 |
| |
| Bajau 154.000 Islam |
| 5,000 or more in North Maluku (Grimes 1982), 8,000 to
10,000 in South Sulawesi (Grimes 1987), 7,000 in North
Sulawesi and Gorontalo, 36,000 in Central Sulawesi, 40,000
in Southeast Sulawesi (Mead and Lee 2007), and several
thousand in Nusa Tenggara (Wurm and Hattori 1981, Verhiejen
1986). North Maluku on Bacan, Obi, Kayoa and Sula Islands;
South Sulawesi, Selayar, Bone, and Sinjai districts;
Gorontalo Province, Popayato and Tilamuta subdistricts;
North Sulawesi, Wori, Tumpaan and Belang subdistricts.
Widespread throughout Central and Southeast Sulawesi and
islands of the East Sunda Sea. Alternate names: Badjaw,
Badjo, Bajao, Bajo, Bayo, Gaj, Luaan, Lutaos, Lutayaos,
Orang Laut, Sama, Turije’ne’. Dialects: Jampea, Same’,
Matalaang, Sulamu, Kajoa, Roti, Jaya Bakti, Poso, Togian 1,
Togian 2, Wallace. |
The Baja u (also called the Bayo, Gaj, Luaan, or Lutaos)
are a highly mobile maritime people group that is found
throughout the coastal areas of Sulawesi, Maluku,
Kalimantan, Sumatera, and East Nusa Tenggara. Their high
mobility led to outsiders calling them 'sea gypsies.' In
eastern Indonesia, the largest numbers of Bajau are found on
the islands and in the coastal districts of Sulawesi. Their
everyday language is the Bajau language, which is a branch
of the Melayu (Malay) language cluster.
While some Bajau have begun to live on land, many Bajau are
still boat dwellers. Among the Bajau boat dwellers, local
communities consist of scattered moorage groups made up of
families whose members regularly return, between intervals
of fishing, to a common anchorage site. Two to six families
will group together in an alliance to regularly fish and
anchor together, often sharing food and pooling labor, nets,
and other gear. The boats that are used as family dwellings
vary in size and construction. In Indonesia and Malaysia,
boats average 10 meters in length with a beam of about 2
meters. They are plank constructed with solid keel and bow
sections. All are equipped with a roofed living area made of
poles and kajang matting and a portable earthenware hearth,
usually carried near the stern, used for preparing family
meals. The marine life exploited by the Bajau fishermen is
diverse, including over 200 species of fish. Fishing
activity varies with the tides, monsoonal and local winds,
currents, migrations of pelagic fish, and the monthly lunar
cycle. During moonless nights, fishing is often done with
lanterns, using spears and handlines. Today, fishing is
primarily for market sale. Most fish are preserved by
salting or drying. The boat-dwelling Bajau see themselves
(in contrast to their neighbors), as non-aggressive people
who prefer flight to physical confrontation. As a
consequence, the politically dominant groups of the region
have historically viewed the Bajau with disdain as timid,
unreliable subjects.
The Bajau are Sunni Muslims of the Shafi'i school. |
| Bugis 3.500.000 Islam |
| Western coast of southeast Sulawesi in Kolaka, Wundulako,
Rumbia, and Poleang districts. Also in major towns of
Sulawesi. Large enclaves also in other provinces of
Sulawesi, Kalimantan, Maluku, Papua, and Sumatra; coastal
swamp areas such as Bulukumba, Luwu, Polewali in Polmas,
Pasangkayu in Mamuju districts. Also in Malaysia (Sabah).
Alternate names: Boegineesche, Boeginezen, Bugi, Buginese,
De’, Rappang Buginese, Ugi. Dialects: Bone (Palakka, Dua
Boccoe, Mare), Pangkep (Pangkajene), Camba, Sidrap (Sidenrang,
Pinrang Utara, Alitta), Pasangkayu (Ugi Riawa), Sinjai (Enna,
Palattae, Bulukumba), Soppeng (Kessi), Wajo, Barru
(Pare-Pare, Nepo, Soppeng Riaja, Tompo, Tanete), Sawitto (Pinrang),
Luwu (Luwu’, Bua Ponrang, Wara, Malangke-Ussu). Bone or
Soppeng dialects are central. |
| The Bugis (sometimes called the Ugi) live in the
province of South Sulawesi. The Bugis region is called
Tellumponcoe, and it consists of the regencies of Bone, Wajo,
and Soppeng. There are also Bugis people settled throughout
the regencies of Luwu, Sidenneng, Polmas, Pinrang,
Pare-pare, Barru, Pangkajene, Maros, Bulukumba, and Sinjai.
The Bugis are a dynamic and highly mobile people, considered
by many to be the dominant people group in South Sulawesi.
Many Bugis have left their home area to seek success and
wealth. In particular, they have migrated to Sumbawa, Jawa,
Papua, and even Malaysia. Their Ugi language is divided into
several dialects, namely Luwu, Wajo, Bira Selayar, Palaka,
Sindenneng and Sawito.
Most Bugis make their living by hunting, fishing,
farming, raising livestock or making handicrafts. Typically,
the Bugis who live in the mountain ranges gain their
livelihood by working the soil, while those living in the
coastal areas generally work as fishermen. The Bugis
traditional dress is called Wajo Ponco, which is believed to
have originated from Melayu (Malay) dress. Currently, the
dress is only used for traditional ceremonies and dances.
The Bugis believe very strongly that certain days are good
days, with good fortune for events and activities held on
the first Wednesday and last Thursday of each month.
Conversely, they consider Saturday to be a bad day, with
misfortune more likely to happen on this day. In Bugis
tradition there are different levels of social status that
are based upon one's ancestors. These different levels
include descendants of a king, descendants of nobles (La
Patau), descendants of district administrators (Aru Lili)
and descendants of various kinds of slaves. Two of the most
important cultural values for the Bugis people are called
siri (personal honor) and siri-pesse (communal honor). A
Bugis person must defend, maintain, and build one's own siri.
The effort to obtain and maintain siri varies according to
the context. For instance, in an economic context, siri
means working hard and being faithful. In a personal
context, if a person's siri is offended serious forms of
revenge will be considered. Islam reinforced the traditional
Bugis concept of siri in such a way that today the typical
Bugis person sees siri as the key to his or her
self-identity as a Bugis Muslim. The Bugis line of descent
is bilateral (traced through both parents). After marriage
the newlyweds may choose to live near either the husband's
or wife's family, although initially, they live at least
briefly near the wife's family.
The Bugis people are famous for their fervent adherence to
Sunni Islam. |
|
| Bunku 24.000 Islam |
| 100 Routa, 16,400 Bungku, 2,500 Torete, 1,000 Tulambatu,
800 Landawe, 650 Waia. Central Sulawesi, Bungku Utara,
Bungku Tengah, and Bungku Selatan subdistricts, along east
coast; 45 villages or parts of villages. Tulambatu in
northern Southeast Sulawesi, Konawe District, Asera, Soropia,
and Lasolo subdistricts, with difficult access. Alternate
names: “Nahina”. Dialects: Bungku, Routa, Tulambatu, Torete
(To Rete), Landawe, Waia. Lexical similarity: 81% with
Torete, Waia, Tulambatu, and Landawe dialects, 38% with
Pamona dialects [pmf], 88%, with Landawe dialect, 84% with
Waia dialect, 82% with Torete dialect, 74% with Wawonii
[wow], 66% with Taloki [tlk], Kulisusu [vkl], and Koroni [xkq],
65% with Moronene [mqn], 54% with the Mori and Tolaki
groups, 82% with the Routa dialect. |
The Bungku people (also called "To Bungku") live in the
districts of North Bungku, Central Bungku, South Bungku, and
Merui, in the Poso Regency of Central Sulawesi Province.
They are also found in several other areas of Sulawesi. The
Bungku people are further divided into subgroups such as
Lambatu, Epe, Rete, and Ro'Uta. The language used by the
Bungku people is Bungku (often called Bungku Laki, or Male
Bungku), which is of the same group with various Filipino
languages. This language can be divided into several
dialects, such as Taa, Merui and Lalaeo. The immigrant
communities in this area use their own language, such as the
Bugis, Bajo and Jawa languages. Many marriages take place
between the Bungku people and the immigrant peoples, hence
the relationship between the groups is relatively good in
this region. In the past, Bungku people lived in remote
inland areas and had little contact with outsiders. With the
building of the Trans-Sulawesi highway, they have become
more open to outsiders. Although they are inhabitants of
Southeast Sulawesi, their culture is greatly influenced by
the Bugis culture. According to history, some of the Bungku
ancestors were a group of Bugis who migrated to the area.
The Bungku make their living as farmers. They grow rice,
corn and sweet potatoes as their primary crops, and coconuts
and sago palms as secondary crops. The Bungku also harvest
resin and rattan that grow in the thick jungles that still
exist in their area. Their land is typically less fertile
than other areas of Southeast Sulawesi. Formerly, Bungku
communities were segregated into three classes. The heads of
the village formed the elite group. The common people formed
the middle group. The slaves were the final and lowest
group.
The majority of the Bungku people have embraced Islam. |
|
| Busoa 2.600 Islam |
| Southeast Sulawesi, southwest coast of Buton island,
Batauga subdistrict, Busoa and Laompo villages. Alternate
names: Bosoa. Dialects: Lexical similarity: 84% with
Kambe-Kambero (probably a dialect of Kaimbulawa [zka]),
70%–79% with Muna dialects, 71% with Muna [mnb], 76% with
Lantoi [zka]. |
| Cia-Cia 83.000 Islam |
| The Cia-Cia, more commonly known as the South Butonese,
are located on the southern tip of Buton Island, to the
southeast of Sulawesi. They are close neighbors to the Wolio
(also known as the Butonese) and to the Muna. Their
language, Cia-Cia, is a member of the Austronesian language
family and is closely related to Wolio.
The Butonese, or Wolio, live in the area which was
formerly known as the sultanate of Buton. Around the
fifteenth century, immigrants from Johore established the
kingdom of Buton, with a king, or raja, as the ruler. The
sixth raja converted to Islam in 1540, making him the first
sultan and his kingdom, a sultanate.
The sultanate of Buton remained independent until the
death of the last sultan in 1960. At that time, the
sultanate was dissolved and finally integrated with the
nation of Indonesia. This union, however, resulted in a loss
of tradition for the Butonese.
The Cia-Cia base much of their livelihood on agriculture,
since the soil of the islands is very fertile. The main
crops grown are corn, dry rice, and cassava. Many Cia-Cia
are also fishermen or boat builders. However, since economic
opportunities are lacking, many sail to faraway islands to
earn money in commercial enterprise or labor. Some of these
never return. Today, people of Butonese origin live
throughout eastern Indonesia.
Seafaring is considered men's work, along with
ironworking, boat building, brass and silver manufacturing,
and most of cultivating the fields. Pottery, weaving, the
preparation of meals, domestic work, and the management of
the family's money are the women's primary responsibilities.
Cia-Cia houses are raised above ground and built of
sturdy planks. The roofs are made of small planks, palm
leaves, or iron, and the houses have only a few windows.
Most villages have markets where woven silk, cotton, and
other fabrics are traded. Many villages also have small
stores and peddlers selling various items from their carts.
Today, most Cia-Cia marriages are monogamous (having one
spouse). Although parents are involved in the arrangement of
the marriages, the young people are free to choose their
partners. After marriage, the couple lives with the bride's
family until the husband can build his own house. Infants
are reared by both father and mother alike.
Education is highly valued for both boys and girls in
Butonese society. This emphasis on education has caused
their literary art to flourish, resulting in the writing of
books and long poems which have become a part of Butonese
culture. Foreign language study is also encouraged, and many
Butonese are improving their positions in society.
Islam was first accepted by the Butonese nobility. They
shared their religious knowledge with the commoners, but
they did so in a limited way, keeping the villagers
dependent upon them. Today, 95% of the Cia-Cia are Muslim,
but the belief in various supernatural beings plays a role
in village life. Such beings include guardian spirits,
harvest spirits, evil spirits who cause illness, and helpful
spirits who give guidance. Ancestral spirits are thought to
help their living relatives or cause illnesses, depending on
the behavior of the relatives. The Cia-Cia also consider
nature to be the material form of God's creation and,
therefore, glorify it. |
| Kamaru 3.700 Islam |
| Southeast Sulawesi, southeast Buton Island. Dialects:
Lexical similarity: 68% with Lasalimu [llm], 67% with Wolio
[wlo], 54% with Cia-Cia [cia], 51% with Pancana [pnp], 49%
with Tukang Besi [khc], 45% with Muna [mnb] |
| Kioko 1.200 Islam |
| Southeast Sulawesi, Kulisusu subdistrict, Buton Island.
Dialects: Kioko, Kambowa. Possibly dialect of the Pancana [pnp]
language. Lexical similarity: 82% with Kambowa dialect, 81%
with Laompo dialect of Muna [mnb], 74% with Muna, 75% with
Liabuku [lix] and Busoa [bup]. |
| Kodeoha 1.900 Islam |
| Southeast Sulawesi, North Kolaka District, Lasusua
subdistrict, Kolaka west coast. 4 villages. Alternate names:
Kondeha. Dialects: Lexical similarity: 75% with Rahambuu [raz];
70% with Tolaki [lbw], Mekongga, and Waru [wru]; 54% with
the several Mori and Bungku [bkz] groups. |
| Kulisusu 26.000 Islam |
| Southeast Sulawesi, Kulisusu and Bonegunu subdistricts,
northeast corner of Buton Island. Alternate names: Kalisusu,
Kolensusu, Kolinsusu. Dialects: Lexical similarity: 81%
between dialects, 77% with Taloki [lbw], 75% with Koroni [xkq],
66% with Wawonii [wow] and Bungku [bkz] group, 65% with
Moronene [mqn], 54% with the Mori languages and Tolaki. |
The Kulisusu of Indonesia are located in northeastern
Buton Island, which is to the southeast of Sulawesi. Of the
estimated 25,000 Kulisusu speakers, a majority live on the
narrow hilly peninsula which juts southward separating the
Koro Bay on the west from the Banda Sea on the east, an area
approximately 5 km in breadth and 20 km in length. Pressures
created by an expanding population are currently being eased
by the availability of new land, (virgin forest) both north
along the coast, as well as in the mountains and foothills
surrounding the Koro Bay. This land is also valued by the
national government as a site for locating transmigrants
from the more populous islands of Indonesia.Although little
has been written about the Kulisusu, we do know they have
been settled in their present location for at least the past
400 years. While they have apparently always been a small
people group, they enjoyed a period of independence in the
early 17thcentury until their capital town was sacked by
forces from Ternate (in Maluku Islands). It was probably
then, or shortly after, that Islam was introduced.
Thereafter, because of the continuing threat from Ternate,
the Kulisusu found it best to ally themselves as a vassal
state under the neighboring Wolio people, whose sultans
ruled from the southern part of Buton island.
Most Kulisusu families have their own farmlands and work
together in cultivating the lands. They primarily cultivate
cassava, corn, and rice, along with assorted vegetables and
fruits. In addition to personal consumption, produce is also
sold in the markets, and the Kulisusu are known for having
low prices. Some Kulisusu are also traders who travel to
many other islands in and around Indonesia or work on
merchant ships. Kulisusu who have become governmental
employees are respected because of their prestige, high
salary, and the opportunities they get to improve their
lives. Those who work in fields other than farming are
generally better off and more successful. Because of the
strong extended families of the Kulisusu, each adult who is
working will share at least a part of his or her salary with
the larger family. Honesty and hard work are valued. The
level of crime is extremely low.
Kulisusu people are followers of Islam. |
| Lasalimu 1.900 Islam |
| Southeast Sulawesi, Southeast Buton Island, Lasalimu
subdistrict. Dialects: Lexical similarity: 68% with Kamaru [kgx],
64% with Cia-Cia [cia], 57% with Tukang Besi, 51% with
Pancana [pnp], 50% with Wolio [wlo] and Muna [mnb]. |
| Liabuku 1.200 Islam |
| Southeast Sulawesi, Bungi subdistrict, south Buton
Island, part of Liabuku village north of Bau-Bau. Dialects:
Quite divergent from other Muna varieties. Lexical
similarity: 82% with the Burukene dialect of Muna [mnb],
72%–76% with other Muna dialects, 72% with Muna, 75% with
Kioko [ues]. |
| Moronene 41.000 Islam |
| 5% are monolingual. 23,000 in Moronene, 14,000 in
Tokotu’a. Includes about 3,500 now living in cities. Second
or third generations in cities no longer speak Moronene.
Southeast Sulawesi, Bombana District. Tokotu’a on Kabaena
Island; Wita Ea on the mainland portion of Bombana District
opposite Kabaena, with Rumbia subdialect in Rumbia
subdistrict, and Poleang subdialect in Poleang, Poleang
Timur, and Watubangga subdistrict of Kolaka District.
Alternate names: Maronene, “Nahina”. Dialects: Wita Ea (Rumbia,
Poleang), Tokotu’a (Kabaena). Lexical similarity: 80 % of
Wita Ea dialect 80% with Tokotu’a dialect; 68% with Menui
dialect of Wawonii [wow], 66% with Kulisusu [vkl], 65% with
Taloki [tlk], Koroni [xkq], Tulambatu dialect of Bungku [bkz],
64% with Bungku [bkz], and 57% with Tolaki [lbw]. |
| Sulawesi is an island with a coastline of about 3,500
miles. It consists mainly of four peninsulas separated by
deep gulfs, with two of the peninsulas extending southward
and two, northeastward. On the southern part of the island
is one of Sulawesi's highest points, Mount Lompobatang, an
extinct volcano reaching a height of 9,419 feet. Although
the climate of the area is tropical, it is somewhat modified
by elevation and the closeness of the sea.
For the Maronene, maize grown in swiddens (land cleared
by the "slash and burn" method of farming) is the staple
crop, but sweet potatoes, sugarcane, vegetables, tobacco,
and coffee are also grown. Scattered among the clearings are
their homes, which are usually built on stilts. They are
generally made of woven grasses and have very high roofs.
Distinct social classes are still quite pronounced for
most of the people groups in Sulawesi, with a higher noble
class, a lower noble class, and a class of commoners. Each
class usually has its own code of behavior, along with
various customs and traditions. A region is typically
divided into village territories, and rights to land use are
administered by the village council. However, the council
retains ultimate ownership of all the land.
Maronene marriage customs require payments to the girl's
family at the time of engagement and again at the wedding.
The amount of the bride-price depends on the social rank of
the young man. Prior to marriage, the groom is required to
serve a probationary period with his prospective
parents-in-law. To avoid this requirement, many young
couples choose to elope. In the past, slaves and their
descendants were not permitted to marry each other, though
they could live together. Also, noble women did not marry
commoners. Polygyny (having more than one wife) was common
among some of the aristocracy, but is rarely found today.
Presently, Indonesia has more than eight million farmers
who do not own land. To those willing to move from
overcrowded areas to less developed islands, the government
offers free land, housing, and other assistance.
Islam is the dominant religion in Indonesia today and is
practiced by a majority of the population. |
| Muna 298.000 Islam |
| Off southwest Sulawesi, Muna Island, northwest coast of
Buton Island; Central Maluku, Ambon. Dialects: Standard Muna
(Northern Muna), Tiworo (Eastern Muna), Gu, Lakudo,
Mawasangka, Kadatua, Siompu, Katobengke, Burukene, Laompo,
Kapontori. Subvarieties of Standard Muna are: Tungkuno,
Kabawo, Lawa, Katobu, Tobea Besar; of Gulamas are: Gu,
Mawasangka, Lakudo, Wale-Ale, Lawama, Kadatua, Lowu-Lowu,
Kalia-Lia, Katobengke, Topa, Salaa, Lawela, Laompo, Burukene.
Lexical similarity: 71% with Pancana [pnp], 62% with Cia-Cia
[cia], 52% with Wolio [wlo], 50% with Lasalimu [llm], 47%
with Tukang Besi [khc] or [bhq], 45% with Kamaru [kgx]. |
The Muna people (also called Mendo-Wuna) live in
Southeast Sulawesi Province on the larger islands of Muna
and Buton, and the smaller islands of Kadatua, Siompu,
Bangkomalape, and Tiworo. Muna Island is separated from
Buton Island by a strait stretching from north to south.
According to tradition, the word muna, was taken from the
name of a hill with a "flowering rock". Today, this place,
Bahutara, has become a tourist attraction. Meanwhile, the
word wuna means flower in the Muna language.The Muna people
are grouped into several sub-groups such as Ghoera, Siompu,
Kaobengke, Lakudo, and Kadatua. Each group speaks the Muna
language with a different dialect. The Muna dialect is used
in the north, the Gumas dialect is used in the south, and
the Tiworo dialect is used in the east. Muna language
recognizes social levels, depending upon which person is
being addressed. Muna language is similar to Buton language.
The Muna people make their living as farmers, with their
primary crops being corn and rice. Other crops include sweet
potatoes, sugar cane, and various kinds of spices. Part of
their commerce comes from marketing the products of the
jungle such as wood and rattan. The pokadulu custom (mutual
assistance) influences various activities in the Muna
community, as groups of people will gather to do large
projects such as clearing, planting and harvesting
fields.The Muna people usually live in the interior of the
islands, rather than in the coastal regions. They live
together in kinship groups, which are called Tombu. These
groups form communities in the larger settlement. The
locations of these communities are far apart, and contact is
limited due to many natural barriers such as valleys,
mountains and rivers. The lineage of descent of the Muna is
patrilineal (tracing descent from the father). In Muna
marriages, the groom pays a bride price to her family. This
price is determined by the groom's social status in the
community; the higher his status, the higher the price.
Before the marriage, the future husband must undergo a trial
period by his future in-laws. However, this requirement is
the main cause of many elopements.In the past, servants were
not permitted to marry each other, but were permitted to
live together. Women of the noble class also were not
permitted to marry men from other social classes. Polygamy
became popular among the nobility, but is rarely practiced
anymore.
The majority of Muna people follow Sunni Islam. |
| Rahambuu 6.200 Islam |
| Southeast Sulawesi, North Kolaka District, Pakue
subdistrict, west coast north of the Kodeoha. Alternate
names: Wiau, Wiaoe, “Noihe”. Dialects: Lexical similarity:
87% between dialects, 75% with Kodeoha [vko], 70% with
Tolaki [lbw], Mekongga dialect of Tolaki [lbw], and Waru [wru];
54% with Mori [mzq] or [xmz] and Bungku [bkz] groups. |
| Taloki 600 Islam |
| Southeast Sulawesi, northwest coast Buton Island,
Wakorumba subdistrict, Maligano village; possibly south
Buton Island, Kapontori subdistrict, Wakalambe village.
Alternate names: Taluki. Dialects: Lexical similarity: 77%
with Kulisusu [vkl]; 75% with Koroni [xkq]; 66% with Wawonii
[wow], Bungku [bkz], Tulambatu dialect of Bungku [bkz]; 65%
with Moronene [mqn]. |
| Tolaki 800 Islam |
| 650 Asera, fewer than 100 Wiwirano, 200 Laiwui.
Southeast Sulawesi, Konawe, South Konawe, Kolaka and North
Kolaka districts. Mekongga in Mekongga Mountains, near west
edge Soroako. Alternate names: Tololaki, To’olaki, Lolaki,
Laki, Tokia. Dialects: Wiwirano (“Nohina” ), Asera (Asera
Wanua, “Noie” ), Konawe (Kendari, “Tambuoki” , “Kioki” ),
Mekongga (Kolaka, Bingkokak, “Norio” , “Tamboki” , “Konio”
), Laiwui. Lexical similarity: 88% between Wiwirano and
Asera dialects, 84% with Konawe, 85% with Mekongga, 81% with
Laiwui, 78% with Waru, 70% with Rahambuu and Kodeoha, 54%
with the Mori and Bungku groups. Mekongga has 86% with
Konawe, 80% with Laiwui. |
| Tomadino 800 Islam |
| Central Sulawesi, Bungku Tengah subdistrict, Sakita
village on east coast, outskirts of Bungku town. Dialects:
Lexical similarity: 71% with Bahonsuai [bsu], 68% with Mori
Atas [mzq], Mori Bawah [xmz], and Padoe [pdo]. |
| Tukang Besi North 130.000 Islam |
The Tukangbesi Utara (North Tukangbesi) people can be
found in the northernmost two islands of the four Tukangbesi
islands in Southeast Sulawesi Province. They are neighbors
with the Wolio (Buton) and Muna people. The Tukangbesi Utara
people speak the Tukangbesi language, which is closely
related to Cia-Cia. Available information shows that their
culture is virtually the same as the Tukangbesi Selatan, but
they claim a separate identity for reasons not yet clear to
researchers.The Tukangbesi language is most commonly spoken
in the Binongko and Tomea dialects. Education is emphasized
for boys and girls alike. They have a tradition of literary
skill, and this is displayed in culturally important books
and long poems. At the beginning of 15th century, migrants
from Johor, in what is now Malaysia, established the kingdom
of Buton. This kingdom included the Tukangbesi Islands and
was ruled by a raja (king). In 1540, the sixth raja
converted to Islam, making him the first sultan. His
sultanate lasted until the death of the last sultan in 1960
lead to integration with the nation of Indonesia.
The Tukangbesi Utara base much of their livelihood on
agriculture, since the soil of the islands is very fertile.
The main crops grown are corn, dry rice, and cassava. Many
Tukangbesi Utara are also fishermen or boat-builders.
However, since economic opportunities are lacking, many sail
to other locations. Some of these never return, and people
of Tukangbesi Utara origin live throughout much of eastern
Indonesia. Seafaring is considered men's work, along with
ironworking, boat building, brass and silver manufacturing,
and most work in the fields. Pottery, weaving, preparing
meals, cleaning, and managing the family's money are the
women's primary jobs. Tukangbesi Utara houses are raised
above ground and built of sturdy planks. The roofs are made
of small planks, palm leaves, or iron, and the houses have
only a few small windows. Most villages have markets where
woven silk, cotton, and other fabrics are traded. Although
parents are involved in the arrangement of marriages, the
young people are free to choose their partners. After
marriage, the couple lives with the bride's family until the
husband can build his own house. Both spouses are actively
involved in caring for their children.
Most Tukangbesi Utara people are Muslims, |
| Tukang Besi South 156.000 Islam |
| 100,000 in Maluku. Tukang Besi archipelago south
islands, Binongko and Tomea islands off Sutheast Sulawesi;
Maluku, Taliabu, Mongole, Sulabesi, Buru, Seram, Ambon, and
Alor islands. Bonerate dialect in Bonerate, Madu, Kalaotoa,
and Karompa islands in Selayar District, South Sulawesi;
numerous settlements throughout western Papua. Alternate
names: Buton, Tukang-Besi, Wakatobi. Dialects: Binongko,
Bonerate, Tomea (Tomia). Lexical similarity: 70%–75% with
Tukang Besi North [khc], 48% with Cia-Cia [cia], 49% with
Lasalimu [llm], average of 35% with other nearby languages.
Lexical similarity 85% between Binongko and Tomea, 81% with
Bonerate, 79% between Tomea and Bonerate. |
| Waru 400 Islam |
| Southeast Sulawesi, Konawe District, Asera subdistrict,
Mopute village by Lindu River. Alternate names: Mapute,
Mopute. Dialects: Waru, Lalomerui. Lexical similarity: 86%
between the Waru and Lalomerui dialects, 79% with Tolaki [lbw]
dialects and Mekongga (dial Tolaki [lbw]), 70% with Rahambuu
[raz] and Kodeoha [vko], 54% with the Mori [mzq] or [xmz]
and Bungku [bkz] groups. |
| Wawoni 28.000 Islam |
| 14,000 Wawonii, 7,500 Menui. Southeast Sulawesi, Wawonii
and Menui islands near Kendari. Alternate names: Wowonii.
Dialects: Wawonii, Menui. Lexical similarity: 75% with
Bungku [bkz] and Tulambatu dialect of Bungku [bkz], 66% with
Taloki [lbw], Kulisusu [vkl], and Koroni [xkq], 65% with
Moronene [mqn]. |
The Wawonii can be found on the island of Wawoni, which
is located off the southeastern coast of the major island of
Sulawesi. Their language, which they call Wawonii is related
to the Bungku and Tulambatu languages. Although there is not
as much information currently available about the Wawonii as
there is on some other people groups, that which is
available shows a way of life similar to their better known
neighbors, the Bingkoka, the Pancana, and the Muna. All of
these groups once belonged to the sultanate of Butung (the
island of Buton was once known as Butung). The sultanate
included Butung, Muna, Kabaena, and other small islands. The
Sultan of Butung ruled the Wawonii through a hierarchy of
advisors and officials. Local chiefs, who were selected from
the families of their predecessors, lived in the capital.
The Wawonii were under Dutch rule from 1910 until 1949 at
which time they became part of the newly independent
Indonesian nation.
The Wawonii's primary way of making a living is by growing
corn. Crops other than corn include sweet potatoes, sugar
cane, various vegetables, tobacco, and coffee. New fields
are opened by the "slash and burn" technique of cutting down
trees and burning the underbrush. The Wawonii are forced to
move each time their fields become infertile, because their
farming techniques cause infertility in their current
fields.Their houses are spread throughout the new areas they
clear out of the jungle. Houses are built on stilts, and
their very high roofs are made of woven thatch. Most people
groups in Sulawesi are still familiar with different social
classes in their social systems. The Wawonii use the typical
groupings of nobility, middle class, and common people.
Usually, each respective class has its own customs, in
addition to different traditions and habits. The privilege
of owning land is decided by the community advisory
committee, which has unconditional authority over all the
land.The lineage of descent of the Wawonii is patrilineal
(tracing descent from the father). In Wawonii marriages, the
groom pays a bride price to her family. This price is
determined by the groom's social status in the community;
the higher his status, the higher the price. Before the
marriage, the future husband must undergo a trial period by
his future in-laws. However, this requirement is the main
cause of many elopements.
Almost all Wawonii people practice Sunni Islam. |
| Wolio 66.000 Islam |
| Southeast Sulawesi, southwest Buton Island, Bau-Bau.
Also in Malaysia (Sabah). Alternate names: Baubau. Dialects:
Lexical similarity: 61% with Cia-Cia [cia], 60% with Masiri
dialect of Cia-Cia [cia] and Lantoi dialect of Kaimbulawa [zka].
|
The Wolio pe ople (also called the Baubau, Buton, or
Butung) live in Indonesia and Malaysia. In Indonesia they
live on the small islands of Buton, Muna, and Kabaena,
located in the Southeast Sulawesi Province. Their ancestors
were immigrants from Johor, Malaysia at the beginning of
15th century, who also founded the Buton dynasty. In 1540
the sixth king became a follower of Islam. He reshaped the
kingdom to become a sultanate, and set himself up as the
first sultan. The sultanate of Buton lasted until the death
of the last sultan in 1960. With his death, the Buton
sultanate ended and thus its traditions have been lost.
Buton today is known for its production of asphalt. Many
people have moved to other islands to find work. At the
present time, many Wolio people live in the areas of Maluku
and Papua. They speak the Wolio language, which is from the
Buton-Muna group of languages in their daily life
conversation. Other than that, the Arabic language is also
understood by some, especially in religious writings and
older written materials.
In each of their villages there usually is a market for the
selling of materials related to cloth products, such as
silk, cotton, and others. Many villages also have small
stores, and peddlers also can be seen selling their wares
throughout the village. Wolio people primarily live as
farmers because their land is very fertile. Primary crops
are rice, corn, and cassava. Many people also work as
sailors or shipbuilders. The water around Buton and Muna is
also filled with fish, especially tuna and "yellow tail"
fish.The Wolio houses are built using boards, with small
windows added. The roofs are built with small boards and
coconut leaves. These houses are raised up to two meters
above the ground. In the Wolio community, the men are mainly
involved in labor outside the home, while the wife works in
the home and manages the family and their finances. Marriage
relationships in Buton are monogamous. Newly married couples
live in the bride's parents' house until the man is able to
build their own house. Both parents share the responsibility
of raising their children. The Wolio people place a great
priority on education. Good education for their children has
been a high priority. This, added to their willingness to
study foreign languages, has resulted in noticeable social
advancement.
Almost all Wolio people have beliefs centered in Sufi Islam.
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