Maluku`s Buli Tribe`s Traditions Preserved from Modernization: Researcher

Ambon (Antara Maluku) - Modernization has not significantly affected the cultures and traditions of the Buli tribe living in Maba sub-district, East Halmahera district, North Maluku province, noted the Cultural Values Preservation Office`s (BPNB`s) cultural researcher.

"Modernization and development have not really affected the traditions and culture of the Buli people, as until now they still use the traditional language, which is a part of the Austronesian language group, not Indonesian," Florence Sahusilawane, the researcher from the BPNB office in Ambon, Maluku, stated here on Thursday.

According to Florence, preservation of the Buli tribe`s traditions and cultures from the effects of modernization is very interesting to study, given that the Maba sub-district areas has been one of the nickel mining sites frequented by several people from other regions across the archipelago and even from other countries.

Apart from still preserving the traditional language, the tribe`s cultures and traditions have long been passed down the generations. Among others are stilt houses, mutual aid or locally called babariono or fagalgali traditions that are carried out while starting new plantations or building houses and several other traditions.

"These traditions and cultures are passed on from generation to generation through narratives, folklores, and traditional dances that are still important during celebrations, including the religious days," Florence explained.

The Buli tribe societies are Muslims and Christians. However, there is no exact evidence when the Islamic preachers started to disseminate Islam or when the Christian missionaries began to spread Christianity.

"But, one instance that was recorded was that the last conversion to Christianity occurred in around 1975," Florence noted.

According to Buli`s narrations, in the past, soldiers serving the Sultanate Tidore intercepted the Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie`s (VOC) ships when they tried to enter Tidore`s waters during the Hongitochten expedition.

Originally, the Buli tribe communities lived in the mountains on the Halmahera Island. Later on, the King of Tidore, Sultan Nuku urged them to move and settle in the coastal areas that have since then become their settlements.

"There are two villages home to the Buli tribe communities. Buli Asal is the original village of all societies, which are predominantly Christians, and Buli Karya, which is majorly settled by the Muslims," Florence added.