Central Sulawesi

Central Sulawesi, a rich mosaic of ethnic groups

Central Sulawesi is a province of Indonesia located in the center of Sulawesi Island. With a vast land area of 61,605.72 km², it surpasses all other provinces in size on the island. The administrative hub of Central Sulawesi is located in the city of Palu, which also holds the title of the province’s largest city. The province is home to a population of over 3 million individuals.

The province showcases a diverse tapestry of ethnicities, religions, and languages. The Kaili, constituting 22 percent, form the province’s largest ethnic group, closely followed by the Buginese with 16 percent and Javanese with 8.4 percent. While these three groups make up a significant portion of the population, the true diversity lies in the numerous smaller groups, collectively representing over a fifth or 22.5 percent of the population. This category includes the Pamona, Banggai, Saluan, Buol, Gorontaloan, and various other indigenous communities, each contributing their unique cultural heritage to the rich mosaic of Central Sulawesi. In addition to these ethnic groups, there are several tribes residing in the province’s mountainous areas, such as the Da’a tribe, the Wana tribe, the Seasea tribe, and the Taa tribe.

The religious landscape of Central Sulawesi is predominantly Islamic, with nearly 8 out of 10 residents, or 79.06 percent, adhering to this faith. Christianity closely follows at 16.17 percent, and Hinduism represents a smaller but noteworthy 3.5 percent of the population. Additionally, other smaller religious groups contribute to the province's diverse religious tapestry.

Despite the province boasting a diverse landscape, it has also grappled with periods of religious tension. The Poso conflict, which began in 1998 and continued until the early 2000s, was a complex issue driven by several factors, including political, social, and economic divides that existed before the violence. In addition to appreciating the tremendous efforts made in the years afterward to promote peace and reconciliation, it is crucial to commemorate this difficult period in Central Sulawesi's history.