Symbolic meanings in the Mowindahako ritual of the Tolaki Mekongga Kolaka ethnic

This research aims to discover and analyze the symbolic meaning contained in the mowindahako ritual of the Tolaki Mekongga ethnic group in Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi. The method used in the research is qualitative descriptive, and research data was obtained from utterances spoken by the Tolaki community, namely traditional figures/spokespeople during conventional processions. The results of the research show that the mowindahako ritual (customary completion) of the Tolaki Mekongga ethnic marriage ceremony, apart from describing the traditional marriage procession, which is very important to know, is also essential to understand and use as a guide in the internal life of its supporters. This ritual is also full of cultural symbolic meanings, which include social, sacred, economic and responsibility symbols. In the traditional mowindahako procession, there is a communication function with the message conveyed, and it can be understood that the Tolaki Mekongga ethnic wedding ceremony expects everyone who gets married to have harmonious relationships within their family.