Landscape of Pre-Islamic Beliefs: The Rise of Agriculture and Bugis Diaspora

Agricultural traditions in South Sulawesi and the Bugis diaspora in the archipelago have a long history. Available historical sources and archaeological evidence suggest that upland agriculture began at least in the 12th century, and lowland from the 14th and 15th centuries, before increasing in th 16th and 17th centuries. In the span of more than four centuries, agricultural activities have shaped the environment and influenced the cultural landscape, both in agriculture and in spiritual life. Religiosity which is integrated with rice subsistence is still maintained in several areas in South Sulawesi. This study focuses on the aspects of Bugis religiosity in a fertile area in the central part of the southern peninsula of Sulawesi which includes the regency of Wajo, Soppeng, Sidenreng Rappang, and Pinrang. The main source of this research is based on the results of an archaeological and ethnographic survey in 2018, 2020 (Desk Study), and 2021 on the pre-Islamic cultural-ecological landscape in several rivers that empties into Lake Tempe. Using an interdisciplinary approach, this paper will present the Bugis cultural landscape as a starting point for understanding the contextual relationship between increased agricultural and religious activities associated with the Bugis diaspora as one of the foundations of civilization and its adaptation to social and political changes both in the context of Indonesia and the Southeast Asia region.