To Pamona, Poso, Bare'e | |
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![]() The exchange of cotton cloth (bride-wealth) at a To Pamona wedding in 1991. | |
Total population | |
167,000[1] | |
Regions with significant populations | |
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Languages | |
Pamona, Indonesian | |
Religion | |
Christianity (predominantly), Islam, Folk religion | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Tau Taa Wana, Toraja, Poso Pesisir |
The Pamona (often referred to as Poso, Bare'e, or To Pamona) people is an ethnic group of Indonesia. They inhabit almost the entire Poso Regency, parts of Tojo Una-Una Regency and parts of North Morowali Regency, Central Sulawesi; in fact there are some even in East Luwu Regency of South Sulawesi, whereas a small remainder lives in other parts of Indonesia. The ancestors of the Pamona people originally came from the land of Salu Moge (East Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi) because they were once from the mountains which is far from the central governance thus they were brought down by Macoa Bawalipu of Wotu, East Luwu Regency to be nearer to the central governance, which is the surrounding region of Mangkutana (East Luwu Regency).[2] But it was until a revolt by the DI/TII rebellion broke out that they spread to Central Sulawesi and to other regions.[3] If there are Pamona people in certain regions, then it is common that a Rukun Poso (Poso community association) is formed there, which serves as a means of a group of people from a common ethnic background to engage in various activities within the region. Almost all of the Pamona people practices Christianity. Christianity came into the region at the end of the 19 century and until today it is widely accepted as the religion of the people. Today, all churches of common denomination are grouped under the Central Sulawesi Christian Church headquartered in Tentena, Poso Regency, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia.[4] A large part of the common folk uses Pamona and Indonesian language that is mixed with the local slang. The Pamona people are usually farmers, government officials, pastors, entrepreneurs and so on.