Presence of alcoholic beverages can not be separated from the cultural context of a society. Most likely any particular cultural communities have a tradition of making or consuming liquor. For instance, French society is so thick with the tradition of the famous wine makers, or palm wine, types of alcoholic beverages found in various regions with different names. Sopii to the people of Maluku, Ballo ‘, which is familiar in South Sulawesi, or ciu, known in the vicinity of Central Java.

Liquor traditional Bugis Makassar form Tuak known Ballo consists of several kinds according to the type of palm tree, Nipa and Tala / Lontara. The type of tree grown in accordance with local conditions. Palm trees grow in the region close to the waters of rivers and mountains. Nipa tree mostly found in the region while the coastal beaches or Lontara Tala tree found many plain areas with dry soil type rocks.

Ballo Tuak production or the most popular among other Inru of palm trees where the intercepts of this palm tree is made of production for Red Sugar. The type of tree can be easily found almost every area north to the Toraja region. While the Tala tree, known as Lontara tree. The type of tree is more easily found throughout the territory of Gowa and southern regions.

In Tana Toraja, the traditional drink of this wine has become a standard meal, especially amid a big event. Ballo’menjadi one of the offerings that must exist in the traditional rituals of the Toraja. He also became a means of association. Ballo ‘, a beverage tapping the palm tree, or in the Toraja language is called’ parent ‘. In every execution of traditional rituals or customary party Toraja, Ballo ‘is always there, either as the completeness of the ceremony, as well as drinks for the guests. People living in these mountains have another point of view about Ballo ‘. Drinking Ballo ‘, just for heating the body in the cold when attacked. Ballo’-was believed to be able to add energy.

When the days of the Kingdom of Gowa familiar script, at that time have not found the right media to be a place incised script. It was only thought of utilizing palm leaf midrib to write the fatwas of the kingdom. The choice of palm leaves when it’s (14th century) because the paper was not known, while the tree was and still growing area of Lontar Gowa region. Script was originally written on tree trunk Katangka, stone and animal skins, it’s just the writing quality is not durable.

It was only palm leaves are considered effective and suitable to write this script. Aside from being a typical plant Gowa, Tree Lontar also be used as a symbol of masculinity for men. Papyrus Tree or Repudiation including multi-use plants. Almost all parts of the tree is useful for human life. For example, rods, poles can be used as a house or plow fields. While fiber is made hats or other webbing. The fruit can be eaten directly and ripe fruit can be used as snacks. Moreover fruit can be used as sugar, and from the fermentation of fruit drinks Tala then emerged the Makassar traditional wine which is also called “Ballo”. Ballo is used as a beverage that can maximize the energy to work and activities.

Beverage Fortification or Ballo has become a kind of complementary meals on certain conditions in the patterns of culture. besides the tree was grown along the peninsula many kingdoms of Gowa’s territory, it would certainly use the parts of the tree used as a useful Lontara livelihoods, Tala fruit was produced specifically to be Ballo. It is said in the days of yore, this traditional beverage used as a symbol of virility for the fighters. According to the fighters, after drinking Ballo, will arise in him courage and to face the opponent without thinking about the risks.