"MAKASSAR" is the City, the Kingdom, and Ethnicity

hear the word of Makassar, which will probably occur in most people's minds Indonesia is a city in the southern tip of the island of Sulawesi, is exactly what has now become the capital of South Sulawesi province.
Makassar, a city, has now developed into a metropolitan region into the gate area of ​​eastern Indonesia. With a number of good tourism potential of natural beauty, culinary, and historic sites, Makassar offers itself as a modern city based on local wisdom.
However, behind the greatness of the name of the city of Makassar, not many know about the history of Makassar name itself. Even people who are also not many know that in addition to being a name Makassar the capital of South Sulawesi province is the name of a large ethnic, besides Bugis, Mandar, and Toraja, inhabiting the south coast of Sulawesi.
In the text pages of ancient manuscripts such as the inclusion of Makassar in the literal word in the book written by poet MPU Negarakertagama Prapanca, at the time of Majapahit (1364). In the book there are poems Negarakertagama the Kawi language is melodious with sound:
"Muwah-Tangi desert sanusa mengaram ri lombok Mira opponent tikangi Saksakadi nikayn kahaivaan kaboh muwah tanahi scout Bantayan Bantayan lon Luwuk Tokong Udamakatrayadhi nikanang sanasapupul.hhIkang sakasanusanusa Makassar Butun Banggawi Kuni Ggali mwangi yao (ng) Muar Solot Selaja Sumba muwah tikangi Wandan Ambwan sthawa Ewanin ri Seran I ningageka nusatutur Makadi East
Listening to the text content of an ancient manuscript poem written on the Hindu era in the above, it is obvious that countries Bantayan (Bantaeng), Luwuk, Udamaktraya (Talad), Makassar, Butun, Banggai, Salayar (Selayar), Sumba, Solot (Solor), Muar (Kei), Wandan (Banda), Ambwan (Ambon), Seram and East in ancient times influenced by Hinduism. When the kingdom of Majapahit Mangkasara know the area, the kingdom of Gowa at that time did not yet exist. Land Gowa headed by a chairman who holds Paccalla. He was assisted by nine members who holds Kasiang Salapang.


Mangkasara area called by the Hindus in the poem is a land Negarakertagama southern tip of Sulawesi peninsula between the river and the area Jeneberang Bantaeng, namely Jeneponto, Takalar Topojawa, Laikang, Cikoang and Bangkala. Until now the land is called Mangkasara or Parasanganang Mangkasaraka.
In addition, the word is also listed in Makassar Rodeigues map (map of a Portuguese merchant), the island of Borneo is called the big island of Makassar (A gramde Ilha de Maquacer) and the island of Sulawesi in the map of Godindo de Eredia called Makassar (Macazar). Even in the trip reports Portuguese traders and nomads mention the port cities of the South Sulawesi peninsula west dipesisir with the predicate "Makassar" like Siang Makassar, Bacokiki Makassar, Makassar Suppa, Napo Makassar, Makassar Sidenreng and others.With the search further by experts, the word "Makassar" can be explained in several ways, namely:
In terms of meaning. To become a perfect human need "Ampakasaraki", which is manifest (menjasmanikan) what is contained in the inner was realized by deeds. "Mangkasarak" manifests itself as the perfect man with the teachings of TAO or TAU (the science of spiritual beliefs). So what is understood some people that "Mangkasarak" is a figure of individuals behave rude and irritable, easily offended people Actually it was a subtle feeling.
In terms of history. Sources of Portuguese at the beginning of the 16th century have noted the name "Makassar". 16th-century "Makassar" has become the capital of the Kingdom of Gowa. In the same century, the capital of Makassar as well known by foreign nations.
In terms of language. In terms of etymology (Daeng Ngewa, 1972:1-2), Makassar derived from the word "Mangkasarak" which consists of two morphemes connective "mang" and the free morpheme "kasarak". Connective morpheme "mang" means: a). Have properties such as those contained in the said base. b). Become or manifest itself as expressed by the word essentially. Free morphemes ¬ "kasarak" contains (meaning: a). Bright, real, clear, firm. b). It appears from the explanation. c). Large (as opposed to small or subtle).
From some descriptions can be concluded that the word "Mangkasarak" implies, have a great nature (noble) and frank (honest). Elaboration within the broad context is a person who has the nature or character "Mangkasarak" means the person is great (noble), honest (honest). Also in line with what was said in his heart.Prof. DR. H. A. Mattulada (1991) One has outlined a humanist conception of Makassar Makassar or Mangkasara, which contain at least 3 kinds of lack of understanding, namely:
Napier as an ethnic group (ethnic Indonesia) dwell along the southern coast of the peninsula of South Sulawesi, and has its own language and civilization
Makassar, Makassar is the name for the Sultanate which consists of two twin kingdoms of Gowa-Tallo, and is the most powerful kingdom in Sulawesi in eastern Indonesia or VI-XVII centuries.
Makassar, the capital of the kingdom, which flourished after the fall of Malacca to the Portuguese hands in 1511 and became a trading center, the kingdom of Makassar include Somba Opu fort, and Fort Panakukang Ujungpandang (Jumpandang).

 Source :bahrul makassar's Blog “Sketsa Makassar Sebuah Nama”