Lontara or lontaraq (ᨒᨚᨈᨑ) are Bugis-Makassar palm-leaf manuscripts that record knowledge on such topics as history, science, custom, and laws.[1] The term originates from the Javanese/Malay word lontar, which is the name of the palm tree Borassus flabellifer that provides the leaves used.
The types of lontara includes[2]
- attoriolong (bug) patturioloang (mak) – history
- bilang or kotika (bug-mak) – characteristics of each days of the week
- adeʼ (bug) or adaʼ (mak) – adat
- ulu ada (bug) or ulu kana (mak) – past treaties or texts between kingdoms or countries
- alopi-lopping (bug) – shipping adat
- pangoriseng (bug) or pannossorang (mak) – genealogies of the royals.