SANGI or SANGIR ISLANDS, a group of islands off the north-east coast of Celebes, Dutch East Indies. They continue the north-eastern extension of Celebes towards Mindanao, in the Philippines, and are set upon a long, narrow ridge, along a volcanic band, with very deep water on either side. Although fringed with recent coral formation, they are distinctly volcanic, with active volcanoes, Mount Awu, on Sangi island, having experienced severe recent eruptions, whilst earthquakes also have occurred. Sangi, Siau and Tagulanda are the chief islands and Talisse and Banka (the larger and better-known Banka lies off the east coast of Sumatra) are situated between Tagulanda and the mainland of Celebes. Banka gives its name to Banka passage, the channel by which entry is obtained from Celebes sea to the Molucca passage. Sangi is 27 m. long, and from 9 to 17 in width, is mountainous in the north, elevation decreasing considerably in the south, and has a coast which is generally steep. It has an average rainfall of 195 in., and, with Siau, has an exceptionally fertile volcanic soil with extensive cultivation of nutmegs, coconuts and Manila hemp. Taruna, on the west coast, is the capital, where a controleur resides who is in charge of all of the islands. It, and Peta, on the east coast, are ports visited regularly by vessels of the Royal Packet Navigation company, also Hulu, the capital and port of Siau, and Tagulandang, and Talisse, on the islands of that name. Tagulan dang has two mountains of 2,500 ft., sloping from east to west, and Ruang, a small island west of Tagulandang, has an active volcano. The population of the islands, which is mostly on Sangi and Siau, is 134,930, including 65 Europeans and Eurasians, and 2,695 foreign Asiatics, and is a very large one in comparison with their size. The people of Sangi and Siau are closely related to the
people of Minahasa and of portions of the Philippine islands, with fair complexion, high nose, and stiff, short black hair. Formerly terrorized by the dreaded pirates of Sulu (islands off the S.E. coast of Mindanao, in the Philippines), of recent years, under di rect Dutch rule, the Sangi and Siau islanders have progressed won derfully, under the peaceful regime of Dutch rule, like their near relatives the Minahasese, and like these also, they have become mostly Christians. Society is based on the matriarchal system, and the people, who speak a language of their own, live by agriculture and fishing and trading in wood, copra and nutmegs. The very fine and white Manila hemp they grow is practically only for domestic consumption, and its weaving is the most important industry. The Talaud, or Talaut, islands, consist of a group lying north-east of Sangi, the chief of which is Karakelang, 39 m. long and 15 wide, in the north. Heights of 2,300 ft. are said to exist in the southern part. The coast is steep, except on the south shore, which is fringed by a wide reef. Some tiny islands known as the Nanusa islands lie north-east of Karakelang, and to these, and to Beo, the capital of Karakelang, and of the group, where a gezag hebber resides, also to Lirung, the port and capital of a long island lying close to and south-east of Karakelang, vessels of the Royal Packet Navigation company run regularly. The Sangi and Talaud islands were incorporated under the direct rule of the Dutch governor of Ternate as far back as 1677. Now they are attached to the residency of Menado. (E. E. L.)