KEMBALI LAGI !!!

Setelah sekian lama menghilang dari dunia blog, saya kembali lagi memperkenalkan adat istiadat dan wisata khususnya di sulawesi tengah. Nantikan ulasan saya berikutnya........
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Anniversary of GPID Sion Kulawi Church

Source : Enos Lagimpu, SE

(Committee Secretary of GPID Sion Church Kulawi
Anniversary, Sigi District-Central Sulawesi Province)

The time has passed, our activity is over already in the framework of the anniversary of our fellowship establishment is often called the church community.

Kulawi people (to-Kulawi) is one of the tribal families who have hereditary inhabiting upland central Sulawesi and has a very upholding social order that is culture and beliefs.

Beliefs means to worship the Divine is known as "Karampua I'Tanah, Karampua I'Langi" which means that the Creator of Heaven and Earth or in another term called "To-Pehoi" which means the Creator.

Wunca event is one part of the worship of the Creator. This Feast of the ritual nuances by the Kulawi implemented as an expression of thanksgiving after the harvest in the fields or in fields that the stars were the "to-Balia" Priest or a leader community. Wunca Tarade is a symbol of success in harvesting that all people should feel and enjoy it (Proverbs :3-9-10)

Rego and the drum is the art form of dance and music that always brighten the atmosphere in the party rituals and rites of Kulawi.

Rego is one of the dance worship that gave wisdom and grace worship procession poetry in dance worship voiced "Wua Mosumala Tumai Metako" means the crop all the people came to enjoy it. In this context that evangelists came to Kulawi to evangelize, but unfortunately in line with the growth of seedlings Gospel, Wunca understanding of the Christian faith can not be interpreted as a form of worship to the Creator even considered against the teachings of the Gospel so gradually being lost and even will become extinct. 61st Years already gospel signed in Kulawi, is a long journey of the gospel history.

In its development in the tribal areas Kulawi which is inhabiting mountainous areas of Central Sulawesi, and in particular areas Donggala district at that time. It means growth in Kulawi gospel is the embryo from growing a church institution that stands in the region at that time, in Sinodal found April 4th 1965, officially became "GEREJA PROTESTAN INDONESIA DONGGALA. Seventeen years after the first seeds of the Gospel began to grow and develop into a group with the name of the Church of Sion Kulawi this is proof of salvation, God care for Indigenous communities Kulawi that need to be grateful and at the same time provide encouragement for people Kulawi to maintain, preserve and expand it until Maranata.

The last "Rade I'Mpingka Ngkoloe My Mabelo" which means we gratefully welcome all God works and deeds in Kulawi with open heart.

Picture above describes earlier time face of Sion youth, they were again surprised to listen to the song mars of youth movement brought local community choir, they whispered to each other "Yesterday Never Came's again".

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Tolitoli

Tolitoli is one of district that is located in the northern city of Palu, Central Sulawesi provincial capital of Indonesia. Tolitoli District rather ordinary for most people, especially the backpacker. Besides the lack of information is the result of inadequate infrastructure facilities, especially a road link.

But for those who have visited this district, they will not forget the natural scenery, especially for marine tourism. There are several locations that can be used as marine tourism, among others Tanjung Batu Beach and Lutungan Island. In addition we can also see the activities and residential beach community.

In Tanjung Batu Beach, we can watch the sunset in the middle of the ocean, a very exotic landscape that could be seen when there are fishing boats traditional block our view of the sun, forming a silhouette of the boats were among the red glow of sunset. While enjoying the beautiful scenery, we also can enjoy the traditionally food sold by street vendors right on the edge of the beach. Not far from this location, there is a floating structure used to hold the local community events and family offices, public call with a floating restaurant.

Lutungan Island is about 3 km from the mainland island of Sulawesi. Above the island there is the tomb of King Buol, with hundreds of stairs to get to the grave site, located on the island mounds.

Travel lovers who like new challenges, can try to visit this area. Tolitoli can be taken by road, sea or air from the city of Palu.

All picture by Thony Irawanto

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Tanjung Karang Beach

Tanjung Karang Beach is one of the tourism object which is located in Donggala District, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. This beach is located about 37 km northeast of Palu City. This beach visited by many local tourists, especially those in the vicinity of Palu city. Along the journey from the City of Palu, we will found coastal scenery of the beautiful Bay of Palu on the right side road. After arrive in Donggala, visitors will find a peaceful atmosphere with a few buildings still use the Dutch architecture.

To reach Tanjung Karang Beach, visitors should proceed about 3 km journey again. From the path towards Tanjung Karang Beach, visitors will be able to see the Donggala City, complete with its atmosphere of the port. Tanjung Karang beach have white sand that perfect for swim and sunbathing. Visitors can also do snorkeling and diving. Marine parks are still natural, so it can be found coral and the beautiful ornamental fish.

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Banggai Island

Now I want to introduce you one of the exotic island in the Central Sulawesi, Banggai Island, located in western part bordered by Banda Sea in the south and Moluccas Sea in the north, these islands have numerous large reefs that support a very rich marine life; vertical drop off covered with hard and soft coral, a lot of reef shark and turtles, schools of jackfish, tunas and many coral reefs fishes. Biodiversity is extremely high and its most unique species in the endemic ornamental fish "Banggai cardinal fish" (Pterapogon kaudermi).

Although some areas have suffered from destructive fishing methods, the outer reefs is still promising with some very beautiful walls, with a lot of gorgonians and black coral, small caves and overhangs. Divers will encounter larger animal like whales, dugongs, turtles, groupers, sometimes sharks and eagle rays. The inner island boast fringing reefs with coral gardens populated by small fish and also special animals like frogfish, ribbon eels, bobtail squid and more.

Also there is a waterfall that rarely visited by tourists even by the local community. This waterfall located in Salodik Village, and this pictures documented by M. Affan (Affan.web.id), described that waterfall. The best season to visit is April to October every years, and you can contact Maleo Cottages (wallacea@indosat.net.id)

(Source : Ecotourism Booklet - www.my-indonesia.info)

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Kulawi Wedding Custom

By : Utje Mangela Patoki, Ir.,

Member of Kulawi Custom Chamber,
Natural Resources Conservation Field

One of the local custom in Lore Lindu National Park is Kulawi. Their custom very unique and one of them is wedding customs of Kulawi, called "Poncamoko none-pokono", which means a wedding stage for men and women who love each other. In general, the procession of Kulawi Wedding Custom going on 3 days. In the first day, held a series of procession that must be run, among others: Mampewiwi, Pekahovani and Pemua. Then the next day held a wedding procession called Pobauni. A series of ceremonial procession in Pobauni custom among other mo linaiki, Mantime and Movia Oli. Then on the last day was held the Pe Pantodui / Me Pantodui procession. Explanation of each procession of the above as follows:

1. "Mampewiwi", wiwi means lips or mouth, the discussion between bridegroom family and bride family to continue their engagement in a formal manner. This discussion also represented by one of the indigenous elders of each side. When the agreement has occurred, and then will proceed with further procession.
2. "Pekahovani", kahova means dowry is a sign of love bonds between men and women who will step toward marriage. So mangkeni kahova/pekahovani means bring the dowry from bridegroom family to bride family. Those which brought are a food tray called padence, "mbesa" cloth (Kulawi custom cloth) and a hatchet. This indicates that the woman may not receive a proposal from other men. In Kulawi indigenous culture, with kahova levels adjusted by maternal lineage of the woman, who at this time is generally carried out by the Indigenous Kulawi People with the ability of the bridegroom family called "Lima Mpole Ka Ono Mpulu Ngkau" means five dowry with 6 tails buffalo slaughtered, 74 food tray, 15 pieces mbesa cloth and 15 tails buffalo.The implementation of the mangkeni kahova according to the traditional rules then appointed a spokesperson representing bridegroom family called huro/tope bawa amount 6 people with traditional full dressed .
3. "Pemua", Pemua/memua means to enter the house. Pemua is a procession where the bridegroom transported to the bride family house. In accordance with the provisions of customs, the convoy are huro that amounted to 6 people. After arriving at the bride family house, and bridegroom and bride sit together, accompanied the bride family and the indigenous elders (totua adat). Next procession is a tradition dinner. After finished, huro will explains the purpose of their arrival to the representative of the bride family, represented by one of indigenuos elders. After discussion is completed, and then as a Kulawi custom they became husband and wife formally. Then there was a procession that carried out called "Po Hoda Guma/Tono", po hoda means hanging in, guma is a Kulawi chopping knife hereditary, tono means chopping knife. This procession carrying by the head of huro, guma hang on the wall of a bride room. The purpose of this procession are still in the shelter of the Lord, always given a luck, run hard in life and protected from all kinds of unwanted interference.
4. "Pobauni", was a procession that is identical with the benediction, or often we call wedding reception. This activity is intended as a sign of thanks to God, that the implementation of Kulawi wedding custom has been completed. This procession implementation in bride family home. Family and parents of the bridegroom picked by huro to implement a remaining series of procession. Then in the early-morning held a traditional procession called mo linaiki to the river, where the two families/parents, husband and wife use "tali patoko" (rope from a nails, twisted to all who are present in the river), then indigenous elders take river water spraying to the husband and wife head with say the spell. This procession is rarely done because it only applies to nobility. After returning from the river and then held a procession called "mantime" means slaughtered. Husband and wife and their families transfer to the slaughter, in this case that a buffalo slaughtered was tied on a areca nut tree that has been cutting off called "haropu potaka ra bengka to time". a buffalo slaughtered is white stripe that indicates that the wedding came from noble or his descendants. That is to slaughter one of indigenous elders, the husband holding the waist of the indigenous elders followed by his wife holding the waist husband. After slaughtered, then the blood of buffalo that still stick in the chopping knife scrubbed in the husband and wife forehead along with their families. This means that no interference of evil spirits or they ancestor spirit in their life. After the "mantime" procession finished, husband and the wife and then return to the wife family house and greeted with a roll of paper wasp called mogima and the arts called "rego", a Kulawi custom dance.
5. "Movia Oli", Movia means of speech, Oli means dowry, the procession which was held to discuss the dowry, is appropriate or whether there are additional needs that must be fulfilled by the husband/husband parents. This event was conducted by the "huro moliwe", indigenous elders sit face-to-face amounted to 12 people and two parents of husband and wife. In their face available dowry which being discusssion. Then they do called "mo hia tawe" means as a calculating from a banana leaf sheet, cut small, this event was also witnessed by representatives of Kulawi Custom Chamber and the District Government. After the discussion going, and the dowry agreed marked by "pinongo" (stored in a small food tray/"pampongoa") from the indigenoous elders wife parents to the huro as spokesperson for the husband's parents. After processing is complete and held a "me pebangka tamo" which means we can implement traditional dinner party together ).
6. "Pe Pantodui/Me Pantodui", that means tread. This procession is held where the husband pick up his wife to come in the husband family house, huro be under guard by the amount of 6 people. Then the front door of a house in the husband's family was ready to wait for the parents of the husband with the idigenous elders. there is a food tray, hatchet/stone teaser and hulled rice. The idigenous elders which is to invoke the Lord's prayer caleed no gane and lift one of wife leg upon the food tray containing a stone hatchet and laying teaser in the head while prayers and shower hulled rice to wife head. Then the husband's parents are waiting at the door giving a "mbesa" cloth to the wife to enter the house followed by the husband and their family. After that held a lunch together, and then after finished, continued with the shake hands to mark the end of traditional procession "pe pantodui".

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Lore Lindu National Park

Now, I want to introduce you about National Park just only one in Central of Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. Lore Lindu National Park has a rich of natural biodiversity, else there are some relic form of pre historic, megalith stone, one of the best megalith monuments in Indonesia. By UNESCO in 1977 became as biosphere heritage. Some location in around national park which attract tourism to visit include :

1. Besoa Valley; tourists can see Maleo Bird habitat and Megalith Stone recreational.
2. Lindu Lake, Wuasa, Gimpu & Bada; the lake tourists area and birds observation.
3. Saluki, Bada & Napu Valleys; the beautiful natural panoramic and some megalith stone
4. Mt Nokilalaki, Mt Rorekatimbo & Lariang River; the place for climbing, camping & rafting
5. Lewuto Lake; the lake and seeing the inheritance of Moradindo corpse
6. Dongi-dongi & Kamarora; place for camping, hot water, forest across and animal observation


Geographically, Lore Lindu National Park located at 119⁰58’-120⁰16’ LE and 1⁰8’-1⁰’SL position. This park located between two administrative districts, Donggala (Kulawi, Sigi Biromaru and Palolo Sub Districts) and Poso (South Lore, North Lore and Central Lore Sub Districts). Based on decree from the Minister of Forestry and Plantation No. 464/Kpts-II/1999, dated on June 23, 1999 settled by 217,991.18 Ha broadly.

Lore Lindu National Park located at 200 to 2.610 above the sea level altitude, the highest peak are Mount Nokilalaki (2,355 M) and Mount Rorekatimbu (2,610 M). Rainfall annual average between 2,000 to 3,000 mm/year with 22 to 34⁰C. This park also function as water catchment area, supported by two major rivers, Gumbasa and Lariang Rivers.

Lore Lindu National Park has two main types of ecosystem, the lowland rain forest ecosystem and the mountain rain forest ecosystem. Besides, divided in two sub zone, Mountain rain forest sub zone which is a transition ecosystem between lowland rain forest and mountain rain forest, and alpine mountain forest sub zone which is a transition ecosystem of mountain forest and alpine forest.

Some plants contained in this park are Eucaliptus, Cananga, Agathis, Rattan, etc. Also there are various type of animals, 117 mammals, 88 birds, 29 kinds of reptile, and 19 types of amphibian. 50% animals found in this area is endemic, i.e Tonkean Monkey, Babi rusa, Tangkasi, Cuscus, Maleo bird, etc.

Lore Lindu National Park can be reached with two or four wheeled vehicle; Palu - Kamarora (50 km), Palu - Wuasa (100 km), Wuasa - Besoa (50 km) and Palu - Kulawi (80 km). Trip inside this park can be done with walk or ride a horse or with motorcycle; with route Gimpu-Besoa-Bada and Saluki (Sidaonta) - Lindu Lake.

Source : www.dephut.go.id/www.indonesia.go.id

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Komodo National Park : Vote for New 7 Wonders

Komodo National Park has successfully reached the 28 finalists of the New 7 Wonders of Nature Campaign. Let's vote this Komodo National Park become one of 7 wonders of nature in the world.

Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) or local name ora is the largest lizard species in the world who live on the island of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang and Gili Dasami in Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Body size of this reptile reached 2-3 meters long with an average weight of 70-90 kg.


The development of evolution began with the emergence of Komodo Varanus genus in Asia about 40 million years ago and pro immigration to Australia. There is a merging between Australia plates continent and Southeast Asia (15 million years ago) allows lizard move toward the region now known as Indonesia.

Komodo was first documented by Europeans in the 1910. Then in 1912 the published paper about Komodo by Peter Ouwens (Director of the Zoology Museum, Bogor) start Komodo known broadly. Then in the 1926, the expedition to Komodo Island by W. Douglas Burden started. The results of this expedition to find 12 specimens of preserved and 2 living Komodo. Then, by W. Douglas Burden was named Komodo Dragon, the inspire of making King Kong movie in 1933.

Because this species vulnerable to extinction, and by IUCN Red List species are categorized as vulnerable. Estimated at 4,000-5,000 komodo living in the Komodo wildlife. The population spread in some islands, Komodo (1,700) rinca (1,300) Flores (2,000), Gili Motang (100) and Gili Dasami (100). Because of this, then in 1980 the Government of Indonesia set the Komodo National Park to protect the population and ecosystem of the Komodo.

Komodo doesn’t have the senses of hearing, able to see up to 300m far. This animals use their tongue to detect a sense, with the wind help and the head movement to right and left when running they can detect the presence of carrion as far 4 to 9.5 km.

Komodo dragons live in the dry open pasture hollow, sabana and tropical forests at the low altitude. They like the hot and dry climate, active during the daylight and sometimes also at night. This reptile can run up to 20 km/hour in short distances, very good swimmers and able to dive as deep as 4.5 m and clever using their strong claw to climb the tree.

Komodo is the type of carnivore, most eat carrion, on some research they also hunt live prey with stealthily moving, followed by a sneak attack against the victim. This ancient reptile eat by torn the cut of flesh, and can swallow prey up to as big as a goat. However this process takes up to 15-20 minutes. After eating, Komodo dragged her body to the sunlight to speed the process of digestion. If it isn’t, food that is digested in the stomach can rot and poison to their body itself. Due to the slow metabolism, adult Komodo can only survive with the food (prey) 12 times a year or once a month.

Komodo dragons have natural weapons such as saliva. Saliva contains thousand endanger bacterial. If the bite does not directly kill its victim then in a matter of one week's their victim will die due to infection. The most endanger bacterial found in saliva Komodo is Pasteurella multocida.

Komodo reproduce with the lay eggs. Reproducing season between May and August and Komodo eggs placed in September. Female lay eggs in the soil pit, scrape with edge hill mound or a nest bird has been abandoned. Komodo prefer to save their eggs in the nest that have been abandoned. Average Komodo eggs in the nest contains 20 eggs that will hatch after 7-8 months. Female Lie down above their egg to brood and protect it until around April, in the last rainy season where there are many insects.

Young Komodo spend the first years on the tree, where their relative safety from predators, including an cannibal Komodo. They need 3 to 5 years to become adults and can survive more than 50 years.

Source : wilkpedia.org/komodonationalpark.org

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