Who are the Konjo Pesisir?

The Konjo people cluster consist of two groups, namely the Konjo Pegunungan (mountain) and the Konjo Pesisir (coastal). The Konjo Pesisir people (also known as Tiro) live in the districts of Kajang, Herlang, Bonto Tiro and Bonto Bahari in the southeast area of the Bulukumba Regency. The Konjo Pesisir speak the Konjo language in several dialects, namely Tana Toa, Konjo Hitam and Kajang.

The Konjo Hitam (Black Konjo) people, who are included among the Konjo Pesisir, occupy an area to the west of Kajang. They choose to maintain the old ways of living, such as wearing black clothes, not being allowed to use tools, and practicing occultism as part of their animistic worship. These Konjo Hitam consider themselves the original inhabitants and regard their area as the center of traditional custom for all of the Konjo Pesisir. They have never had a king and do not follow a system of social stratification like other Konjo groups.

What are their lives like?

The Konjo Pesisir make their living (as do the Konjo Pegunungan) by cultivating the land with a system for dividing the crops. The farm workers receive one-third to one-half of the profits, depending on who pays for seeds and planting needs.

The houses of the Konjo Pesisir can be seen all along the main roads, but there are also houses which are located off the main road and near the unirrigated fields in rural areas. Their community is divided into a series of governmental administrative units, the smallest of which has 10 households.

The Konjo Pesisir people are fond of gathering into groups and chatting. They are supportive of each other in work and finances; and in various activities such as attending marriage ceremonies, visiting the sick, and visiting to offer condolences if there is a death. Despite conflicts among themselves, they are united in facing threats from the outside.

The Konjo Pesisir people tend to be materialistic and proud, in that they demonstrate a competitive desire to have gain more wealth and spend lavishly merely to impress others. They also feel that they must protect their siri (honor/self-esteem) as well as that of their community.

What do they believe?

The Konjo Pesisir people are Muslims. However, animistic practices are still maintained, and the Islamic religious leader does not have much influence. The people choose him for leading religious ceremonies and duties in the mesjid (mosque). A dukun (shaman/healer/occultist) from the Konjo Hitam is called to perform ceremonies and to heal the sick. Amma Toa (old father) from the Konjo Hitam is regarded as the religious leader in that area and is feared because of his magical powers.

What are their needs?

The Konjo Pesisir people need to be prepared step by step for encountering the changes of the modern world, so they can adapt to the advancing world without losing their identity. They need leaders who understand loyalty to maintaining customs while also introducing new and beneficial practices. Often their loyalty to customs (paying for lavish ceremonies, refusal of schools, etc.) has been to their own disadvantage.