Tolotang

Tolotang (sometimes written Tolottang, or Towani Tolotang) is the original religion of Bugis which is adhered to by the majority in several areas within the province of South Sulawesi, Indonesia, especially in Sidenreng Rappang Regency or commonly known as Sidrap Regency.

Tolotang
"La Galigo", the holy book of the Tolotang religion.
TypeEthnic religion
Scripture
TheologyMonotheism
PolityParisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia
LeaderBissu
RegionSouth Sulawesi
 • Sidenreng Rappang Regency
LanguageBugis
FounderLa Panaungi
Number of followers± 27,000
Other name(s)Hindu Tolotang

About 5,000 residents in the Amparita area, Sidrap Regency adhere to a religion that has been passed down from generation to generation. Because the Indonesian government only recognizes six religions, the rest are categorized as belief in God Almighty, and Tolotang adherents do not want to be called a religious sect finally they joined themselves with Hinduism. Therefore, until now this belief is also known as the "Hindu Tolotang". It is the same with the Kaharingan religion of the Dayak tribe and Aluk Todolo of the Toraja people who also joined Hinduism, so they are known as "Kaharingan Hindus" and "Alukta Hindus".[1]

History

Some sources say that the founder of Tolotang is La Panaungi. These Tolotang adherents know that God exists and they know him better by the name of "Dewata Seuwa'e" (God Almighty) who has the title "Patoto'e" (The One Who Determines Destiny). So Tolotang is classified as not animism or dynamism as often touted by the Bugis themselves who already believe in other religions, and are no longer members of the Tolotang community. The Tolotang religion is a religion that has known God since before the arrival of the Samawi religions in the region.[1]

In its development, Islam became the majority religion in almost the entire area of South Sulawesi so native religions such as Tolotang also began to decline known although some still maintain this ancestral religion in a community group. Another problem arose in 1966, namely when the government did not recognize the religions embraced by the aforementioned community groups. At that time the government only recognized five religions, namely Islam, Catholic, Protestant, Hindu, and Buddhist. The government then gave Tolotang residents three choices. Administratively, will they be categorized as Muslim, Christian, or Hindu, because according to the government the three religions are close to the Tolotang beliefs. Based on the results of the agreement, Hindus were chosen. Since then, this community has officially embraced Hinduism. However, in practice, they still carry out their customs and embrace the beliefs that they have inherited from generation to generation.[1]

In the past, followers of the local Bugis religion also suffered a tragic fate. They were being chased by Darul Islam/Indonesian Islamic Army (DI/TII) rebels led by Kahar Muzakkar. The rebels forced many of Tolotang's predecessors to renounce their faith. Not a few of them were killed.[2]

References
  1. La panaungi, Pendiri Toani Tolotangrappang.com Archived 2015-05-03 at the Wayback Machine
  2. 1001 Indonesia: Kepercayaan Lokal Komunitas Towani Tolotang di Sidenreng Rappang. 25 January 2019. Accessed 30 March 2019.
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