Mohiyonga hulalo Tradition in Rural Gorontalo: A Perspective of Social Change

Abstract

The Mohiyonga hulalo tradition on the night of Shawwal is a recurring social phenomenon every year in rural Gorontalo. This tradition encapsulates the deep meaning of releasing Ramadan while welcoming Eid. This tradition is slowly changing, as the presence of mass communication technology and transportation that accompany modernization. This study analyzed the meaning behind the Mohiyonga hulalo tradition in rural Gorontalo. Besides, this study also described how aspects of technology like music, loudspeakers, tape, VCD player, and android are part of the liveliness of the Mohiyonga hulalo tradition as well as being the cause of waning community traditions in rural Gorontalo. This study used a qualitative approach with ethnographic methods. Observations were carried out in a participatory manner, deepened by interviews with village elders and young activists of this tradition. Data analysis was carried out qualitatively. The study found that the Mohiyonga hulalo tradition contained psychological meaning and spiritual meaning. Psychologically it is as momentum channeling emotions of sadness and fear of God. Meanwhile, spirituality means a momentum of repentance by acknowledging mistakes. The presence of mass communication and transportation technology has changed the Mohiyonga hulalo tradition held in the mosque to move to the streets, then fade. Changes in this element affect patterns of behavior, especially in social interaction.