Balla Lompoa Gowa District Traditional House

A. Overview

Balla Lompoa Museum is a house on stilts from the palace of Gowa Kingdom which was founded in the reign of King of Gowa-31, I-mangngi Mangngi Matutu Daeng, in 1936. The building stands firmly between the roar of the city Sungguminasa, Gowa-district neighbors in the south of Makassar. Seventy years is not a short time for all the history he has witnessed. In the language of Makassar, Balla Lompoa means a big house or house of greatness. The architecture of the museum is shaped typical Bugis houses, ie houses on stilts, with a ladder as high as more than two feet to get into the patio space. The entire building is made of ironwood or ironwood. The building is located in a one-hectare complex is bordered by high concrete wall. The majority of buildings are made of ironwood is now a museum which became the collection of objects Kingdom of Gowa. While visiting the museum some time ago, I saw things traditional and ancient manuscripts displayed in glass cases.


Building the museum is divided into two parts, the main hall area of ​​60 x 40 meters and a terrace room (reception area) covering 40 x 4.5 meters. Inside the main room there are three chambers, namely: the king's chamber as private rooms, cubicles where the historic objects, and the royal chamber. All three chambers are each measuring 6 x 5 meters. Museum building is also equipped with lots of windows (which are the hallmark of Bugis houses), each measuring 0.5 x 0.5 meters.

This museum serves as a place to store a collection of objects Kingdom of Gowa. Historic objects on display based on the general function of each room in the museum building. At the front of the main building, a map of Indonesia displayed on the right side of the wall. In the main room displayed a family tree starting from the King of the Kingdom of Gowa Gowa I, Tomanurunga in the 13th century, until the last king of Gowa Aididdin Sultan Abdulkadir A. Moch Idjo Karaeng Lalongan (1947-1957). In the main room, there is a place on the throne in a special area in the middle of the room. Some of the tools of war, such as spears and ancient cannons, as well as a lalong sipue umbrella (umbrella that is used when the king's inauguration) are also displayed in this room.

The museum was never restored in 1978-1980. Until now, the local government has allocated $ 25 million per year for the overall maintenance costs.

B. Feature

Museum Balla Lompoa save valuable collection of objects that are not only valuable because of its historic value, but also because the material of manufacture of gold or other precious stones. In this museum there are about 140 royal collection of objects of high value, such as crowns, bracelets, buttons, necklaces, a dagger and other objects are generally made of pure gold and decorated with diamonds, ruby ​​stones, and gems. Among these collections, have an average weight of 700 grams, even up to or more than 1 kilogram. In the king's personal space, there is a cone-shaped crown royal lotus flower (five strands of sepals) weighs 1768 grams which is sprinkled with 250 diamonds gems. In this museum there is also a tatarapang, the dagger of gold weighing 986.5 grams, with a shelf 51 cm and width 13 cm, which was a gift from the Kingdom of Demak. In addition to these precious jewels, there is still a collection of historic objects, such as: 10 pieces of the spear, 7 pieces lontara manuscript, and 2 books of Quran hand-written in 1848.

Balla Lompoa Museum in Jalan Sultan Hasanuddin No.. 48 Sungguminasa, Somba Opu, Gowa regency, South Sulawesi.

D. Access

The museum is located in the City Sungguminasa directly adjacent to the city of Makassar. Travel can be reached by private vehicles and public transport, either four wheels or two wheels.

E. Accommodation and Facilities

Inside the complex, available services guide who will provide information to visitors about the museum itself and everything to do with a collection of historic objects in it.

F.  Secret Lontara

From posters lontara script there are three types of literacy lontara Bugis Makassar. First script-jangang jangang lontara toa, which is a script lontara past. Second, the script lontara sulapa Appa (squares), which is a script that is used lontara common in the community. Finally, the script lontara tell the cleaners, specifically used in the kingdom which is intended to maintain the confidentiality of the kingdom. Lontara toa and lontara tell the cleaners only have a vocal character A. Unlike the lontara sulapa Appa has varied sound, A, I, U, E, O, E. This script was made by Daeng Pamatte (shahbandar Kingdom of Gowa, in tahun1958).

In the king's private room, there are heirlooms that became emblematic of King of Gowa. Among other things, Salokoa, namely makhkota conical king lotus flower (five strands of sepals). It weighs 1768 grams which betabur 250 gem diamonds. Used every inauguration of the king.

Prominent in this museum is a collection of precious objects that are not only valuable because the content of history but also because the materials of manufacture, such as pure gold and other precious stones. One of interest is the tatarapang, kris gold weighing 986.5 grams. Length 51 cm and width 13 cm, which was a gift from the kingdom of Demak.

It is unfortunate, though Balla 'Lompoa is one of the few heritage sites but the preservation of the kingdom of Gowa museum is still fairly minimal. These collections are old enough this is only given in the form of fluorescent lighting, which in addition can not provide the maximum illumination, can also emit heat that can damage the collection. According to A. Kumala Ijo, is very minimal interest in the preservation of a collection of historic objects. Menurtunya, the lack of a clear budget for their maintenance.

Now the big house was still standing strong in the center of Gowa. Iconic toughness Gowa royal past. However, should the cultural sites of South Sulawesi in the past is just a silent witness that will be forgotten, and not developed as a tourist destination that interests the public?

Posted in: Tradisional House