Function of Traditional Ceremony in The Mawasangka Community of Central Buton Southeast Sulawesi Indonesia

Abstract

The aim of this research is to define the traditional ceremonial function of the Mawasangka community in Central Buton Regency, Southeast Sulawesi Province. This qualitative research uses observation, interviews, and documentation as a data collection technique. Research findings show that the traditional ceremonies of the Mawasangka community are organized to celebrate pregnancy and birth, serve as spiritual functions, social functions, and functions for the growth of tourism. Spiritual roles are often linked to asking for the protection of their ancestors or Deity, giving rise to religious feelings, feeling secure, calm, serene and healthy. In the meantime, as a social mechanism, it is a means of social control, social touch, interaction, integration, and collective communication, so that harmony, shared participation, equality, solidarity, and social grouping can take place. Finally, as the development of tourism, the wedding ceremony is used as a tourist exhibit, and with a sacred and symbolic impression, can draw local and foreign tourists.

Traditional ceremonies seek to praise, to be thankful, to worship, to ask God for redemption through the subtle-beings and their ancestors. People believe that human shortcomings can be resolved by the intervention of ancestors. The nature of rituals, redemption or ceremonies is a human attempt to achieve peace, tranquility and, at the same time, to preserve the universe. Ceremonial action is a human endeavor as a bridge between the underworld (humans) and the realm of the higher rites (spirits or their God). By ceremonies, sacrifices, rituals, people are supposed to be associated with the world above, their ancestors, spirits, and God. By the intercession of the gods, the spirits and their Creator will bless the redemption of man. The Mawasangka community still adheres to the customs of their ancestors, namely the instinct for traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. Today, the people of Mawasangka have changed and improved during pregnancy and birth ceremonies. Changes occur on the surface, indicating that the Mawasangka community is still conducting rituals, but only shortened or condensed or mixed, but there are also items that are beginning to happen seldom or not at all.