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campaign to expose younger generations to the phinisi wooden boat, a triumph of Bugis culture, is newly underway at Fort Rotterdam beach in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

Supported by both government and outside donors, the Makassar Skalia Foundation has begun a phinisi boat-building project on the beach, inviting the public to observe a process that will take months. Sapril Akhmady, a foundation chairman, said the project grew out of a concern that Makassar residents, especially children, were unfamiliar with an important cultural heritage.

'€œThe boat is a product of the people of South Sulawesi, but is not easily seen here in Makassar. You have to go as far as Raja Ampat in Papua to see an example,'€ Sapril said on the sidelines of the opening event on Sunday.

Phinisi boats, known for their ability to punch through big waves and sail great distances, typically have two masts and seven sails of differing sizes.

Due to their strength and agility, they have been used by traders across the archipelago for centuries.

The foundation is hoping to finish construction of the boat in August. In addition to watching the building process, visitors can also learn about the history of phinisi sailing.

'€œUpon completion, we will name the boat Phinisi Edukasi Bahari [Marine Education] and it will be used either as a laboratory, a library, or a marine museum,'€ Sapril said, adding that the boat would participate in an international sailing event later this year.

Weighing 140 tons, the boat will be 25 meters long, 5.5 meters wide and have an 8-meter-high mast.

Timber from trees native to South Sulawesi, including ulin (ironwood), bitti (New Guinea teak) and pude (beauty leaf), will be used in the construction.

The project is expected to cost Rp 2.3 billion (US$174,600), and related activities Rp 1.2 billion.

'€œWe have been fund-raising since last year and have raised around 30 percent of the cost in cash and materials,'€ Sapril said.

The boat will be built by five traditional builders from Ara'€™ village in Bonto Bahari district, Bulukumba regency. The regency is well-known as a shipbuilding center.

Ari Aswandi, one of the builders, said he was optimistic the boat would be completed in five months. '€œWe will build an original phinisi boat in accordance with methods passed down by our ancestors,'€ he added.

Makassar Mayor Mohammad Ramdhan said the administration was ready to support the plan. '€œI, myself, has never seen a phinisi, let alone ridden in one. The boat is a part of our history, culture and heritage,'€ Ramdhan said.