TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The five-hour, heart-thumping trip on a jolloro boat rocked by the sea waves was finally over when we harbored at Jinato Island, Taka Bonerate, Selayar Regency. We departed from Pattumbukang Harbor when the morning sun was smiling.
Jinato Island is fairly shady with coconut, pine and ketapang trees. The island is 1.7-kilometer long and 800-meter wide. Residents' houses, of elevated types or made of stones, are tidily arranged only a walkway-away from each other.
A number of motor boats are parked on the eastern part on the island where a group of people often gather to process their catch of the day. Most people on the island live as fishermen. Therefore, people walking in soaked clothes with giant fish in their hands are common view in the island.
The hospitality of Jinato Island had greeted us even before our boat anchored to the jetty. The locals who fetched us greeted and take us on a motorcycle ride to the guesthouse. They also served us a welcome meals which, of course, consisted of seafood. Vegetables are hardly found in this island, but hydrophonic farming is being developed starting from this year.
Taka Bonerate is well-known for its underwater wonder.There are at least 26 diving spots including Wall Reef in Latondu, Jinato Wall paradise (JWP) in Jinato waters, and Pasitallu Raja in West Pasitallu. Ironically, the coral reefs in Taka Bonerate are partly damaged.
Taka Bonerate consists of nine villages, three of which located on Kayuadi land and six others are located on the islands including Jinato. There are total of 21 islands but only seven are inhabited by human.
Among the inhabited islands, Larger Latondu is the largest island having size of 125 hectares. However, Jinato is the most populous island with 1,260 people living the island. According to the Jinato Village Head, Abdullah, local residents are mostly from Bugis and the rests are from Selayar. Therefore, daily language used in the island is Bugis language.
The west coast of Jinato is walled with concrete and it becomes a cool spot for people to relax and enjoy the sunset. When taking a stroll in an afternoon, I found that gemstone fever is also hitting men in Jinato.
Despite of its remote location, the island is catching up with technology. High school students, for example, are already having their own smart phones. However, internet is not accessible from the island due to poor network coverage.
Electricity is only available from jointly-used generators that are only turned on starting from 18:00 to 24:00 local time. There is only one elementary school and one junior highschool for sevearl islands. Students have to go to the other island called Jampea in Selayar to continue to the senior high school. However, a source says that students’ interest to continue their education to the higher levels are increasing.
The limited facility has shaped up modesty in the life of Jinato residents.
REZKI ALVIONITASARI
