Maros Pangkep UNESCO Global Geopark is located in the southern part of Sulawesi Island, intersected by the Wallace Line and encompasses Maros and Pangkep Regencies in South Sulawesi Province. The geopark land accounts for 44.6% and water covers 55.4% of the total area, primarily consists of the Bantimurung Bulusaraung National Park on the mainland, along with the Kapoposang Water Tourism Park and the Liukang Tupabbiring Local Marine Conservation in the ocean. Within this geopark, there are 1,437 species of flora and fauna, including 153 endemic species found only in Sulawesi, as well as 52 protected and endangered species.

Celebrating Earth heritage

Maros Pangkep, a UNESCO Global Geopark, showcases three primary landforms. The Thrust Melange of Bantimala Complex, comprising metamorphic rock of low to ultra-high grades, deep marine sedimentary rocks, and tectonic blocks of oceanic crust, this formation dates back 70-135 million years. It serves as crucial evidence of Sulawesi Island's early evolution and contributes to the understanding of pre-tertiary global tectonics. The Karst of Maros Pangkep is a terrestrial section features a magnificent tower karst landscape known as "The Spectacular Towers Karst." The area boasts 572 caves, both horizontally and vertically, exhibiting remarkable speleothem characteristics. The longest cave stretches 27 km and functions as part of the hydrological system, connecting an underground river to dolines, serving as cave entrances. Over time, more than 332 types of prehistoric artifacts have been discovered in these caves. Notably, the oldest finding is 45,500 years-old pig paintings in Leang Tedongnge. The intensive geostructural system, responsible for karstification and subaerial exposure, contributes to the formation of underground rivers, connecting various caves. Additionally, the karstic formations exhibit a cross-cutting relationship with Neogene volcanic rocks. Each island within this the Coral Reef Islands of Spermonde Archipelago possesses significant geological heritage, showcasing the interconnectedness of terrestrial and marine features within a single landscape. Extensive exposure of the modern carbonate platform highlights the formation of hundreds of patch reefs. These reefs are covered with sandy marine sediments that undergo morphology changes during monsoon seasons due to the geodynamic process of Indonesian Throughflow (ITF) ocean currents. These reef islands, representing a part of the global coral triangle, exemplify modern equatorial carbonates and contribute to the understanding of Sulawesi's paleogeography evolution.

Sustaining local communities

The geopark area is predominantly inhabited by the Bugis and Makassarese ethnic groups. The local communities' way of life is deeply influenced by ancestral customs, encompassing moral and social values towards both fellow humans and the natural environment. These customs are reflected in the regional characteristics, including language, arts, and daily life patterns. The ancient Bugis story called Lontarak manuscript, I La Galigo, narrates tales about Bissu and their history, representing the rich cultural heritage of Bugis civilization in South Sulawesi dating back to the 19th century.

The area is known for recognizing a unique gender system comprising five categories: men (bura'ne), women (makkunrai), feminine men with social roles like women (calabai), masculine women with social roles like men (calalai), and gender-neutral individuals balancing traits of both men and women (bissu). The Bissu community, exemplified by Sere 'Maggiri in Segeri-Pangkep, provides evidence of the ancient pre-Islamic Bugis civilization that existed hundreds of years ago. During the era of the kingdom, Bissu played significant roles in ceremonies such as the seven-day and seven-night ritual of descending the fields (Mappalili), accompanied by reciting an incantation called Mattedu Arajang. The Bissu's social functions include guarding, nursing, carrying arajang (ritual objects), serving as ritual leaders, sanro (shamans), and teachers for those preparing for marriage.