Bugis

An Austronesian-speaking group of traders, craftsmen, and rice cultivators, living in Sulawesi, Borneo, and the Philippines. They were the first Malayans to convert to Buddhism and Hinduism. In the 17th century they converted to Islam.

Led by a rajah and princes, and with a rich literature, the Bugis were a prosperous maritime people who controlled the inter-island trade, especially for spices. When the Dutch and the East India Company arrived in the area, the Bugis migrated out of reach and created a Bugis state in Selangor 1710, and in Riau 1722, but were beaten by the Dutch in the late-18th century. They were then dominated by the Malay states.

The Bugis are related to the Makassarese.