Comparison of Original and Modified Buton Weaving in Kulisusu Buton Utara

Abstract

North Buton Regency is the furthest area from Buton Sultanate’s cultural center which was recently formed in 2007. It has the lowest quantity in weaving production. However, the use of original Buton Weaving at traditional events at the Kulisusu Palace North Buton is still sacred but new conditions are emerging more mass and industrial. This study investigates the relationship between aspects of meaning, production, and utility in Buton Weaving in North Buton and comparison between original and modern Buton Weaving. The ethnographic method is carried out by interview on figures who are influential in the preservation and development of Buton Weaving and observation of traditional rituals at the Kulisusu Palace North Buton. The results of the analysis show a new insight that important aspects related to Buton Weaving are production process, utility, and meaning. The three aspects are interconnected and produce two contradictive conditions of Buton Weaving which is loaded with customary rules, sacred and the other hand freer, mass-produced conditions. Further research needs to be done to document the customary rules that are currently passed down through hereditary customs for North Buton to have a valid source to be referenced.