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Wawonii |
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People Group: |
Wawonii |
 |
| Location: |
Indonesia |
| Population: |
28,000 |
| Religion: |
Islam |
| % Christian: |
1.00% |
| % Evangelical: |
0.02% |
| Ministry
Resources: |
None |
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Total People Group
Population: |
28,000 |
Other countries People
Group Linked to: |
None |
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Additional Information:
Who are the Wawonii?
The Wawonii can be found on the island of Wawoni, which is located off
the southeastern coast of the major island of Sulawesi. Their language,
which they call Wawonii is related to the Bungku and Tulambatu
languages. Although there is not as much information currently available
about the Wawonii as there is on some other people groups, that which is
available shows a way of life similar to their better known neighbors,
the Bingkoka, the Pancana, and the Muna. All of these groups once
belonged to the sultanate of Butung (the island of Buton was once known
as Butung). The sultanate included Butung, Muna, Kabaena, and other
small islands. The Sultan of Butung ruled the Wawonii through a
hierarchy of advisors and officials. Local chiefs, who were selected
from the families of their predecessors, lived in the capital. The
Wawonii were under Dutch rule from 1910 until 1949 at which time they
became part of the newly independent Indonesian nation.
What are their lives like?
The Wawonii's primary way of making a living is by growing corn. Crops
other than corn include sweet potatoes, sugar cane, various vegetables,
tobacco, and coffee. New fields are opened by the "slash and burn"
technique of cutting down trees and burning the underbrush. The Wawonii
are forced to move each time their fields become infertile, because
their farming techniques cause infertility in their current fields.Their
houses are spread throughout the new areas they clear out of the jungle.
Houses are built on stilts, and their very high roofs are made of woven
thatch. Most people groups in Sulawesi are still familiar with different
social classes in their social systems. The Wawonii use the typical
groupings of nobility, middle class, and common people. Usually, each
respective class has its own customs, in addition to different
traditions and habits. The privilege of owning land is decided by the
community advisory committee, which has unconditional authority over all
the land.The lineage of descent of the Wawonii is patrilineal (tracing
descent from the father). In Wawonii marriages, the groom pays a bride
price to her family. This price is determined by the groom's social
status in the community; the higher his status, the higher the price.
Before the marriage, the future husband must undergo a trial period by
his future in-laws. However, this requirement is the main cause of many
elopements.
What do they believe?
Almost all Wawonii people practice Sunni Islam. Despite this,
traditional animistic beliefs are still strong in daily life. They still
believe in the power of unseen spirits that inhabit sacred places. 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 Wawonii people need better agricultural education so they will not
have to continue migrating to new fields, but can replenish their old
ones. The Wawonii have inadequate employment opportunities and new job
creation is very much needed. In order to improve health services for
the community, they also need more medical attention, clinics, and
medical personnel.
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