Tolaki

Tolaki refers to an indigenous ethnic group of Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. The Tolaki people primarily inhabit the coastal and inland areas of Kendari, Konawe, Kolaka, and surrounding districts. They speak the Tolaki language, part of the Austronesian language family and the Celebic subgroup; Indonesian is widely used as a lingua franca in daily life and education.

Socially, Tolaki communities are organized around kinship ties and customary law known as adat, which governs marriage, inheritance, and communal rituals. Many Tolaki identify as Muslim, while traditional beliefs and practices persist in some communities alongside Islam.

Cultural life includes traditional music, dances, and crafts; clothing varies by locality, often reflecting a blend of indigenous styles and contemporary Indonesian dress. Ceremonial events such as weddings and rites feature adat rituals, music, and festive meals.

Today, Tolaki identity is maintained through language, customary practices, and regional cultural expressions; efforts exist to preserve the Tolaki language and cultural heritage amid Indonesian-wide education and media.