Ritual, Bureaucracy, and Belonging: Survival Strategies of the Masade Community in North Sulawesi

Ahmad Khoirol Fata, Sunandar Macpal, Awaludin Hubu and Sintia Hamani

Published: 2026/06/01

Abstract

This study explores the survival strategies of the Masade community, a unique syncretic religious group in the Sangihe Islands, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Living among a predominantly Protestant population with a significant Muslim minority, the Masade ritual practice shares formal affinities with Islam while remaining embedded in Masade religious authority and cosmology. Using a qualitative approach, this research employs participant observation, in-depth interviews, and document analysis to examine how the community navigates religious pluralism and modernization. The findings reveal five key adaptive strategies: (1) Ritual syncretism – blending Islamic practices (Friday prayers, Ramadan fasting) with local traditions (bell-ringing worship calls); (2) Administrative flexibility – registering as Muslim in official documents while preserving Masade beliefs; (3) Organizational advocacy – utilizing the Majelis Luhur Kepercayaan Indonesia (MLKI) to seek legal recognition; (4) Community bonding – strengthening cohesion through Sholat Jumatee and Diko’u Soro rituals; and (5) Proactive tolerance – fostering interfaith harmony through shared customs. This study highlights how the Masade strategically balance external conformity with internal identity preservation, demonstrating resilience in a pluralistic society. It contributes to discussions on religious syncretism and the adaptation of minority communities in modernizing contexts.

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