Google doodle celebrates the pinisi — a sailing rig that originated in South Sulawesi

This Doodle honours pinisi, a South Sulawesi-originating sailing gear. Traditionally, an Indonesian sailboat’s gaff-ketch rigging type is referred to as pinisi. It usually refers to the majority of wooden Sulawesi ships built today. Their unique features include a bowsprit and r sails that are distributed over two masts.

The term “pinisi” was first used on this day in 2017 to describe the skill of boatbuilding in South Sulawesi, which is recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Though the first modern pinisi boat was made in 1906 by sailors in South Sulawesi, the tradition of boatbuilding dates back thousands of years in Indonesia. They discovered that eliminating the middle stern post allowed the boats to move more quickly, which was a significant benefit for moving people and goods. They were inspired by European rigging systems. A sizable hull that protrudes above the ship’s bow is part of the magnificent design. Over time, boats became more and more popular, but Sulawesi still has the most renowned pinisi boat community.

Pinisi boats started to have engines added in the 1980s. The boat’s design was finally finalised in the 1990s, following years of oral sharing. The boatbuilding heritage of South Sulawesi is still being felt today. These days, pinisi boats are the preferred option for tourism and fishing trips.