Pakanbaru > Pekenbaru Riau Indonesia

The Buginese, also called Bugis, had originated in the vicinity of Makasar, the southwest limb of Celebes, where they are well-known for their adventurism and maritime skill.

The Buginese had been among the early Malay converts to Buddhism who had accepted many Indian customs, including a hierarchical society, ranging from the raja at the top through district officers and princes to village heads.

Along with these Indian influences had come an Indian form of writing in which a rich literature had been recorded.

The Makasarese and Buginese had early in the seventeenth century been converted to Islam.

The Buginese had levied nominal customs duties in Makasar, which had made the city a prosperous trading port.

Makasar, however, had by 1667, fallen to the Dutch East India Company, and the Buginese had begun to emigrate from Celebes to places in the Malay Archipelago not yet reached by the Western powers.

Skilled and astute fighting men, they had soon been drawn into Malay political struggles.

They had established settlements during the seventeenth century on the Klang and Selangor rivers.

They had by 1710 created a Buginese state in Selango, and by 1722 they have established themselves in Riau.