Pinisi refers to the famous 'Sulawesi Schooner' rig and sails in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. This type of vessel is an extension of the millennia-old tradition of Austronesian boatbuilding and navigation that has led to the creation of a wide variety of sophisticated watercraft. Pinisi has become the epitome of the Archipelago's indigenous sailing craft both for Indonesians and international.
Currently, boatbuilding centers are located at Tana Beru, Bira, and Batu Licin, where 70 percent of the population earns their living through boatbuilding and navigation. Shipbuilding and sailing aren't just the economic backbone of these communities, but also their center of daily life and identity. Mutual understanding between shipbuilders and their customers is strengthened as a result of the reciprocal cooperation between them. Throughout the family circle, as well as to individuals outside the family, this element is passed on through knowledge and skill sharing. People, groups, and communities involved actively participate in safeguarding efforts, such as by marketing campaigns and publishing books on the subjects.