The Toponymy of Village Names in Gorontalo, Indonesia

Abstract

Geographically, Bone Bolango Regency is divided into 18 districts administration areas consisting of 5 sub-districts and 160 villages. Without a doubt, a significant number of regions resulting from the division are currently unaware of the origin of the naming of regions and boundaries. Therefore, it is necessary to study the existence of these places in terms of the aspect of naming the region (toponymy) and the area where the division of the region occurs. Tapa District is one of the districts in Bone Bolango Regency. This qualitative research combines two approaches, namely anthropolinguistic and geographic approaches. The purpose of this study is to identify the toponymy of the village based on (1) embodiment aspects (water, topographical, and natural environment backgrounds), (2) social aspects, and (3) cultural aspects. Data collection techniques used in-depth interviews and literature studies with data sources obtained from village officials, community leaders, traditional leaders, and indigenous people who were born and live in Tapa. The data analysis used in this research is descriptive. Based on the study results, the aspects underlying the toponymy of the village in the Tapa sub-district are a phenomenon, social, and cultural aspects. The toponymy of the village in the Tapa sub-district, which is influenced by natural physical geography factors (phenomenon aspects), is in the naming of Miranti village, Talulobutu village, and South Talulobutu village. Meanwhile, the social aspect is found in naming the village of Talumopatu. Furthermore, the cultural aspect in the form of folklore is found in the naming of Kramat Village, Dunggala Village, and Langge Village.