On January 8, 2025, the Department of History at Hasanuddin University (UNHAS) hosted a seminar on “The History of Things in Eurasia.” This seminar is part of a consortium research project involving multiple South Korean universities. The project, spanning Asia and Europe, represents a long-term, interdisciplinary exploration of cultural and historical dynamics, and UNHAS is proud to play an active role in this significant collaboration.
Earlier, in late 2024, a representative from UNHAS was invited to a seminar hosted by the HK+ Plus Team of Dongguk University in Seoul. This seminar, themed “Looking Through Civilization and Cultural History in Terms of Colors,” offered a fascinating glimpse into the cultural interpretations of colors across societies. During this event, a paper titled “Changing Colors in South Sulawesi: From Ritual to Class and Political Markers” was presented, examining how the Bugis, Makassar, and Toraja peoples of South Sulawesi have historically used colors in rituals, as markers of social class, and as tools for political expression, especially during post-colonial times.
At the seminar held at the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) UNHAS, distinguished academics from South Korea, including Prof. In-Beom SEO, Ph.D. (Team Leader, Dongguk University), Prof. Hyung-Jun KIM, Ph.D. (Kangwon National University), and Prof. Jongkuk NAM, Ph.D. (Ewha Womans University), delivered insightful contributions. Prof. SEO, as the project coordinator, praised UNHAS as a strategic partner in their research and expressed optimism about expanding this collaboration. The event attracted attendees from various faculties at UNHAS, including staff and students from the Departments of History and Law, as well as members of the internationalization task force team at FIB.
A major topic of discussion was Indonesia’s historical connection to global trade through the spice trade. Two UNHAS historians, Dr. Muslimin AR Effendy and Dr. Ida Liana Tanjung, served as keynote speakers. Dr. Muslimin presented a broader perspective on spices, emphasizing the intersections of colonialism, cultural exchanges, and the strategic role of rivers as trade routes. Meanwhile, Dr. Ida shed light on Makassar’s enduring importance as a port city during the Age of Commerce, highlighting its pivotal role in the regional and global spice trade.
The seminar was followed by a field visit to historical spice trade sites in North Maluku, including Ternate, where the Korean research team sought to document collective memories and historical narratives of the spice trade’s influence on the region. This journey reinforced the shared historical significance of the spice trade in connecting Indonesia with the world.
To solidify this partnership, an Implementation Arrangement (IA) was signed between UNHAS and its South Korean counterparts. The IA outlines collaborative research projects, academic material and personnel exchanges, and joint academic events such as seminars and workshops. Additionally, the South Korean institutions expressed their willingness to support the establishment of a Korean Studies Program at UNHAS, which could further strengthen cultural and academic ties.
This seminar and the subsequent agreements mark a promising start to 2025 for UNHAS, underscoring its growing role in global academic collaborations and its commitment to enriching historical research and cultural exchange.