Eco-phenomenology in the local concept of Buginese agriculture based on Kutika manuscript

Abstract

The way Bugis people adapt to nature has been contained in the book of Lontara’, which is called Kutika. Kutika’s scriptwriting background was full of philosophies and religious influences when the script was created. The philosophical calculation time shows how Buginese humans talk to nature, read signs, and treat nature as an equal element, not as an object. This philosophical triggered the writer to see it from ecophenomenology by Saras Dewi and Heidegger’s perspective. This research applies a philological approach with a critical edition method to translate the manuscript, then linking text analysis with ecophenomenology. Through the eco-phenomenology approach, local concepts in the Kutika text regarding the use of natural pesticides (biopesticides) can be described. Eco-phenomenology views humans and nature as equal entities. This is in line with the Bugis perspective, which views pests not as the enemy but as friends who should be fed first. Lontara’ Kutika shows that since hundreds of years ago, the Bugis people have had modern agriculture techniques with their local knowledge. The knowledge that is considered ancient is needed as an alternative to solve environmental problems today.