Narratives of Sexuality in Bugis and Makasar Manuscripts

Abstract

Assikalaibineng is an indigenous Bugis and Makasar knowledge system of sexuality and sexual relations that absorbed Islamic values, specifically Sufi teachings that became the ideological basis of this knowledge. It has been narrated in both textual and oral form since the 17th century and continues to be known and practiced by a number of Bugis and Makasar, most of whom follow Sufi tariqa. A notable feature of these texts is that they place considerable emphasis on the sexual enjoyment of the female. This aspect can perhaps be seen as indigenous and equates with Reid's (1988: 148–50) picture of sexual relations in early modern Southeast Asia where there was an emphasis on the erotic pleasure of a women. From the 17th century knowledge of assikalaibineng and the ownership and production of texts appears to have been largely exclusive, its practice limited to the social elite, such as upper and middle ranking nobility, and ulama or santri associated with tariqa. This exclusivity probably lessened in the 20th century with the rise of the Khalwatiah Samman but assikalaibineng knowledge was still largely restricted to tariqa followers. The incorporation of Islamic values into Bugis and Makasar sexual culture appears to have brought a more ethical approach to sex, in particular for those of elite descent. Historical records reveal several cases of sexual exploitation by early Bugis rulers who abused their position. For example, the Bone ruler La Inca Matinroe ri Addenenna (1584–1595) is known to have raped unmarried girls and married woman before he was eventually murdered (Ali 1969: 22). Another example is the 18th century ruler of Belawa, La Malloroseng, who intercepted women who passed by his palace and forced them to have sex.15 Improper sexual practice appears to have become less common among the elite with the development of assikalaibineng knowledge as it provided guidance and an ethical framework created from a combination of indigenous Bugis and Makasar