Totoli'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 has a sub-tribe, namely the Totoli 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.

Linguistically, this tribe speaks the Dampelas language which belongs to the western Austronesian language group in the Tomini - Totoli language group. Already in the late 18th century, most of the local population identified themselves not based on their ancestral ethnicity, but as a separate group of people, whose name was adopted from the name of the bay & the largest settlement established on the coast. The presence among the ancestors of the tribal nobility & interaction with the Dutch colonial government resulted in the special position of the Kayeli for the next century, which claimed the role of the indigenous elite on the island.

Since the mid-20th century, the population of the ethnic group has experienced a rapid population decline & only about 800 people remained in the early 21st century. There is 1 writing found in the ancestral grave of Semidang 4 Dusun located in Maras, Talo. The writing was written on tree bark using letters that resemble ancient Arabic letters.

Based on the stories of the parents, the Serawai tribe originated from an ancestor named Serunting Sakti with the title Si Pahit Lidah. In addition, some argue that Serunting Sakti is the child 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 Princess Tenggang gave birth to a daughter named Princess Tolak Merindu, the marriage between Princess Tenggang and Puyang Kepala Jurai took place, and that was done after Princess Tolak Merindu could walk and speak. Most of the Dampelas tribe are Muslim, but they also maintain animist beliefs.

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 at a much lower level than among other ethnic groups on the island. This ceremony had previously been suspended for 11 years and was resumed in 2016.