Who are the Luwu?

The Luwu people live in the province of South Sulawesi in the Pangkep Regency, near the Poso valley and the Kalaena River. Sulawesi is a large mountainous island often described as being shaped like an orchid or crab. It has a coastline of about 5,000 kilometers and consists mainly of four peninsulas separated by deep gulfs, with two of the peninsulas extending southward and two northeastward.

In the Pangkep Regency there is a cave named Sumpang Bita, which is said to the home of the Luwu’s ancestors from 5,000 years ago. On the wall of Sumpang Bita there is an old drawing of the palm of a man’s hand, and the sole of a man’s foot, a boat, a deer and a wild boar. It is thought that these elements show the former lifestyle of the Luwu people.

Other ancient artifacts from 300-100 B.C. have been discovered in the Tomatua Kacicang cave. Other archeological sites in the area include Bola Batu cave (in Barebo District) and Pattae cave (in Turikale District).

What are their lives like?

The Luwu people generally live as farmers. Besides planting rice, they also grow corn, peanuts, chili peppers, cassava, and potatoes. They also grow coffee and cloves for trading. Some Luwu gather snails, eels, and small fish from the irrigated rice fields that are not planted. They still use water buffalo to plow their rice fields.

The Luwu are known for their houses and rice barns, which are decorated with complex carvings. Many houses also have large statues of wealthy Luwu nobles. Their villages are fairly small and located in hills or spread along a plain. These villages consist of extended families, with four to six families living together in one house. They stress the importance of diligence, respecting their elders, and putting the needs of the family before the needs of the individual.

The parents sometimes still arrange marriages, but nowadays most young people are given permission to choose a spouse themselves. After marriage, the new couple may choose to live with either the husband’s family or the wife’s family.

An unusual form of adoption is frequent among the Luwu people. They believe that family bonds can be broadened and made stronger by allowing relatives or friends to adopt their children. The children end up being raised by their original parents as well as their adoptive parents.

What do they believe?

The Luwu people follow Sunni Islam. Nevertheless, all sorts of animistic practices still influence their culture. Among the Luwu, burial constitutes an event that is extremely critical in one’s existence. They believe that this ceremony enables the deceased person to leave the world of the living and continue the journey to the hereafter. The burial ceremony varies in length and complexity, depending on one’s wealth and status.

What are their needs?

The Luwu people need to be introduced to modern farming of a more practical and productive nature, to replace their traditional methods. They also need training in improving crops to increasing their sale value.