Function of Haroa oral tradition practices in religious life towards Muna society

Abstract

This paper aimed to observe the practice of Haroa oral traditions as a local culture related to the religious life of the Muna society. The Muna society was one of the ethnic groups in Southeast Sulawesi whose majority religion was Muslim. In the practice of religious life, the Muna society had oral tradition practices that had been passed down for generations, especially, those related to celebrating important days in the Islamic religion. In the current era, the Haroa oral tradition is still practiced by the Muna society although some society considers the tradition to be inappropriate even from certain Islamic groups, assuming tradition is very contrary to the teachings of the Islamic religion. A view assumes the practice of tradition is an act that is considered old-fashioned, upholding-is or heresy and so on. However, the Muna society who carry out the Haroa tradition considers the Haroa tradition has a very useful function for the society, especially, social life, cultural, and religious life.