Social and Cultural South Sulawesi Province

Many ethnics and local languages are used in South Sulawesi community but the most dominant ethnic also the most general language are Makasar, Bugis, and Toraja. One of the most famous culture until abroad is Tana Toraja custom culture special and interest region. The folksong is always sung among Makasar song that is Ma Rencong-Rencong, Pakarena, and Angin Mamiri. Where as Bugis’ song are Indo Logo, and Bulu Alaina Tempe and for Tana Toraja is Tondo song.

Custom houses in Bugis, Makasar and Tator have almost the same from traditional architecture. Those houses are built on poles that’s why they have space underneath. The house the height of the space underneath is adapted in every step with their social status for example king, noble, hold an important position person and common people. The community there believe all this time the first prehistory inhabitant in South Sulawesi are Toale people. It is based on finding Fritz and Paul Sarasin about Toale people, means they live in the jungle, or they are said the jungle inhabitant. Toale people still a group of family with Wedda nation ethnic in Srilangka.

One of the custom ceremony in Toraja (Tator) is Rambu Solo ceremony (death ceremony) that constitute a big ceremony to express the deepest condolences where as in Bugis community there are life philosophical “aja Muamelo Ribbeta Makkala’ Ricappa’na Letengnge” means the community will be waiting with a great hope that the government who lead can do and act quickly to precede other person with full of brave despite face heavy challenge.

There is also philosophy “Namo maega Pabbisena Nabongngo Pollopina, Teawa Nalureng”, means that even there are let a lot of rowers but if rudder isn’t an expert, I don’t want to go sailing. In this case, this philosophy teach us if there is a leader who is not smart, we shouldn’t follow him even if he has a lot of guardian.

Source: Indonesia Tanah Airku (2007).