured for centuries.
Every step in constructing a phinisi blends art and spirituality. Before work begins, the tree destined to become the keel is carefully selected. It must be perfect, strong, and is often blessed through rituals to honor the spirits. Each wooden piece is meticulously fitted, joined not with nails or screws but with wooden pegs, creating a structure of unmatched strength and elegance.
Standing on the beach, surrounded by these towering phinisi under construction, I can feel the depth of this craftsmanship. Each boat carries a story, a soul.
The Phinisi Today: A Living Heritage
In 2017, UNESCO recognized phinisi as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This acknowledgment celebrates what these boats represent: a bridge between past and present, a testament to the resilience of Indonesia’s maritime cultures.
Our boats, the Jakare and the Jinggo Janggo, are born of this tradition. When you step aboard, you’re not just boarding a sailing vessel, you’re embarking on a journey through time. You feel the warmth of the wood beneath your feet, the wind filling the sails, and the magic of a craft passed down through generations. It’s an immersion into the living history of Indonesia.
François captures this sentiment best: “Each phinisi is unique. They make you dream, and when you step aboard, you’re connected to something far greater.”
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