Indigeneity and religion in Dea Kaju: Living in mixed worlds

In Angge Buntu Dea Kaju, an indigeneous community in South Sulawesi, Pappasang and Pangngadarang are considered core wisdom. Pappasang is the set of norms passed down through generations and serves as guidelines in daily life, and Pangngadarang is the form of practical rules that have become traditions in various aspects of community life. Both wisdom guide the lives of Angge Buntu people, alongside Islamic teaching and practices. As the younger generation moves into big cities to pursue formal education and alternative economic livelihood, tension arises between preserving traditional customs and embracing new life style and values, including religious considerations. Perspectives gathered from in the community suggest that many young people are not familiar with their ancestral customs and rituals. In some cases, the lack of awareness is accompanied by negative views on Pamali—practices seen to be misaligned with religious teachings. This presentation aims to look at the role of Pappasang and Pangngadarang in Angge Buntu Dea Kaju and discuss how they interact with religions, including Islam. I will highlight the irony and tension among the community as the young members increasingly move out in search of a better life, but away from maintaining the core values of Angge Buntu. I would argue that there is a space for dialogue on religious moderation and tolerance to support the sustainability of local wisdoms.

Indonesia Project - SMERU Collaborative Research Grants Open

The ANU Indonesia Project, in collaboration with the SMERU Research Institute, are proud to announce the 2024 - 2025 Collaborative Research Grants are open for application. 

Grants are valued at up to AUD $10,000 per project to foster collaboration between Indonesian and Australian institutions and contribute to important and high-quality research projects led by emerging or early career Indonesian researchers.

The Project strongly encourages women, researchers with disability, and researchers from diverse backgrounds to apply for these grants.