Discover Kalegowa: Slow Travel Destination in South Sulawesi
3 min readTEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Slow travel is a growing trend where people stay in one place for a considerable amount of time to connect with the local culture and life.
Agoda, the digital travel platform announced nine major destinations for slow travel across Asia. In second place is Kalegowa, a region in Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Kalegowa offers a landscape of expansive rice fields, hills, and river streams. Various rich local wisdom and philosophies are the main attraction of this area.
Kalegowa is located approximately 10 kilometers from Makassar City. The area is situated on high ground, 6 kilometers from the banks of the Jeneberang River up north.
Exploring History and Culture in Kalegowa
For history buffs, take a trip to Somba Opu fortress near Kalegowa, which has existed since the 16th century. As reported by Indonesia Kaya, this fortress was built by King Gowa IX, Kareng Tu Mapa’risi Kallonna. It covers an area of 15 hectares with a height of about 7-8 meters.
Inside the fortress, there is a Museum Karaeng Pattingalloang. The museum is named after a scholar who lived during the Gowa Kingdom. The museum collects various materials that were used to build Somba Opu Fortress. In another section, there is a collection of traditional everyday tools, traditional clothing, and weaponry.
Residents pose for a photo in the area of Istana Balla Lompoa (Great House) in Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi, on Wednesday, October 27, 2021. Istana Balla Lompoa, built by the 31st Gowa government in 1936, serves as a storage place for historical objects such as spears, ancient cannons, crowns, lontara script manuscripts, traditional clothing, and royal jewelry, making it one of the historical tourist attractions in Gowa Regency. ANTARA FOTO/Abriawan Abhe
Aside from the fortress, visit the Balla Lompoa Museum to see the authentic structure of Bugis traditional houses. The high-raised platform house with a high-saddled roof appears to be pointed. The construction materials are made of wood with a roof made of rumbia leaves.
A Taste of Coto Makassar
Make sure to taste Coto Makassar, a traditional soup filled with buffalo meat originated in South Sulawesi. In an interview with historian Andi Suriadi Mappangara, as quoted from RRI, Coto Makassar emerged during times of warfare, as it could be served in large portions. The typical South Sulawesi dish is often used as a symbol of friendship among locals.
Coto Makassar was initially made using rice water and shrimp paste, but today, the soup can be clear and thick, with additional condiments, such as peanuts, eggs, and others.
The strong flavor of the soup comes from the combination of ten spices. In the past, locals would usually add ballo (a type of tuak) or vinegar to obtain a sour taste before consuming Coto Makassar. However, it is now replaced with lime as a complement to the dish.
MUHAMMAD RIFAN PRIANTO
Editor’s Choice: 8 Slow Travel Destinations in Asia, Including in Indonesia
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