Page:The People of India — a series of photographic illustrations, with descriptive letterpress, of the races and tribes of Hindustan Vol 8.djvu/230

 BUGIS. (460)

HE Bugis inhabit a large portion of the island of Celebes, of which they are one of the principal tribes, and have a distinct language of their own. They have also considerable settlements in the island of Borneo. They were converted to Islamism about the year 1495, and continue to profess that faith. They possess a considerable degree of material civilization. The group represented are emigrants from Celebes, who come to Singapoor in large numbers, and are employed as labourers, porters, and also take service in the local police. They are an industrious, sober race, and esteemed trustworthy. They rarely eat animal food, but are fond of fish, which they eat with rice, and vegetables. Three Bugis women sit in front of the men, but they rarely accompany the men in their temporary emigrations. The Bugis are not of the Eastern or Papuan Negro race, but are among the Indianized tribe, which have long straight hair, with a moderate facial angle. They form a considerable portion of the population of Celebes.