To Silajara | |
|---|---|
.jpg) An elderly Selayarese mansmoking a cigarette. | |
| Total population | |
| 130,000 (2024) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Indonesia (Selayar Islands, at the southern tip ofSulawesi) | |
| Languages | |
| Selayar andLaiyolo (native) Makassar,Makassar Malay, andIndonesian | |
| Religion | |
 Sunni Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Austronesian peoples (Makassar • Bugis • Bonerate • Bajau) |
TheSelayar people (Selayar:To Silajara) are anethnic group native to theSelayar Islands, at the southern tip ofSulawesi,Indonesia. The Selayar people are generally similar to theMakassar people, and are sometimes considered part of them, with commonalities in lifestyle and culture.[1] They are an ethnic group that depends on marine life, including beingsea nomads, although their range is not as wide as theBajau people.[2]
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The culture of the Selayar people is identical to that of other related ethnic groups, especially theMakassar people, because of their centuries-old relationship. On average, they work as fishermen, just like their neighbors.[3] At times they were also under the rule of theGowa Sultanate of the Makassar people.[4] For example, the wedding culture of the Selayar people includes theerang-erang bosara which is similar to the culture of the Makassar people, and many other similarities.[5]
Even though they have many similarities with the Makassar people, they do not necessarily want to be called Makassar people. The Selayar people prefer to stand alone as a recognized ethnic group. Even though they consider themselves different from the Makassar people, in terms of their linguistics and origins, it is likely that they share the same history of origin andancestors.[6]
Selayar people are known to have a gentle and polite character, and have their own social rules. These rules are passed down from generation to generation to be applied in everyday life. One of these social rules iskapalli', which meanstaboo or prohibition. Something that must not be done, because if it is done, something bad will happen to the violator.[7]
Thekapalli' in the Selayar people, include:
The Selayar people has its their language, namely theSelayar language. The Selayar language is quite different from theMakassar language, although it is still included as aMakassaric languages from theSouth Sulawesi language family.[8] Some of the vocabulary in Selayar language is the same as in Makassar language, but the pronunciation and intonation are different. In the Selayar language there are no levels of language, whether coarse or refined. The Selayar language is also related to theCoastal Konjo language spoken in the coastal area ofBulukumba,South Sulawesi.[9]
Apart from using the Selayar language as their main language, the Selayar people also uses theLaiyolo language in the district of Bontosikuyu in the southern part ofSelayar Island, aWotu–Wolio language from theCelebic language family.[10] Its speakers were around 800 in 1997 according toEthnologue.[11] Ethnically, they are not considered different from Selayar people in general, even though they speak a different language.[12] This is different from theBonerate people in theTaka Bonerate Islands, who although administratively the same, are different linguistically and ethnically.[13]
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Almost all Selayar people areSunni Muslims, just like theMakassar people. The influence ofIslam is very strong in the lives of the Selayar people, which can be seen from the culture which is influenced by Islamic teachings. Islam has taken root in them since the beginning of thespread of Islam there by theGowa Sultanate which was very influential in the region.[14] However, there were also several small local kingdoms in Selayar Islands that helped spread Islam, such as the Gantarang Kingdom.[15]
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