Lengkoano Kamparanga Ritual as a Traditional Disease Prevention Practice in the Ciacia Ethnic Community, Buton Island, Indonesia

Tini Suryaningsi, Sritimuryati , Sri Chiirullia, Muhammad Amir, Abdul Hafid , Ansaar , Karyamantha Surbakti and Dwi Surti Junida

Published: 2025/09/01

Abstract

Many communities across the world perform rituals to seek protection from threats that can disrupt their lives. On Buton Island, Sulawesi, the Ciacia ethnic group practices the lengkoano kamparanga ritual as a traditional means of preventing disease outbreaks. This study explores the ritual’s significance as a culturally embedded strategy for protecting community health, maintaining social cohesion, and providing psychological reassurance. A qualitative approach was employed, collecting data through in-depth interviews with 20 knowledgeable informants, participant observations of the ritual, and focus group discussions (FGDs) with community members. Data were analyzed thematically using cultural value frameworks and ethnographic methods to understand local perceptions and practices. Findings indicate that the lengkoano kamparanga ritual is performed by offering symbolic items in four cardinal directions, reflecting the community’s ancestral knowledge and spiritual beliefs. While rooted in traditional animist practices, the ritual has been adapted over time to coexist with Islamic teachings and modern health concerns, including the COVID-19 pandemic. The ritual not only reinforces communal identity and continuity but also serves as a culturally sanctioned form of risk management, offering emotional and psychological security to villagers. This study contributes to the understanding of indigenous knowledge systems in disease prevention, illustrating how ritual practices function as complementary strategies alongside modern health interventions. It underscores the importance of preserving such cultural practices as part of local wisdom and public health resilience.

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