Rego: Cultural Reproduction and To-Kaili Identity in Sigi District, Central Sulawesi Province

Abstract

This study examines the rego tradition as a medium for cultural reproduction and the construction of ethnic identity among the To-Kaili people in Sigi Regency, Central Sulawesi. In the context of social change influenced by globalization and modernization, rego is not merely a dance but a cultural symbol containing spiritual, social, and philosophical values transmitted across generations. The aim of this study is to deeply understand how the process of cultural reproduction occurs through rego, and how its symbolic meaning contributes to the formation of the collective identity of the Kaili people. A qualitative approach using ethnographic methods was used in this study, with data collection techniques including participant observation, in-depth interviews, and document analysis. The results show that rego is maintained through the active role of families, communities, and traditional leaders as agents of cultural transmission. Furthermore, rego serves as an arena for the articulation of cultural values that reflect the relationship between humans and nature and ancestors. Rego has broad implications not only for maintaining local cultural identity but also for strengthening social cohesion, character education, and as a potential tool for cultural diplomacy at the national and global levels. Thus, rego is a cultural heritage that not only has aesthetic value, but is also strategic in maintaining the sustainability of the cultural identity of the To-Kaili people.