Sokola Kajang

This program took place in the indigenous Tana Toa community in Pangi Hamlet, Tana Toa Customary Village, Kajang District, Bulukumba Regency, South Sulawesi. The community is often referred to in literature as the Kajang or Konjo people. The leader of the Tana Toa indigenous society is called Ammatoa, supported by other leaders under him. All houses in Tana Toa are built cooperatively according to traditional rules, without the use of modern technology, not even nails or iron. Among these houses, only Ammatoa's house is made of bamboo, while the others use wood, symbolizing the simplicity of life exemplified by the leader. This simplicity is also reflected in their everyday clothing, which is typically black and, on certain occasions, white. This became one reason why the Tana Toa people were hesitant to send their children to formal schools outside their customary area, which required red-and-white uniforms. Additionally, children often helped their parents with ritual preparations or worked in the fields during planting seasons, making it difficult for them to attend formal schools regularly. The Sokola Kajang program facilitated basic and applied literacy, adjusting class schedules to fit the free time of the students, most of whom were shepherd children. Learning took place in one of the villagers' homes or on the grazing fields. Sokola also advocated to the elementary school in the Tana Toa customary area to allow students to attend school without wearing red uniforms and to provide leeway for those who missed school due to ceremonies or other customary events.