Tolotang

Towani Tolotang refers both to a religious system and an ethnic group that is indigenous to the Bugis tribal community located in the landlocked Sindenreng Rappang Regency of South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The Bugis migrated to South Sulawesi from the Wajo kingdom, which was conquered in the 17th century by the troops of Sultan Alauddin of the Gowa Kingdom. King Wajo himself was forcibly converted to Islam at that time, and he ordered all the people of the Wajo Kingdom to convert as well, The Towani Tolotang did not follow this order, which led to their expulsion from the kingdom. Their enduring syncretic belief system, interweaving animism, Hindu rituals, and historical adaptations, sets them apart within a predominantly Muslim society. For the Towani Tolotang people, helping one another reflects their adherence to the values of their religion and believe it is a command from the supreme god. Muslims also believe that helping others is commanded by their religion. In consequence, relations between adherants of these two religions are predominately amicable, if unequal. Kinship ties can bridge the barrier that opposing beleif systems erects since both parties come from the native stock. Traditional Tolotang leaders who safeguard their rituals and traditions are critical to cultural preservation. This community's resilience lies in its adaptability, in maintaining the secrecy of its doctrine, and in implementing successful strategies for transmitting religious knowledge from one generations to the next. Challenges persist, including the discriminatory policies of the Indonesian government and being regarded as second class citizens by the majority Muslim society. Islam is officially recognized by the state, but Towani Tolotang is not. The culture possesses communally controlled areas that are only used as religious activities and traditional ceremonies. Indigenous Uwa' and Uwatta are the leaders of customary laws and norms, planners of customary activities, and decision makers. Afherance to traditional customs enables the Bugis people to form views and patterns of daily life that include social processes such as relationships between the individual and the group, the rights and obligations of the individual in society, proper patterns of social intraction, good leadership, and mantainance and preservation of the social order. The supreme god that the Towani Tolotang worship is called Dewa Sewwae or Dewata Seuwae, which means God Almighty.