Macassan History and Heritage: Journeys, Encounters and Influences

• Main Author: Clark, Marshall (auth)
• Other Authors: K. May, Sally (auth)
• Format: Electronic Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Canberra ANU Press 2013
• Subjects: Australasian & Pacific history; indonesia; fishing; resource management; indonesian history; Arnhem Land; Australia; Indigenous Australians; Makassan contact with Australia; Makassar; Sea cucumber; Trepanging; Yolngu
• Online Access: DOAB: download the publication; DOAB: description of the publication

This book presents inter-disciplinary perspectives on the maritime journeys of the Macassan trepangers who sailed in fleets of wooden sailing vessels known as praus from the port city of Makassar in southern Sulawesi to the northern Australian coastline. These voyages date back to at least the 1700s and there is new evidence to suggest that the Macassan praus were visiting northern Australia even earlier. This book examines the Macassan journeys to and from Australia, their encounters with Indigenous communities in the north, as well as the ongoing social and cultural impact of these connections, both in Indonesia and Australia.