Dulohupa Traditional House

Exploring the Traces of Hulontalo Civilization at Dulohupa Traditional House

Dulohupa Traditional House is more than just a majestic wooden building standing in the heart of Gorontalo City. Located in Limba U2 Village, South City District, this structure is a physical representation of the Gorontalo people's philosophy of life, based on Islamic Sharia and local customs. As a cultural center, Dulohupa plays a crucial role as the guardian of tradition amidst the increasingly strong currents of modernity.

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Architecture with Soul: The Philosophy Behind the Structure

Etymologically, "Dulohupa" means "Consensus." This name reflects the building's primary function as a place for deliberation for the rulers of the Gorontalo kingdom in the past. Its stilt house architecture with a saddle roof holds deep meaning. The stairs on the left and right sides of the building symbolize the entry points for external influences that must be filtered through custom.

The pillars supporting this building are not arbitrary in number. There are main pillars symbolizing the pillars of community life, while the number of steps usually symbolizes the pillars of faith or pillars of Islam, emphasizing the principle of "Adat bersendikan Syara’, Syara’ bersendikan Kitabullah" (Custom is based on Sharia, Sharia is based on the Book of Allah). Inside the spacious main hall, the absence of permanent partitions symbolizes openness and transparency in collective decision-making.

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Center for Traditional Performing Arts Preservation

As a Cultural Center, Dulohupa Traditional House serves as the main stage for various Gorontalo arts. One of the flagship regular programs is the practice and performance of Tari Polo-Palo. This social dance uses bamboo string instruments that produce unique sounds. Here, the younger generation is taught not only the movements but also the philosophy of togetherness contained within it.

In addition, Dulohupa periodically holds performances of Tari Dana-Dana. This dance has a strong influence from Middle Eastern culture that has assimilated with local culture, usually accompanied by gambus and rebana instruments. Visitors can often witness the Dikili procession, a rhythmic zikr tradition performed during the Prophet Muhammad's birthday celebrations, which shows how closely art and spirituality are intertwined in Gorontalo.

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Craft Workshop and Cultural Literacy

In the area surrounding the Dulohupa complex, there are continuous efforts to preserve distinctive handicrafts. One of the most prominent is Sulam Karawo. Craftsmen often gather here to demonstrate the intricate process of "slicing" and "pulling" fabric threads before embroidering them back with beautiful motifs. Dulohupa functions as both a showcase and an educational place for tourists and locals to understand why Karawo holds high economic and philosophical value.

Educational programs also include an introduction to Bili’u and Makuta Traditional Attire. In this cultural center, traditional wedding attire is displayed along with explanations of each element—such as Alhuwa (head jewelry) and Paya-Paya—each representing the moral responsibilities of a leader and a homemaker.

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Educational Programs and Community Engagement

Dulohupa Traditional House actively organizes "Culture Classes" for students. This program includes training in the Gorontalo regional language, which is rarely used by Generation Z. Local literary communities also frequently use this place to recite Tuja’i, traditional poems containing praise, advice, or prayers delivered in ancient Gorontalo language without musical accompaniment.

Community involvement does not stop at the arts. Dulohupa serves as a social laboratory where customary leaders (Bate) interact with academics and youth. Discussions on customary law (Adat lo Hulontalo) are often held to ensure that unwritten rules regarding etiquette, marriage, and funerals are still understood by the urban community.

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Festival and Sacred Ceremony Events

Throughout the year, Dulohupa becomes the focal point for various large-scale cultural festivals. One of them is the internationally acclaimed Karawo Festival. However, more local and sacred are the Mandi Safar ceremony or the Mopotilolo ritual. Mopotilolo is a welcoming ceremony for honored guests visiting Gorontalo, where Dulohupa Traditional House becomes the venue for the procession of bestowing customary titles or official honors.

During the celebration of Gorontalo Province's or Gorontalo City's Anniversary, Dulohupa transforms into a traditional culinary festival center. Here, visitors can taste Binasari, Ilabulo, and Binuanggi served traditionally, providing a complete sensory experience of Gorontalo's rich heritage.

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Role in Local Cultural Development

Dulohupa Traditional House acts as a "Cultural Compass." Amidst the onslaught of pop culture, this cultural center ensures that Gorontalo's visual identity and moral values remain steadfast. Its existence encourages local governments to continue researching and documenting the history of Gorontalo's kingdoms, such as the Gorontalo Kingdom and the Limboto Kingdom.

Economically, Dulohupa has a significant impact on creative industry players. By making it a primary cultural tourism destination, local artisans, dancers, and tour guides gain a platform to promote their skills. This creates an ecosystem where culture is not only preserved as an inanimate object but as a living and prosperous entity.

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Conservation Efforts and Future Challenges

The physical preservation of the building is a top priority. Given that most of the structure is made of high-quality wood (such as nani wood or ironwood), regular maintenance is carried out to ensure resistance to termites and humid tropical weather. In addition to physical conservation, the digitalization of cultural data has also begun to be pioneered at this center. Audio recordings of Tuja'i and video tutorials of Tari Saronde are now being collected to be archived digitally so they are not lost to time.

The biggest challenge is how to attract the interest of the younger generation so they do not consider Dulohupa a "boring old museum." Therefore, the management has begun integrating technology such as QR Codes containing historical information at every corner of the building and providing aesthetically pleasing spots for social media content needs, without diminishing the sacredness of the place.

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Conclusion: The Beating Heart of Gorontalo

Dulohupa Traditional House is the soul of Gorontalo. It is a bridge connecting a glorious past with an uncertain future. As a cultural center, Dulohupa has successfully proven that consensus (as its name suggests) between tradition and modernity is the key to a nation's sustainability. Through every dance performed, every fabric embroidered, and every deliberation held under its roof, Dulohupa continues to ensure that the character of the Gorontalo people—religious, civilized, and wise—remains preserved forever.