To Dakka | |
|---|---|
| Total population | |
| 1,500 [1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Indonesia (Polewali Mandar) | |
| Languages | |
| Dakka, Mandarese, and Indonesian | |
| Religion | |
| Sunni Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Pannei • Pattae • Mandarese |
The Dakka people (Dakka: To Dakka) are an ethnic group who inhabit the Tapango district, as well as parts of Wonomulyo and Matakali districts, Polewali Mandar Regency in the province of West Sulawesi, Indonesia. They are a minority along with other ethnic groups, such as the Pannei and Pattae, where the Mandarese people are the dominant ethnic group in Polewali Mandar Regency. [2] The existence of this ethnic group is not widely known, because apart from their small population, they are considered part of the larger Mandarese people. The Dakka people do not have a written tradition like the Mandarese people. [3]
The name "Dakka" can be interpreted as 'sea water receding onto the beach'. The existence of coral fossils and sea sand dunes which are estimated to be thousands of years old at the peak of Mount Dakka can still be seen today. The Dakka people believe this is one of the strongest proofs that the area was once a seawater reservoir. Moreover, it is not only the name of an ethnic group, but also the name of a village, where the Dakka people settled. Administratively, Dakka village is part of the Tapango district. The expanse of rice fields that stretch so wide is also a characteristic of the social life of the community, the majority of whom make a living as farmers. Apart from their agrarian lifestyle, the Dakka people are also known as an ethnic group that is quite open to newcomers. On that basis, it was later known as a multicultural area on a rural scale in Polewali Mandar Regency. [3]
The Dakka people are also known by their endonym To Dakka, which comes from two words, namely to which means a person or group of people, and dakka in the Dakka language itself, namely tau pia or tumacoa which means 'good people'. [4] [ better source needed ] In the past, Dakka was known as a small kingdom within the scope of the palili (subordinate or follower kingdom) located between Pitu Ulunna Salu and Pitu Baqbana Binanga, its transitional status makes it more adoptive in the application of customary law, If the geographical area is close to the Pitu Ulunna Salu area, it will use customary law known as adoq tuo (law of life) and if it is close to the Pitu Baqbana Binanga area, it will use customary law known as adoq mate (law of death). [2]
Dakka together with other small kingdoms, namely the Batu, Tapango, Sabura, Kurra, Mapilli, Rappang, and Andau formed Palili Arrua (lit. 'eight small kingdoms'). In the Mandarese language transliteration book of Lontarak Pattodioloang, it is stated that palili is divided into two, namely palili which is located in the mountainous area, namely Lenggo, Karokeq, Saburaq, and Batu, led by the title of lenggo, and the palili on the coast is led by the title beluaq (it is not stated which area is included in Palili on the coast). On the other hand, it is explained that lenggo is tasked with receiving guests from Pitu Ulunna Salu, defending the state and as a protector of customs. [2]
The Dakka people are spread across three districts, namely Tapango, as well as parts of Wonomulyo and Matakali, most of which are in coastal areas, so that judging from the location of their residence, the Dakka Kingdom was previously included in the palili which is on the coast region. The Dakka people are currently undergoing acculturation and assimilation, and mixing with other ethnic groups in the surrounding areas as is known in the Matakali, Wonomulyo, and Tapango is a fairly heterogeneous area, there are various ethnic groups that inhabit these districts, starting from the Mandarese, Javanese, Bugis, Torajan, Campalagian, Pattae, Pannei, and others. The Dakka people also practice kinship and marriage ties with people outside their ethnic group, which makes them more free. This mixture then highlights the tribal aspects that are no longer dominant. Then, because of the influence of the Mandarese people, which is quite dominant in inhabiting the Polewali Mandar Regency and most of the coast of West Sulawesi, makes the Dakka people seem less visible in these settlements, most of whom have been absorbed into the Mandarese people's section. [2]
The Dakka people use a language that tends to be different from the languages used by other ethnic groups around them. For example, for the word 'big', in Mandarese language it is kayyang, kaippang, or kaimborro, while the Dakka language calls it katongko, there are contrasting differences and more varied vocabulary. The Dakka language speaking population is around 1,500 people and is classified as a language from the Pitu Ulunna Salu branch in the Austronesian language family. The classification used places the Dakka language in the same group as the Pitu Ulunna Salu languages along with the Aralle-Tabulahan, Bambang, Pannei, and Ulumanda languages. Meanwhile, the Dakka language lexically has a similarity of 72% to 77% with the Pannei and Bambang languages. The Pannei people is geographically located not far from the distribution area of the Dakka people. Today, the Dakka language is spoken with a mix of vocabulary including the Mandarese and Buginese languages, two ethnic groups of speakers who are also found living in the areas where the Dakka people are spread. [2]
A stronger aspect of Dakka culture can be found in the Tapango district, where this ethnic group originates. Many people in this area, especially in Dakka village, still hold fast to the native's culture, including using the Dakka language in their daily lives. However, the Dakka culture is more or less in a worrying state, always experiencing the influence of foreign culture through various media. The implementation of customs, traditions and culture only lands on the elderly population, while the younger generation no longer follows the customs of their predecessors so much. [2]