IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS) Volume 20, Issue 5, Ver. 1 (May. 2015), PP 71-78 e-ISSN: 2279-0837, p-ISSN: 2279-0845. www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0837-20517178 www.iosrjournals.org 71 | Page Bugis Pagatan: Migration, Adaptation and Identity Setia Budhi Faculty of Social Science and Politics, Lambung Mangkurat University Abstract: The Bugis people, specifically the Wajo is one of the tribes in the archipelago which plays an important role in world trade, shipping and handicraft industries. The role was motivated by their spirit as tough sailors and their adaptability to the new lands they settled in. The impact of global economics has influenced the value and product quality in competitive industry. Many craft business with imported raw materials fall into bankruptcy. However, some craft industries are still able to survive in the middle of an economic crisis. One of these is Tenun Pagatan. This paper describes one of the Bugis’ trace technologies in Tanah Bumbu area in South Kalimantan, synonymous with Tenun Pagatan. Tenun Pagatan was brought with the arrival of Bugis who wandered from their native South Sulawesi in 1750. The traditional methods of producing Tenun Pagatan are still used to this day. Bugis in this region are also able to maintain the tradition of the Tenun whilst adopting motifs, colors and traditional customs of local communities. Key words: Bugis, Migration and Adaptation I. Introduction Bugis are one of the most recognized tribes in the archipelago. They are originally from the southwestern part of the island of Sulawesi, included in the large Austronesia family. Throughout the Malay Peninsula and Singapore to the western coast of Papua, the southern Philippines and Borneo to Nusa Tenggara can be found Bugis people’s shipping activity, trade, agriculture, plantations and land clearing. The ability to adjust themselves is the biggest capital that allowed them survive everywhere for centuries and they are also still able to retain their identity (Linneton 1973, Ammarel 2002, Anderson 2003). The objective of this paper was to study and document Orang Bugis and their weaving techniques of the Tenun Pagatan using my own skills as a weaver as my method of obtaining data. My goal was to record the entire weaving process, as well as technical features of the loom, the weaving techniques, and the resulting textiles. Maria Christou (1997) which follows the hypothetic Junius Bird (1963) states that technical data from weaving are important primary references for Andean culture history (1960, 1963). He hypothesized that weaving technology is conservative to change, and therefore, comprises reliable and valid data for evidence of cultural contact. His work is based on archaeological research in Peru, but his ideas may be tested in other areas in the world, such as lndonesia (Niessen, 1993). Yam and textile production are valid primary sources for research in culture history (Bird, 1960; Bolland, 1 979; Frame 1 982; Hitchcock, 1991 ; Maxwell, 1990; Niessen, 1993). "Accurate knowledge of such features as spinning, twist direction, warping procedure, and construction details may well serve as significant dues in tracing cultural diffusion and relationships. “These features provide specific points of reference for comparison" (Bird, 1960,). Furthermore, such inquiries into the hypotheses of acculturation and assimilation are validated by "concentrating on the products of a single region" and then comparing them to data from other surrounding weaving regions (Ibid, p. 47, Christou, 1997). This paper also follow explanations of Mansyur (2012) Bugis Diaspora to Tanah Bumbu a historical approach. Mansyur research on Pagatan Kingdom in South Kalimantan was originally built by Wajo Bugis people of South Sulawesi. It was beginning with the Civil War in Sulawesi in about 1670, when White Palaka, Wajo Bone King was at war with Gowa (when Wajo King helped Gowa Kingdom is still the father and son during a conflict with the Kingdom of Boneo). In that situation the King Bone White Palaka Buton came to Batavia asking for a help. With support from the Dutch successfully defeated King Bone Wajo kingdom, until finally the Bugis Wajo displaced scattered to different regions. Then they built Kampung Makassar Wajo there, to Sumbawa, Bima, Pasir, Banjarmasin, Kutai and Donggala. Every place is occupied or inhabited by Bugis people Wajo always appoint a leader and given the title "MACOA" or "MATOA". Eisenberger (1936), In 1750 Pagatan Word Gesticht Boeginezen Door". This means that in 1750 Pagatan built by the Bugis. According to C. Nagtegaal, Noe En De voormalige Zelfbesture Gouvernements Landschappen In Zuid-Oost Borneo (Utrecht: NVA Oosthoek's Uitgevers-Maatschappij, 1939) and La Mattone Lontara Kapitan (a kingdom Manteri Pagatan and KUSAN written on August 21, 1868). "Traders Bugis from South Sulawesi Wajo came and arrived in Pagatan in the mid 18th century, led by Puanna Dekke".