Buginese letter ka

ᨀ is the Lontara syllable ka, with an a built in.

This Buginese letter carries an a vowel by default: on its own, it reads ka rather than a bare k. A following vowel sign changes the vowel while keeping the k sound.

It is used in Bugis, Makasar, and Mandar writing. For example, adding the i sign gives the ki syllable, ᨀᨗ; the e sign may display to the left even though it follows ᨀ in text.

How did the Lontara script begin?

Lontara grew as a writing tradition over time.

Buginese is attested by the fourteenth century. “Lontara” is linked to the leaves of the lontar palm, which served as manuscript material. Early records include genealogies, or family-line histories. Later texts include chronicles, diaries, legal and religious writing, epic literature, contracts, and maps.

What will ᨀ mean if someone sends it alone?

A lone ᨀ is a script sample, not a complete message.

In a language lesson, manuscript caption, or heritage display, it identifies the ka syllable. In an uncaptioned chat, ask for the surrounding word or a Latin-letter spelling; alone, one letter cannot show the intended word or language.

By 2025, Latin script had largely displaced Lontara in everyday writing, while Lontara remained visible in schools, signs, ceremonies, personal documents, and heritage work.