DARI HUTAN KE RITUAL: Kain Kulit Kayu di Sulawesi Tengah Perspektif Sejarah-Antropologi

Abstract

Barkcloth is one of the oldest forms of material culture in tropical regions and was widely developed in Central Sulawesi. This study examines the long history of barkcloth, beginning with its early function as a universal clothing material for tropical societies and continuing through its transformation into a symbolic, social, and spiritual medium within the lives of the people of Central Sulawesi. This research employs a historical method with a qualitative-descriptive approach through literature review of ethnographic sources, colonial archives, and cultural anthropology studies. The findings reveal that barkcloth is not merely a material object, but an integral part of cosmological systems, social structures, cultural identity, and ritual practices. This tradition developed extensively among various communities such as the Pamona, Wana, Mori, Kulawi, Pipikoro, and Lore peoples. The colonial period and the introduction of modern textiles contributed to the decline in the use of barkcloth; however, the tradition has persisted as a symbol of cultural identity and local heritage. The study confirms that barkcloth represents a harmonious relationship between humans, nature, and spirituality, continuously negotiated within the context of modernity.