Diplomasi, Aliansi dan Asimilasi; Diaspora Bugis Semenanjung Melayu Abad Ke-18 – Abad Ke-20

Kajian ini berikhtiar menguraikan bagaimana diaspora orang-orang Bugis mencapai tahap penting dalam peta pelayaran-perdagangan di Nusantara dan Melayu pada abad ke-18 hingga abad ke-20, dengan menggunakan metode penelitian sejarah, yakni heuristik, kritik, interpretasi, dan historiografi. Hasil kajian menunjukkan dengan kekuatan bahasa, jaringan perdagangan tradisional, serta ikatan kultural, mengantarkan diaspora Bugis ke berbagai penjuru nusantara. Dengan strategi diplomasi, membangun aliansi dan mendorong asimilasi di tanah rantau, orang-orang Bugis ikut berperan penting dalam perputaran roda perdagangan di Nusantara, hingga mencapai puncak kejayaannya di semenanjung Melayu.Kata Kunci : diaspora Bugis; perdagangan; semenanjung Melayu AbstractThis study attempts to describe how the Bugis diaspora reached an important stage in the shipping-trade map of the Archipelago and Malays in the 18th to 20th centuries, using historical research methods, namely heuristics, criticism, interpretation, and historiography. The results of the study show that the power of language, traditional trade networks, and cultural ties have brought the Bugis diaspora to various parts of the archipelago. With a diplomatic strategy, building alliances and encouraging assimilation in overseas lands, the Bugis people played an important role in the rotation of the trade wheel in the archipelago, until it reached its peak of glory on the Malay peninsula.Keywords : Bugis diaspora; trading; Malay peninsula