Disaster Mitigation Based on Local Wisdom in Shifting Cultivators Communities

Abstract

The Tolaki tribe, which is a native who inhabits the mainland areas of Southeast Sulawesi Province, some still manage their lives through traditional natural resource management. Strong traditions, including preserving the environment and forests in the Tolaki ethnic group, are always maintained. This study was directed to find out and examine the local wisdom of the Tolaki people in moving farming activities (monda'u) related to disaster mitigation, especially natural disasters of floods, landslides, and fires. The research approach used is qualitative, where the primary data collection techniques are observation and in-depth interviews. The results showed much local wisdom in an institution that has been maintained to oversee forest support and sustainability. This indicates that in monda'u activities, Tolaki people have long provided education avoiding natural disasters for generations. Norms regarding the location of the field location, the right time to farm, the rules and ordinances of the opening, burning, and clearing of land in the monda'u tradition are loaded with mitigation against floods' natural disasters, landslides, and fires. This local wisdom can be integrated into modern agricultural systems to minimize natural disasters.