Ulfah Alfiyyah: INDIGENOUS AREA AMMATOA

The journey that must be traveled from Bulukumba town to village Ammatoa + 2 hours drive. Along the way, we could see thousands of rubber trees and cocoa are arranged neatly. After reaching the head of tribe’s house, Kajang, we still have to require tens of minutes to the indigenous village of Ammatoa.

Arriving at Ammatoa, we are briefed before entering, we were also accompanied by a citizen of there who became our guide. There are some rules we must obey. Visitors should wear black, should not be indiscriminate spitting, should not throwing garbage and must not take a pictures Ammatoa, his wife, and the contents of his house.

We had to walk to get into the area, because there is no transportation that can be used in the village Ammatoa. Because the rain had just come down, we passed a rocky road very slippery, so we must be careful and better walking barefoot instead of using sandals, because the ground was too soft. Along the way to the Ammatoa home, I looked around me. Right next to the left as forest, but after walking a little way in, I've found people's homes. Their house is a house on stilts, the walls made of boards, and thatched roofs made of leaves and also they do not paint their houses.

Until in front of the house Ammatoa, we have to wait their turn to enter. Once inside the house Ammatoa, I pay attention the contents of his house. At the bottom, next to the stairs, there is a small toilet. In front of the house there is no porch. On the right side of the house, there is a kitchen and on the left, the room is empty, probably as a room for receiving guests (living room). On the back of the house that is limited wall is a bed room. There are no wall hangings that are in their home as at home in general. Seen only a small torches are used as lights. Floor mats that he plaited his own.

See the face of Ammatoa that is very friendly eliminating all my bad thoughts about Ammatoa figure, the contents of his home and his family. It turned out very different from my expectations. After talking with the Ammatoa, I myself found out more information about this village who refused to modernize because they want to stay with the old custom that has been outlined from their previous offspring. Within this region there is no custom Ammatoa public facilities such as markets and schools. Therefore, if you want to buy food and other materials, they must go to the market that exists outside of this region, so even with kids who want to go to school, there are no restrictions for them, they can go outside this area but still carries a customs Ammatoa village.

As we know so far, that the Kajang and the Indigenous Villages Ammatoa identical to the black color which many misinterpreted by most people that the black color of mysticism. Actually it's clothing that they use black and white, where head coverings, clothing, and pants is blcak, while white for underwear while a symbol of our eye color, black and white and are barefoot. I am a bit surprised when entering this area, there are many children and adolescents who are not wearing black. Apparently, black clothing shall be used only for those aged > 40 years.

Before their children are allowed to marry, they must first be able to work in the kitchen and in the field, could do the daily work in a care home and make money. For women must learn to weave to produce fabrics that they can sell and for men to learn to weave lontarak’s leaves into mats and baskets. For the wedding ceremony, there are some provisions of the dowry to be given the applicant, which is seven tae (buffalo) for the upper classes, for Tae’ 5, Pattolu 4, and for Karaeng not specified how much, it depends on the consent of both parties.

Ammatoa mostly rural employment is farming. There are a lot of land they can use for farming. Their results farmers can they sell in the market to buy their daily needs. They are also no restrictions on working outside the village Ammatoa, as long as they can still uphold the village tradition Ammatoa. Ammatoa told me that there is even his brother who works abroad, but he kept hold of custom.

The largest activity undertaken, the elected of the head of tribe Ammatoa, called Angnganro. Because the tenure of Ammatoa lifetime, then to choose a new Ammatoa have to wait until three years after the death of the Ammatoa. At the last stage, the candidates were told to wudoo in a river that supposedly said river there is a shadow of Zam Zam. Only one of those candidates who received the blessing of God to be elected, a candidate who is elected will be paralyzed, unable to stand on the spot. It's a remarkable phenomenon and can not be accepted by common sense, but it really happened.

It was said that the villagers Ammatoa young and healthy always. Why? Because they do not eat preserved foods, the food is natural, natural green, no pollution, the point of their lives in perfect harmony with nature.

I am slightly disappointed that a very limited time to make us can not ask some questions that we wanted to ask. We were soon out of the region before the day is too dark. Apparently, the traditional village Ammatoa I had imagined before, that mysticism is not as sordid as I see it after I visited this village. There are some photos that I attach that can be seen below.