Boano's Animism

The Kaili - Tomini - Totoli group has a slightly different language from the Kaili & Ledo groups, which are distinct because of the mixture of sub-tribes. The Kaili - Tomini - Totoli group itself has a sub-tribe, namely the Boano tribe. The Dondo tribe is an ethnic group that inhabits the Dondo, Galang & Baolan sub-districts in Buol Tolitoli district, Central Sulawesi province, Indonesia. 

The Serawai tribe is the second largest ethnic group living in the Bengkulu area. Based on the stories of the parents, the Serawai tribe comes from an ancestor named Serunting Sakti with the title Si Pahit Lidah. In addition, some argue that Serunting Sakti is the result of an illicit relationship between Puyang Kepala Jurai and Putri Tenggang. 

Putri Senggang is the child of Rajo Megat, who has 2 children, namely Rajo Mawang & Putri Senggang. If we look at the story of the birth of Serunting Sakti, it is suspected that there is a connection with the story of Putri Senggang & Putri Senggang may be what the Serawai people call Putri Tenggang. After Putri Tenggang gave birth to a daughter named Putri Tolak Merindu, the marriage between Putri Tenggang and Puyang Kepala Jurai took place, and that was done after Putri Tolak Merindu could walk & speak. 

Already in the late 18th century, most of the local population identified themselves not based on the ethnicity of their ancestors, but as a separate group of people, whose name was adopted from the name of the bay & the largest settlement established on the coast. Since the mid-20th century, the population of this ethnic group has experienced a rapid population decline & only about 800 people remained in the early 21st century. The presence among the ancestors of the tribal nobility & interaction with the Dutch colonial government resulted in the special position of Kayeli for the next century, who claimed the role of the indigenous elite on the island. 

There is 1 writing found in the ancestral grave of Semidang 4 hamlets located in Maras, Talo. The writing is written on tree bark using letters that resemble ancient Arabic script. In terms of religion, the majority of Kayeli people are Sunni Muslims, with remnants of local animist beliefs. 

Among them are remnants of pre-Islamic animist belief systems, but to a much lesser extent than among other ethnic groups on the island. The ceremony was previously suspended for 11 years and resumed in 2016.