Spanish and Portuguese galleons, followed by British and Dutch
traders, sail these seas in search of the spice trade, escorted
by their men-of-war to protect them from the daring raids of the
Bugis and Makasar pirates. Famed for their seafaring culture,
the Bugis are still the driving force behind the world's last
commercial sailing fleet. Bugis vessels have sailed as far as
Australia, leaving behind images of their ships carved in stone,
and Bugis would which were integrated into the Aboriginal
language of northern Australia. The seafaring Bugis dominate the
shouthern tip of Sulawesi, but in the rugged and remarkable
country further north is Tana Toraja, often refered to as the
"Land of the Heavenly Kings". The traditional culture of the
Torajans rivals any in the archipelago, making this area one of
the most popular tourist destinations in Indonesia. Believing
that their forefathers descending from heaven in a boat some
twenty generations ago, the Torajas have a unique Christian-
animist culture. The majorit