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Ulumanda |
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People Group: |
Ulumanda |
 |
| Location: |
Indonesia |
| Population: |
34,000 |
| Religion: |
Islam |
| % Christian: |
0.01% |
| % Evangelical: |
Unknown |
| Ministry
Resources: |
None Found |
|
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Total People Group
Population: |
34,000 |
Other countries People
Group Linked to: |
None |
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Additional Information:
Who are the Ulumanda?
The Ulumanda people live in the districts of Polmas, Majene and
Polewali-Mamasa in the province of South Sulawesi. The area where the
Ulumanda people live is mountainous and rich in raw materials such as
minerals, sand, rattan, and ebony wood. The Ulumanda are closely related
to the Bungku people who live in Poso Regency of Central Sulawesi.It has
been suggested that the Ulumanda are descendants of Bungku groups who
migrated to South Sulawesi. Other designations for the Ulumanda are
Ulumandak, Ulunda, Tubi, Awosumakuyu, Botteng-Tappalang, and Kayo. Their
everyday language is the Ulumanda language, which is divided into three
dialects: Sondang, Tappalang and Boteng.
What are their lives like?
 The
Ulumanda's main occupation is farming, with rice as the main crop, and
additional crops being corn, potato, and sago. Some Ulumanda gain their
livelihood from gathering and marketing resin and rattan. Most Ulumanda
living on the coast tend to work as fishermen. The soil in Ulumanda is
relatively less fertile than in other areas of South Sulawesi.In the
past, there were two classes in the Ulumanda society: the upper class
(tribal chiefs and nobility); and the common people. Today, the Ulumanda
choose their village leader from the higher cast. In actuality, there
are 3 leaders in a village: the leader chosen by the government, the
cultural leader, and the spiritual leader. In many cases, the Ulumanda
villages are self-governing and self-policing. In the event of a crime
or offense, payment is often demanded in the form of a water buffalo or
some other valuable animal or possession. Sometimes they pay by
transferring ownership of a plot of coconut growing land. The payment
often depends on the economic situation of the offender. In the past,
marriages were arranged, but now the young people can choose for
themselves. However, the man's payment of a bride price is often more
than a year's wages, and the cost of the wedding ceremony is very
expensive (the woman's family does not pay anything). For this reason,
many Ulumanda young people elope to nearby villages to be married. If
they marry in their home village, the ceremony takes place in the
woman's house.
What do they believe?
At present, virtually all Ulumanda people are Muslims. At the same time,
traditional animistic beliefs are still strong in daily life. The
Ulumanda society is a traditional system that is filled with
prohibitions and taboos that are still rigorously followed by the vast
majority of Ulumanda. The services of a dukun (shaman/healer/occultist)
are often sought for many purposes, including healing sicknesses and
exorcising evil spirits.
What are their needs?
The Ulumanda people need assistance in the form of technical tools and
better agricultural training, so their harvests can be more plentiful.
In addition, the abundance of raw materials in the Ulumanda area needs
professional management. Development of training to improve their human
resources is also needed. Efforts are needed to empower the handicraft
industry (especially ebony carvings) so these workers can receive fair
market value for their products.
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