Jakarta, ABIM (26/6/2023) – In Tempe District, Wajo Regency, South Sulawesi Province, the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) has begun organizing the Atakkae Traditional House Tourism Area. This attempts to return one of the biggest Atakkae Traditional Houses, known as Sao Raja La Tenri Bali, to its intended functionality as a tourism icon representing the glory of the Wajo Kingdom when it was first finished in 1995.
The layout of the area, according to PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, is expected to be able to draw tourists to Wajo Regency, boosting the local economy.
The South Sulawesi Regional Settlement Infrastructure Center (BPPW), Directorate General of Human Settlement, Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing, has commenced construction work on the tourist area, with a state budget of IDR 5.8 billion for 2023. The scope of work comprises the rejuvenation of traditional houses, the creation of supporting facilities, and the layout of the landscape. The Atakkae Traditional House area covers 1,107 hectares and has a total building space of 1,616 m2 made up of multiple traditional houses from various sub-districts in Wajo Regency.
Atakkae itself is the designation for traditional houses in Sengkang. This traditional house has a stilt house design like most traditional Bugis houses. Among all the traditional houses in the area, there is the largest house which is the main traditional house that reads “Saoraja La Tenri Bali” which means the King’s Palace, has a total of 101 pillars supporting a round shape which is one of the uniqueness of the traditional house. La Tenri Bali is a king or by the people of Sengkang called Arung Matoa who once ruled the Kingdom of Wajo.
The Atakkae Traditional House Tourism Area is approximately 190 kilometers from the center of Makassar City, the capital city of South Sulawesi Province, and takes approximately 5 hours to reach by automobile. It is hoped that because it is located right on the shores of Lampulung lake, this will become an additional attraction for tourists, as well as improve the quality of destinations, infrastructure, and tourist facilities, making them more comfortable, which will ultimately have a positive impact on the local economy, particularly in Wajo Regency.(ABIM)
