INTERNALIZING KALOSARA’S VALUE IN A TRADITIONAL DANCE ‘LULO’, KENDARI, SOUTHEAST SULAWESI

Abstract

Message of peace may grow anywhere, and if it grows on the culture of community, it will last in perpetuity. Therefore, this research tries to identify any local wisdom that fully embraces the message of peace in the city of Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, by employing descriptive-qualitative approach. In-depth interview, literature review, and observation indicated that the sacrality of kalosara value among Tolakinese people still holds an essential aspect to their life. It is a distinctive totem made of rattan wood in circular-and-intertwined shape, which is believed to be a representation of Sangia (the highest deity in Tolakinese belief). Its presence is not only acted as a complement to traditional ceremonies, but also its effectiveness to settle any disputes, confrontation, and even vengeful grudge in murder cases. Two opposing sides with drawn swords will automatically restraint themselves whenever one tries to settle the fight ensuing by throwing a hat-shaped item by exclamation to consider it as kalosara, as though it holds a magical quality that affects their subconscious mind. Consequently, those two Tolakinese people are immediately willing to reconcile themselves. This magical value can be transformed into more wide-array aspect, by strengthening the circular energy of kalosara in the form of various mass activities, particularly in a traditional dance called ‘lulo’, which truly represents kalosara with their signature circular motion. By accentuating the circular motion of lulo dance as representation of kalosara, it is expected to enrich its value and sacrality, thus the atmospehere of peacefulness will grow within the Tolakinese people and spread over to other communities in Kendari, as a unified lulo society, or any other aspiring lulo societies.

Keywords

• Kalosara
• Tolakinese culture
• Lulo dance
• peace culture