9:30-11:00am WIB // 12:30-2:00pm AEST

Join in-person: McDonald Room, Menzies library, ANU

Join online: bit.ly/indonesia-study-group-2024

About the seminar

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.

About the speaker

Nur Utaminingsih is a lecturer in the Department of International Relations, State Islamic University (Universitas Islam Negeri) of Alauddin Makassar since 2017. She has a master degree from Universitas Indonesia. Her research expertise are sustainability studies, culture and Indigenous people, management organisation, and knowledge systems in development studies. Her great interest in community empowerment led Nur Utaminingsih to initiate the Baraka Institute, a social community focused on research and community empowerment related to local politics and sustainable development issues. Currently, She is also taking responsibility as the Program Director of Marege Institute, a civil society organisation that focuses on the relationship between Makassar and Australia through studies and research on the Trepangers (sea cucumber-seeking) sailors from Makasar to Marege since the 15th Century AD.

Image: Masjid Buntu Dea/Sainal Latif