Selayar's Role as a Maritime and Trade Channel in the 16th-17th Century

by Andi Nuralang

Abstract

The author presents the significance of Selayar's role as passage way for shipping and trading in the 16th-17th Century. Selayar is the largest island amongst a group of islands scattered in the south of Tanjung Bira, South Sulawesi (Celebes). In regard to its geographical position as an island apart from mainland Sulawesi, Selayar provides a strategic location for trade activity and performs as merchant's transit-port, for instance, to obtain shipping supplies or to avoid menacing heavy weather. In the long run, Selayar became a very potential commercial site.

(Source: naditira Widya Nomor 5/2000:26-33; ISSN 1410-0932)