ᨈᨕᨘ ᨆᨀᨔᨑ Tu Mangkasaraʼ | |
|---|---|
 Makassar men performing Tari Praga in their traditional costume | |
| Total population | |
| 2,672,590 (2010 census)[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Indonesia (2010 census) | 2,672,590[2] |
 South Sulawesi | 2,380,208 |
 Southeast Sulawesi | 59,301 |
 Papua | 41,239 |
 East Kalimantan | 31,701 |
 DKI Jakarta | 29,444 |
 West Sulawesi | 25,367 |
 Malaysia | unknown (counted as part of local "Malays") |
 Singapore | unknown (counted as part of local "Malays") |
| Languages | |
| Makassarese, Makassar Malay, Indonesian | |
| Religion | |
| Predominantly Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Bugis, Mandar, Toraja | |
The Makassar people or Makassarese are an ethnic group that inhabits the southern part of the South Peninsula, Sulawesi (formerly Celebes) in Indonesia. They live around Makassar, the capital city of the province of South Sulawesi, as well as the Konjo highlands, the coastal areas, and the Selayar and Spermonde islands. They speak Makassarese, which is closely related to Buginese, and also a Malay creole called Makassar Malay.
Makassar people have a history of migration and exploration beyond their homeland in South Sulawesi. Makassar sailors were skilled navigators and traders who ventured out into the vast waters of the Indonesian archipelago and beyond. One notable area of Makassar migration was to the northern coast of Australia, particularly what is now known as the Northern Territory. They established trade relationships with the Aboriginal communities, primarily for the purpose of harvesting and processing sea cucumber. Makassar sailors also engaged in trade and exploration throughout Southeast Asia. They established trade networks, especially in the Malay Peninsula, the Philippines, and Borneo. The Makassan influence can still be seen in the cultural practices and traditions of some of these regions.
- ^ Na'im, Akhsan; Syaputra, Hendry (2010). "Nationality, Ethnicity, Religion, and Languages of Indonesians" (PDF) (in Indonesian). Statistics Indonesia (BPS). Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2015.
- ^ Kewarganegaraan, Suku Bangsa, Agama dan Bahasa Sehari-hari Penduduk Indonesia Hasil Sensus Penduduk 2010. Badan Pusat Statistik. 2011. ISBN 9789790644175. Archived from the original on 2017-07-10.