The Negative Stigma Against the Bajo Tribe and its Impact on Local Culture: Study of the Bajo Tribe in Bungin Village of South Konawe

Abstract

This study aims to examine and analyze the negative stigma of Bajo tribe and its impact on the existence of the local culture of Bajo tribe. Data collection techniques are conducted through in-depth interviews, document studies and focused discussions. Data analysis is done through data reduction, data presentation and conclusion. The results show that the Bajo tribe is still regarded as an underdeveloped tribe, always viewed as a wild, unruly, rough, stubborn and introvert. Bajo tribe is also viewed as part of society that is still paternalisitic and pragmatic, alienated, isolated, and left behind, has a low civilization that must be initiated with various empowerment programs. Bajo tribe is often also imaged as a prototype of willful society, because they reject development, even in the past Bajo tribe in Bungin was once accused of being the next generation of Darul Islam / Tentara Islam Indonesia (DI / TII). The bias of negative imagery results the change in mentality and cultural values of the local Bajo tribe into marginal positions. The mentality of Bajo society is now transformed into a consumptive society and false capitalism. Currently, there are many local wisdom of Bajo tribe who experienced weakening, even the oral tradition began to experience extinction. While the older generation who understand the culture of Bajo also diminish due to the age factor, and many younger generations of Bajo who no longer know and understand the local culture of Bajo, due to the weakness of inheritance system and cultural transformation of the older generation to the younger generation.