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Bugis Adaptation Strategies in Karimunjawa Overseas
Land
Titiek Suliyati
1*
{suliyati.titiek@gmail.com}
1*
Departement of History, Faculty of Humanities, Dipnegoro University
Jl.Prof.H.Soedarto, SH.Tembalang Semarang
Abstract. This article is the research result of Bugis life in Karimunjawa. Buginese or Bugis is one
of the tribes in Indonesia with great enthusiasm to migrate. This study aims to examine the reasons
why the Bugis migrate to Karimunjawa, the reasons they settle, the adaptation strategies they use
to survive in Karimunjawa and the social changes in their lives. The used method in this study was
a qualitative method, with the data collection through literature studies, intensively observation by
observing community activities accompanied by detailed records, and structured or unstructured
in-depth interview. The results showed that Masompe ' (wander off) meant as a high prestige for
the Bugis. The philosophy of Tellu Cappa ("three tips") is the capital of the Bugis to migrate. The
adaptation that has been done by the Bugis tribe brings changes to the Bugis environment and the
surrounding community, so as to create harmony in interaction.
Keywords: Strategies, adaptation, Bugis, Karimunjawa.
1 Introduction
One of the tribes in Indonesia with a tendency to migrate is Bugis tribe. Further, related
to this migration activity, Bugis recognize the term sompe ', meaning migration land and
pasompe’ meaning nomads. Moreover, from several studies known that Bugis are actually not
a group of people whose life is exploring the ocean, but farmers. This is in accordance with
fertile South Sulawesi land and suitable for agricultural area. Bugis people development from
farmers to maritime took place around the 18
th
century [1].
The Bugis migration activity to all areas of Indonesia began since Makassar was ruled
by the Dutch Colonial Government on 1667. Then the Dutch Colonial Government limited
Bugis trade activities causing many Bugis travelled accross the sea to find new life resources
to other regions throughout Indonesia and abroad [2]. In line with the statement by Lineton,
pasompe' spirit 'is based on the character of Bugis who highly integrate freedom and honor.
The freedom that is always fought by Bugis is the freedom of expressing opinions, seeking life
resources and strive, and living. If they do not obtain one of those freedoms, they chose to
move to a place that do not limit their freedom [3].
Sompe’ initially it is a trading activity of Bugis to various regions of Indonesia even to
foreign countries [4]. In the following decades, the spirit of migrating is also driven by the
expectation of earning more income in work, trading, and achieving their education dream.
As pasompe’ (nomads) Bugis armed with Tellu Cappa. Tellu Cappa (tellu means three,
cappa means tip) is a passed down philosophy by Bugis ancestors and is very useful in their
migration life, they are cappa 'lilae (tongue's tip), cappa' orowanewe (penis' tip), cappa
'kawalie (weapons/Badik). Cappa 'lilae as an allegory of speaking, communicating, and
diplomatic skills associated with their daily activities.
Cappa ’orowanewe is a metaphor for Bugis men who nomads, who are expected to be
able to marry noble women from the upper classes for instance the daughters of local rulers.
CL-Lamas 2019, August 13-14, Semarang, Indonesia
Copyright © 2019 EAI
DOI 10.4108/eai.13-8-2019.2290171