ANCIENT LOCAL CULTURE OF THE BUGINESE AND ISLAM: PHENOMENOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF THE ACCULTURATION OF ISLAM AND THE BISSU TRADITION

Abstract

The Bugis community in South Sulawesi, Indonesia has a pre-Islamic tradition called Bissu which still exists today and is acculturated to Islam. This culture is still deeply rooted in several regions and has even become a symbol of distinctive traditions. This study attempted to examine the relationship between local culture in Bissu cultural practices and Islam, to identify the impact of the acculturation of the Bissu traditions with the Islamic teachings. Using a phenomenological analysis approach, this research studied the Bissu cultural and traditional beliefs and practices, at the research location of the Segeri area, Pangkejene Regency, South Sulawesi Islands. The data was collected through primary and secondary data. the primary sources included interviews with the government officials and local residents, aiming at finding out how Bissu traditions have been integrated with Islam. The secondary data was retrieved from documents and research studies. The findings reveal that Bissu community had completely adhered to Islam and adapted the Islamic values and teachings in their ritual ceremonies. The local community also felt that the Bissu used Islam as their main pattern of life. The implication of this study lies in the fact that the Bissu traditional rituals are now part of local ancestral traditions that need to be cared for as cultural treasures in the Bugis society.