Communication Patterns of Hindu Towani Tolotang and Muslim Community in Sidenreng Rappang Regency

Abstract

The inter-group communication has the contribution in maintaining and forming social relations existing in a multicultural community. The research aims at describing the communication patterns of Hindu Towani Tolotang community and the Muslim community at Sidrap Regency which can be an inspiration for people who live in the religious, ethnic, and cultural diversities. The research used the qualitative method, using the ethnographic study describing the socio-cultural meanings and forms in the multicultural community. Research data were collected by conducting observations and interviews in the forms of the personality interviews and in-depth interviews The research locations were at Amparita District and Duapitue District, Sidenreng Rappang Regency, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, where Hindu Towani Tolotang live. The research informants were selected through the purposive sampling technique by choosing the religious leaders, community leaders, and local government being Hindu Towani Tolotang and Muslims. The research result indicates that the Hindu Towani Tolotang community and Muslim community at Sidrap Regency use two communication patterns. First, the Y pattern of the customary stakeholders communicates with someone being the prominent figure in conveying information to the Hindu Towani Tolotang community as well as to the Muslim community. Second is the starred communication pattern. This pattern allows for the optimum member participation, that is, everyone has the same power to convey the information and approaches to individuals and groups.