Community Empowerment through Bubusiano Sampe Tradition in Lapandewa District, South Buton Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia

This study examines local wisdom named Bubusiano Sampe Traditional Ritual in Lapandewa District, South Buton Regency, as a catalyst for community empowerment in the context of food security. This study examines the vital role of Parabela (traditional leaders), traditional rules, and traditional ritual processes in strengthening the community' capacity to manage their food resources in a dry and barren environment. Using a qualitative approach and case studies, this research was conducted in Lapandewa Village, Lapandewa Kaindea Village, and Lapandewa Jaya village, highlighting how traditional practices and values contained in the Bubusiano Sampe ritual promote sustainability and autonomy in food management. The findings reveal that food security in Lapandewa does not only depend on farming techniques, but more broadly involves strengthening communal identity, local knowledge, and resource management skills passed down through a ritual called Bubusiano Sampe. This method serves more than just the maintenance of tradition; it acts as a key driver in empowering communities to survive and thrive despite challenging natural conditions. This research highlights how the interaction between traditions, local policies, and social practices not only creates the foundation for sustainable food security, but also increases the adaptive capacity and self-reliance of communities. Thus, this study provides important insights into the importance of traditional rituals in community empowerment, showing that local wisdom can be an important resource in facing various environmental and social challenges.