Bannada Cultural Village

Historical Roots and the Philosophy of "Sansiotte Sampate-pate"

Bannada Cultural Village is known as the seat of the highest customary leaders in Talaud. The foundation of community life here is based on the philosophy of Sansiotte Sampate-pate, which signifies the spirit of togetherness, unity, and mutual cooperation within a close-knit family bond. In this cultural center, these values are not just slogans but are implemented in community governance regulated by a customary institution called Ratung Banua.

Bannada's uniqueness lies in its status as a sacred village according to local beliefs. This bestows a moral responsibility upon its residents to preserve the purity of tradition from destructive modern influences. Here, customary law is still highly upheld, governing all aspects from forest management, social interactions, to religious ceremonies and oral traditions.

Preservation of Traditional Arts and Customary Rituals

Bannada's cultural center is a stage for various performances rich in spiritual meaning. One of the most prominent is the Baris dance, a war dance symbolizing the courage and readiness of Talaud men to protect their homeland. Unlike similar dances in other regions, the Baris in Bannada has more rhythmic and firm movements, accompanied by the beat of Gong and Tambur music, which are said to summon the spirits of the ancestors.

In addition, there is the Ampa Wayer dance, a social dance reflecting joy and social harmony. During every major celebration, the community gathers to dance Ampa Wayer as a form of gratitude for the harvest or the success of village development.

Language is also a primary pillar in Bannada Cultural Village. While many regional languages are fading, Bannada remains steadfast in using the ancient Talaud dialect in official ceremonies. Oral traditions like Sasambo—a vocal group art form containing prayers, advice, and history—continue to be chanted, ensuring that the narrative of ancestral history is not broken amidst the onslaught of popular culture.

Traditional Crafts and Abaca Banana Fiber Weaving

One of the most specific and proud aspects of Bannada Cultural Village is the preservation of handicrafts, especially the processing of Abaca banana fiber, locally known as Kofo fiber. In the past, Kofo fabric was a primary commodity and the ceremonial attire of Talaud nobility.

In this Cultural Village, female artisans (especially mothers) are involved in the Kofo weaving revitalization program. The process is very intricate, starting from extracting the fiber from the banana stem, cleaning, drying, to spinning it into yarn and weaving it using a non-machine loom (ATBM). The motifs produced are usually inspired by the surrounding nature, such as fish scale motifs, flowers, and geometric symbols representing social strata. This program not only preserves craft art but also provides a creative economic impact for the local community.

Education Programs and Community Involvement

As a cultural center, Bannada Cultural Village integrates informal customary-based education for the younger generation. The "Customary School" program is run sporadically but consistently by the village elders (Inangu Wanua). Here, young people are taught about family lineage, etiquette in communicating with elders, and knowledge about medicinal plants found in the surrounding forests.

Community involvement is also evident in the maintenance of the still-standing traditional houses. The community collectively cares for these buildings as part of their identity. Education on disaster mitigation based on local wisdom is also taught, considering Talaud's geographical location on the ring of fire and its direct border with the open sea.

Festivals and Major Cultural Events

The peak of cultural activities in Bannada Cultural Village is reflected in the execution of the Mane'e ceremony. Although Mane'e is generally performed in several places in Talaud (such as on Kakorotan Island), the Bannada community plays a central role in determining the timing of its implementation based on traditional astronomical observations and natural signs.

Mane'e is a traditional fish-catching ritual using woven coconut fronds that are pulled ashore. The ritual begins with prayers in the ancient Talaud language and self-purification. The main value of Mane'e is obedience to nature; there are specific periods (Eha) when the community is forbidden from taking marine products so that the ecosystem can regenerate. Adherence to Eha is what makes Bannada Cultural Village a model for sustainable natural resource management.

Besides Mane'e, there is the Tulude celebration, a thanksgiving ceremony for God's guidance throughout the past year and a plea for blessings for the new year. In this festival, traditional food offerings such as bamboo rice and processed seafood are served abundantly for all residents and guests to enjoy together.

Role in Regional Cultural Development

Bannada Cultural Village serves as an anchor for the collective identity of the Talaud Islands community. Amidst the currents of globalization, Bannada instills confidence in Talaud residents that they possess a noble civilization recognized nationally. The Provincial Government of North Sulawesi and the Talaud Regency often use Bannada as a cultural laboratory for anthropological and historical research.

Conservation efforts in Bannada also include documenting artifacts and historical sites. Around the village, there are ancient graves and megalithic relics preserved as part of the cultural heritage sites. The village layout, which maintains a traditional ambiance—despite touches of modernity—makes Bannada an educational cultural tourism destination.

Challenges and Future Hopes

Despite its strong traditional foundation, Bannada Cultural Village faces challenges such as the migration of young people to big cities and the penetration of digital technology. Therefore, the development of this Cultural Village is directed towards the concept of "Digitalization of Tradition." Young generations are being invited to document customary rituals in video and photo formats to be shared on social media, as a way to promote tourism and archive their culture digitally.

The government continues to encourage collaboration between Bannada's customary institutions and the tourism sector so that these cultural values can provide economic welfare without damaging the sacredness of the tradition itself. By maintaining the purity of custom and openness to positive innovation, Bannada Cultural Village remains steadfast as a cultural beacon on Indonesia's northern border.

Bannada Cultural Village is not just a place to visit, but a living space where the past and future meet in harmony. Through consistent preservation of art, crafts, and customary law, Bannada proves that the noble identity of the Indonesian nation is rooted in the farthest villages that guard their traditions with full love and honor.