Linguistic Units and Cultural Meanings in the Ritual Speech of Mowindahako Among the Tolaki Mekongga Ethnic Group

Abstract

This study explores the linguistic forms and cultural meanings embedded in the Mowindahako ritual speech of the Tolaki Mekongga community in Kolaka, Southeast Sulawesi. Mowindahako is a traditional wedding ceremony that serves as a medium to transmit moral, social, and spiritual values across generations. Adopting a descriptive qualitative method within the framework of cultural linguistics, this study examined how language operates as a reflection and vehicle of cultural knowledge. Data were collected through observation, audio recording, interviews with customary leaders, and transcription of ritual utterances and were analyzed to identify the linguistic units and their cultural functions. The findings reveal that Mowindahako speech contains distinctive linguistic structures at the levels of words, phrases, clauses, sentences, and discourses, characterized by repetition, sound parallelism, and the use of archaic forms. Linguistic symbols, such as kalosara, karambau, and tawa-tawa, function as cultural signs that embody the values of unity, harmony, and spirituality within Tolaki society. The study concludes that the Mowindahako language functions not only as a medium for ritual communication, but also as a semiotic instrument for transmitting social norms, ethical principles, and collective identity. This research contributes to the preservation of local languages and cultural heritage while enriching the broader field of cultural linguistics in Indonesia.

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