Thursday, October 7, 2010

Buton people hold Sambure traditional ritual

Buton, Southeast Sulawesi - Siontanipa people, Buton district, Southeast Sulawesi, held a traditional ritual called Sambure at the peak of Siontapina Mountain, La Ogo, a local traditional leader, said here Monday.

The ritual participated in by hundreds of people from four tribes, namely Wasumamba, Labuandiri, Kamaru and Lawele, was held annually by the people climbing to the top of the mountain to perform traditional rituals.

According to local tradition, the Sambure ceremony is an activity to clean up the Siontapina Palace, including the historical sites around the castle.

Two of the historical places at Siontapina Castle are Batu Banawa and Tomb of Sultan La Ode Himayatuddin Muhamad Saidi, known as Oputa Sangia Yikoo.

La Ogo said Batu Banawa is believed as the first stone resembling a woman`s womb invented in Buton Island.

"Inside Batu Banawa, water never dried up even in the dry season. The water is believed to heal certain diseases," he said.

Besides, the local Siontapina people clean the tomb of Sultan La Ode Himayatuddin Muhamad Saidi, the 20th and 22nd Sultan Buton for two periods.

"The ritual had been held for the past hundreds of years. People also accepted the ritual as giving them bless. Therefore, in every ceremony the four villages were abandoned," he ended.(*)

Source: http://www.antaranews.com