Toraya Maelo (Suatu Studi tentang Wisata Budaya di Ke’te’ Kesu’ Kecamatan Kesu’ Kabupaten Toraja Utara)

Abstract

The lack of utilization of the potential of tradition and culture at the Ke'te 'Kesu' tourist attraction is
one of the factors for the author to review what cultural potential can be utilized in cultural tourism at
that location as an effort to improve the local economy of the local community. By harmonizing
between ethnic uniqueness that becomes tourism potential and regional local wisdom, it will have an
impact on community welfare. The purpose of this study is to describe the potential of toraya maelo
local wisdom in increasing community income through Ke'te' Kesu' tourist attraction in Kesu'
District, North Toraja Regency. The research used qualitative method. The results showed that the
potential of toraya maelo local wisdom in Ke'te' Kesu' tourist attraction consists of physical potential
and non-physical potential. Physical potential is the potential in the form of real objects such as
Toraja traditional houses (tongkonan), rice barns (alang), funeral ceremonies (rante), museums that
have items aged tens to hundreds of years, graves or burial places in the form of stone caves and
cliffs. While non-physical potential is potential that is not in the form of objects, non-physical
potential tends to be in the form of words, behavior and actions both by individuals and groups that
contain elements of local wisdom toraya maelo in the Ke'te 'Kesu' tourist attraction area where it can
provide value and a good image for the Toraja people.