Sompe’ Tradition

Sompe’ is an activity where someone leaves their hometown to another place for finding a better life. Sompe’ is come from Bugis words, which mean “leave”, and usually the purpose of leave their hometown is to prove that they are all already autonomous. This philosophy became a tradition for Bugis people. Even the history said that people in Bugis had been sailed the sea since centuries ago. And even they sailed with Phinisi boat. Bugis sailors able to sail through Pasific Ocean to Vancouher, Canada. The braveness of Bugis sailor was very amazing. The ones who doing sompe is called as pasompe.

To support their activities in the sea, they made quite a reliable means of transportation. The name is Phinisi ship, the type of sailing ship that made of wood but has a great ability to sail. Pinisi ship able to sail the ocean and across high wave in the middle of the sea. Until now Phinisi ship produces in Tanah Beru, Bulukumba.

Factors.

Sompe is the part or the way of Bugis’s life that it can’t be separate to Bugis people. Because they have the spirit of sompe, we can see them in many provinces in Indonesia, such as, Yogyakarta, Bali, Aceh, Papua, Kalimantan, Singapura, Malaysia, and even South Africa. In the country of Nelson Mandela, exist a group of people from Bugis Makasar and the major religion in that place are muslim. Shekh Yusuf is a theologician from south Sulawesi that ever spread Islam to South Africa.

According to Bugis people, there are three factors for doing sompe. The first is because the economy factor. Generally, Bugis people made this as a factor of sompe. They leave their hometown and live in another place across the sea to get a better life. They leave their hometown when they think live in their hometown is not good. With this reason, we are able to see people from Bugis in our provinces.

The second factor is because the desire of knowledge. There are many people in Bugis leaves their hometown to seek knowledge in another place. There is an ancient aphorism who said “Tuntutlah ilmu sampai ke negeri China” which means “You have to seek knowledge until China”. Because of this philosophy that already in their heart, They are willing to seek knowledge as far as they can, even until China. Knowledge is the basic need for every individuals, moreover for adults. This is an obligation criteria for Bugis people. Because they will become a role model in Bugis society, one of them is macca (smart), besides that they also must be sogi (have much money), pandrita (Theologician who has knowledge of religion)

The third is siri’ or pride. The meaning of siri’  here is the lost of siri’ or pride. It’s well known as tabbe siri. The ones who break the regulations or norms in society, and they will got customary punishments like dippopangi tanah or evicted from village or hometown. As a result, the ones who tabbe siri’ must leave their hometown and go sompe’. Usually, the cases of tabbe siri’ is because women problems, for example there is a man who impregnates  before marriage and also Cheats to another woman and etc. the doer will be evicted from their hometown. Meanwhile in the side of victim or women, will leave their hometown because of shame. They are reputed as a person who cannot keep their pride.

The philosophy of Sompe’.

According to George Junus Aditjondro, the writer of kontroversial Gurita Cikeas book. He said that Bugis people are discipline for work, and very honor to keep their pride. They are embrace the philosophy of life that honor the three freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of trying, and freedom reside. If one of them, two, or even three of freedom was undermined by the governor, they better move, rather than live under oppression. And when they live in another place, they need to learn the philosophy of Tellu Cappa. Tellu Cappa means Three Tops, first is Cappa Lila or the top of tongue. This part is needed for diplomat with a good way and well mannered to adapt for new environment. People get appreciation from the way they speak. The second top is Cappa Kawali or the top of Badik. Badik is a sharp weapon like keris(wavy souble-bladed dagger) as a complement for Bugis-man. Badik is a symbol of man's left rib that lost because created Eve for Adam. Without Badik, the man is not complete as a man. Beside as a symbol, actually badik has philosophy as a tool for keep their pride or siri’. And the last top or cappa is the top of the genitals or Cappa Teme. It is the basic need for man. Usually before leaving their hometown, especially for unmarried one, they will get a lesson regarded to this last cappa. The lesson is do not sheathed this weapon at random sheath, or hang around at several sheath. The philosophy of this cappa, actually this is means to give a good generation in the country where they live or adapt to society in the country through a wedding. In short, this last cappa is to be careful for choosing a wive.