TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The South Sulawesi tourism and culture agency is in a constant struggle to preserve the existence of the region’s cultural and historical asset: the Bissu community.
The Bissu community in the ancient Bugis history comprises chosen people considered to be holy who acts as advisers to the king. This community still clings to its original cultural and traditional values up to this day in hopes of preserving the local wisdom.
There are practically only six Bissu members left to this day, out of the prior 40 members.
“Don’t let the Bissu community be extinct in our hands since there is practically no more regeneration. This is a cultural and historical asset,” said Pangkep Hj Dasriana, S.Sos, MM, the head of cultural issues of the South Sulawesi tourism and culture agency.
Dasriana is also a writer that composed a report on the implementation of change projects "U`dani ri Bissu" and is considered to be the best in the Makassar state administration.
During Dasriana's two years in office, she maintained that the agency would constantly introduce the Mabissu tradition in cultural festivals across Indonesia.
“We introduced the Bissu at performances in Bali and Yogyakarta, and the latest at a Jambi cultural festival,” said Dasriana.
ANTARA
