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Sulawesi
Background to the Conflict
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The lowlands of Central Sulawesi have historically been dominated by the Pamona peoples, feared for their reputation as head-hunters. Over the course of the past century, however, the Pamona image has changed significantly as a majority of Pamonas have converted to Christianity. This shift is largely the result of Dutch control which began in 1892 and was accompanied by a large number of Christian missionaries.
Once the Dutch had opened this previously isolated area, Muslim migrants from elsewhere in Sulawesi arrived, particularly fishermen who settled along the coast. After independence, this trend continued as the government furthered its transmigration policies by sending Javanese Muslims, among others, into Central Sulawesi. By most accounts, the 20th century did not witness much inter-religious conflict between Christians and Muslims in Sulawesi. Despite the general calm, however, some Christians have expressed the feeling that their ancestral homelands have been usurped.
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