Sulawesi's second-largest lake, Lake Tempe is a natural wonder not to be missed during a journey through Indonésie. Beyond its stunning landscape, it offers a profoundly enriching human experience through stays among the inhabitants of floating houses situated in the heart of the lake.

History

Once upon a time, Lake Tempe was the sole navigation route across southern Sulawesi. It connected strategic locations such as the Strait of Makassar, the Bay of Bone, and the mountainous regions of Soppeng.

Another fascinating fact about this lake: an anchor approximately 2 meters in height, discovered on its floor, proves that in the past it was deep enough to allow large vessels to traverse it. Today, this anchor is displayed in front of the Saoraja Mallangga Museum, in the city of Sengkang.

Today

Located at the heart of Bugis country, approximately 7 km from the city of Sengkang, Lake Tempe makes it the second-largest lake on the island of Sulawesi. Its shallow waters are used for fishing and traditional agriculture. Indeed, depending on the season and water levels, Lake Tempe serves as a fishing ground or an area for subsistence farming. This fascinating way in which humans adapt to the biosphere is a spectacle not to be missed during a canoe ride. Moreover, the lake is also known to harbor several endemic fish species, various aquatic flowers, and a wide variety of birds.

Beyond this charming boat tour, you also have the opportunity to stay with families living in floating houses who will be delighted to share their daily life with you. This is a human experience that is both unique and deeply enriching, one that will leave a lasting impression. Indeed, during this brief stay, you will have the chance to share a meal with your host family, to appreciate the sunrise and sunset in the middle of the lake, and then spend the night in the floating house.

Each year, the lake's inhabitants also organize a ritual celebration known as "Maccera Tappareng" or "the purification of the lake." It takes place in August, specifically on the 23rd. During this celebration, the chief of the fishermen sacrifices a bull to purify the lake so it may continue to sustain them. As it is a ritual, participants wear baju bodo, the traditional garment of the Bugis people.

August 23rd is also the date of the Lake Tempe Festival, which features various activities and entertainment. These include traditional boat races, a kite-flying competition, an election for the Kallolona (the most beautiful woman of the village), performances of traditional music, and bissu dancing (a dance performed by individuals expressing the non-binary spiritual beings of Bugis mythology).

The Best Time to Visit

The southern part of Sulawesi enjoys a humid tropical climate with an average annual temperature around 23 to 24°C. The best time to visit is during the dry season, which runs from June through October.

Lake Tempe is located in Tempe District, approximately 7 km from the city of Sengkang. To reach this city from Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi Province, you should allow approximately 6 hours by all-terrain vehicle. From Sengkang, you can then choose between a traditional canoe or a motorized boat to explore the lake.