So, what really makes La Galigo so special? And, how the work can be so long? He spread the tale of seven generations. This is different from folklore from elsewhere in Indonesia, which is generally shaped Banjaran (the story of one character from birth to death). Colossal story is also seen to 1,000 key figures who inhabit the episode-episode. Christian Pelras, a scientist from France, had made 672 business cards Galigo Sureq figures.

Of course, not just what makes this unique Galigo. Campbell Macknight, professor emeritus of anthropology at the Australian National University in Canberra, called Galigo is a significant cultural achievement. In fact, the material most widely elaborated Galigo text in various language versions in Bugis.

La Galigo spread in two ways: oral and written tradition. The first tradition recognized by almost all ethnic in Sulawesi, Kalimantan and even some Malay Peninsula. As for the latter practically only be done by the Bugis community. In one work, La Galigo have conventions of language (ie language for Galigo that can easily called Ancient Bugis language), literature, metrum (teachers and teacher wilangan song), and groove. For example, one stanza must consist of five lines and character names must consist of five syllables: Sawerigading, I La Galigo, I We Cudaiq, and so on.

Galigo estimated born in the early centuries AD. Until the 15th century, its spread is still spoken, with language that enter the Austronesian family (which is used to the Fiji Islands.) Evidence supporting the similarity of the social hierarchy system used ethnic Pacific entrance of this family. Written tradition allegedly started in the 15th century. Since the script is documented, Galigo already wandering to distant countries, especially Holland. Who signed up to the library of the United States in Washington, DC, in the 19th century was the fruit of the hands of Ismail bin Husin, a Bugis munsyi Wajo birth who lives in Singapore.

Galigo structure can be divided into two major parts, the story is the beginning of the cosmology that tell the origins of human presence on earth. The second part which tells the system which is very important status as a grip in Bugis social life. According Fachruddin Enre Ambo, professor of literature at the State University of Makassar, which tells the first human ancestors aka Bugis kings, especially those Luwu, is considered sacred. This text should not be read carelessly. Even the title is deliberately using the name sureq Galigo, instead Sawerigading. Though Sawerigading is the main role. However, the reason for not using Sawerigading name as the title because the name should not be pronounced arbitrary.

Part creation of the universe even more wingit seated again so strongly suppressed for a limited circle. Not all the nobleman Bugis who still keep the manuscript of this period willing to share his knowledge on to others. Whitewater Pujié Colliq Pancana Toa, Bugis noble woman who collects stories Galigo to Dutch researcher Dr. B.F. Mathhes in 1852, for example, start writing lontaraq with scenes deliberations of the gods to lower the Guru as the embryo of man on earth.

As a result, the story cycle Galigo before human birth was considered as a period of "sacred"-a mere handful of still unknown. One is a manuscript At rilingé Sangiang Serrí (Start The creation Sangiang Serrí). The screenplay was obtained Christian Pelras, researchers from France, from a nobleman Bugis. This text tells the story of WE Oddang Nriwú, the youngest pair Heaven and Datu Datu Patotoe Palinge. WE Oddang, Guru's brother, is reported to have a beauty that could make the men who saw him mad (this kind of female beauty seems like Remedios The Beauty, the characters in the novel One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez). In order not to cause havoc everywhere, WE Oddang eventually was transformed into rice plants with a new name Sangiang Serrí. In this way, he still loved by many people and at the same time do not invite distress. The story is what gave birth Sangiang Serrí tradition of farmers offering ceremony before the start of the planting season.

The main part of La Galigo none other than Sawerigading life. Guru grandchildren this story so compelling, so that the people of South Sulawesi consider this figure significantly. That is, Galigo treated as historical sources for the period from the time of copper-iron end of the (prehistoric). Can we? Ian Caldwell, a professor of history at the University of Hull, England, who conducted archaeological research in Luwu sealama three years and beyond, menampiknya. The reason, an anachronism (placement of events at the wrong time) is scattered in the text La Galigo. For example, the image of the Kingdom of Luwu and China King are a reflection of political and demographic circumstances in the 15th century to 17. In fact, from the use of archaic language Galigo (not commonly used), it appears that Galigo was born during a much more ancient.

The story of the odyssey Sawerigading by ship La Welérénngé to various distant land, when viewed with the glasses actual pilotage, looks odd. The travel time to areas that are geographically very close could take many months, whereas for the more distant areas even within a short time only. Therefore, Horst H. Liebner, a German scientist who for many years to learn the ins and outs of the traditional boats of South Sulawesi, judging that Sawerigading trip was a dream trip. As a result, most of the archipelago according Galigo toponomi-by Luwu as the "center of the world"-by Liebner nothing more than an effort to glorify the triumph of Bugis without seeing the reality of the real world. "The noble Bugis those days wanted was hailed as the ruler of the universe," Liebner said.

Given bertaburnya "carelessness" of data, alleged Galigo transmitters are aristocratic women Bugis unfamiliar with the world cruise or geography. Indications that indicates the identity of the author is drawing knacks Bissu ceremonies and activities such detail. It is more widely known group noblewoman.

Puddle of fantasy in Galigo was so worried when the manuscript was used as a reference history. On the other hand, it is considered Nirwan Ahmad Arsuka, curator Bentara Culture, it shows the power of literature Galigo. He praised the author's imagination. However, the most enticing of Galigo Nirwan is petingkah main characters. He considered Galigo ran far beyond his time. "The description is so transparent is very close to cutting-edge literary world trend that goes beyond romance and ready to make peace with figures of anti-hero," said a bloody Nirwan this Bugis.

Description of the narrators Galigo intelligence could even longer written. But this will not be able to cover up the fact that this sureq now increasingly faded charm. Many factors make Galigo receding. Initial onslaught on Galigo began when Islam arrived in Sulawesi in the 14th century. Initially, still occur syncretism which provides living space Galigo teachings. For example, the gods in this epic classified genie good group, while Sangiang Serrí no longer called the goddess of rice but the rice spirit. However, since the end of the 18th century, began to grow in South Sulawesi who want religious teachings of Islam carried out pure. The climax is the period of 1950-1965, a time when the Darul Islam rebellion. Bissu, as one of the main heir to the teachings of Galigo, the most pathetic victims. The remaining Bissu also could not take part because the prestige of nobility more Bugis also be guidance as they dim. Another factor is the modernization Galigo kesaktian drown. Epic who used to have so not comforting behavior function when compared with television. The farmers also rely more on fertilizer and improved seed instead of giving offerings to the Sangiang Serrí.

However Fachruddin see this bad luck is not experienced Galigo, but also other traditional literature in South Sulawesi. He saw the younger generation is not interested because their parents are not paying attention. Exceptions certainly exist. Maqbul Halim, 29, an NGO activist in the field of mass media who live in Makassar, admits that they read La Galigo. "As a child, in my kampong in Wajo, from parents and grandparents, I frequently heard a fragment of a story about the life of the Bugis noble champion or hero who turns out to be a part of Galigo." This young man looks eloquently spoke of this manuscript. But people like Maqbul very little.

Efforts to restore the public Galigo actually already started a long time in academic. But the course is still stumbling. Fachruddin exemplifies the weight step publishing 12 volumes of manuscripts Galigo (a transliteration and translation work in the Indonesian language has been finalized Muhammad Salim within a period of 5 years 3 months). "Who is ready to give it the Dutch government cash injection, ironic, but for two volumes only need about Rp 100 million," said Fachruddin.

In a seminar in Barru, many proposals to revive the popular La Galigo: making soap operas, comic, or a rewrite in the form of novels. Which has already begun-though new-preproduction phase is La Galigo filmmaking. Initiators is the choreographer and dancer Restu Iman Sari and Emmy Award-winning director from the United States, Rhoda Grauer. Initially, this duo intend to make a documentary about traditional Bugis boat. It turns out they actually "lost" make a movie about Bissu. From this production, they know the epic Galigo and had no choice but captivated. "Hard to believe there is such an important thing on this earth Galigo unknown globally," said Grauer.

A good sign of labor Restu and Grauer-which is now pleased to be called by the name Makkarodda (like one character in Galigo) - is a willingness to be a director Robert Wilson's staging of La Galigo. Wilson is a very prominent stage director in America. One of the most famous work is Einstein on the Beach (1976), which is touted as an entirely new approach to musical theater. The film is scheduled for later finished in 2004 is expected to open the eyes of many parties. Indeed, the beauty of La Galigo is not just for the Bugis heritage.