What question did this study set out to answer?

The research aims to understand how Bajo/Sama beliefs and rituals shape their cognitive relationship with the sea.

March 7, 2026Open Access

Describing Space Cognition from Ritual Practices among Bajo Settlements in Southeast Sulawesi: The Affective Bond between People, Spirits, and the Sea

Key Points

The research aims to understand how Bajo/Sama beliefs and rituals shape their cognitive relationship with the sea.
Qualitative exploration of beliefs and perspectives among Bajo/Sama people
Analysis of ritual practices related to the sea
Field observations of daily activities involving the ocean
Highlighting the central role of the sea in Bajo livelihood
Describing the emotional and spiritual connections between the community and the sea
Identifying specific ritual practices that reinforce their cultural identity

Abstract

This article explores the Bajo/Sama people’s perspectives and beliefs about the sea, focusing on the ritual practices of these settlements in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. The sea has traditionally been the source of the Bajo’s livelihood: they have used the sea for fishing, dwelling, shipping, practicing healing rituals, and carrying across the deceased for burial on islands.

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