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

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Title: Linguistic Units and Cultural Meanings in the Ritual Speech of Mowindahako Among the Tolaki Mekongga Ethnic Group.
Authors: Takwa1, Arafah, Burhanuddin2, Hasyim, Muhammad2, Akhmar, Andi Muhammmad2, Taqdir2
Source: Journal of Language Teaching & Research. Mar2026, Vol. 17 Issue 2, p665-676. 12p.
Subject Terms: *Cultural values, *Discourse, Ritual, Ethnic groups, Linguistics, Indonesians, Weddings
Geographic Terms: Indonesia, Sulawesi (Indonesia)
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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Language Teaching & Research is the property of Academy Publication Co., LTD and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
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  Data: Linguistic Units and Cultural Meanings in the Ritual Speech of Mowindahako Among the Tolaki Mekongga Ethnic Group.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Language+Teaching+%26+Research%22">Journal of Language Teaching & Research</searchLink>. Mar2026, Vol. 17 Issue 2, p665-676. 12p.
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cultural+values%22">Cultural values</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Discourse%22">Discourse</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Ritual%22">Ritual</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Ethnic+groups%22">Ethnic groups</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Linguistics%22">Linguistics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Indonesians%22">Indonesians</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Weddings%22">Weddings</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Indonesia%22">Indonesia</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sulawesi+%28Indonesia%29%22">Sulawesi (Indonesia)</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Language Teaching & Research is the property of Academy Publication Co., LTD and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.17507/jltr.1702.29
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 12
        StartPage: 665
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      – SubjectFull: Cultural values
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Discourse
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Ritual
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Ethnic groups
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Linguistics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Indonesians
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Weddings
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Indonesia
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sulawesi (Indonesia)
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Linguistic Units and Cultural Meanings in the Ritual Speech of Mowindahako Among the Tolaki Mekongga Ethnic Group.
        Type: main
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            NameFull: Takwa
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            NameFull: Arafah, Burhanuddin
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            NameFull: Hasyim, Muhammad
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            NameFull: Akhmar, Andi Muhammmad
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            – D: 01
              M: 03
              Text: Mar2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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