Generalizations and stereotypes invite debate. The South Sulawesi debate revolves around several topics: the reliability of colonial reports vis-a-vis indigenous texts; the homogeneity of the area; status and power; leadership and patron-client relationships; foreign influence on local culture; sea-faring and international commerce; regional culture as impacted by socio-economic development; the diaspora. These topics are to a large extent interrelated. They all involve transactions, traditions and texts -- or authority and enterprise -- and are discussed extensively in this book.