Mapalus (Daniel Adipranata, Maret 2012)

 

MAPALUS 28th Citizenship Education Tomohon, 28th – 29th February 2012

Mapalus is a form of cooperation for mutual benefit in Minahasa tribal culture. Mapalus is a social capital that is based on the local wisdom of the Minahasa community. Mapalus is a traditional form of mutual assistance which has a fundamental difference with other modern forms such as clubs or business associations.

The main purpose of Mapalus is to urge mankind and the community to promote the welfare of the individuals and groups within the community with full awareness and responsibility. Mapalus is the basic essence of life and activities of the Minahasa people who have a calling based on the fundamental sincerity of having a good conscience.

Mapalus as a working system has values such as reciprocity, participation, solidarity, responsibility, mutual cooperation, discipline, transparency, equality and mutual trust.

Mapalus forms the family, religion, unity and integrity. Form of Mapalus includes: Mapalus farmers, Mapalus fishermen, Mapalus money, Mapalus grief and martial assistance and Mapalus community groups.

At bumi Minahasa, on the 28th-29th February 2012, the team from Institut Leimena (Matius Ho, Daniel Adipranata and Santhy Chamdra) held the 28th Citizenship Education along with the Synod of the Evangelical Christian Church of Minahasa (GMIM). The event was held at the GMIM church “Immanuel”, Tomohon, North Sulawesi. The session lasted 2 days and was attended by about 50 people from Tomohon, consisting of the church minister, a few leaders of GMIM and GMIM youth activists.

The citizenship Education program was official opened by the vice chairman of the BPMS Cooperation Relations GMIM Synod, Rev. Roy Tamaweol. In his opening address, Rev. Roy stressed the importance of church members in taking an active role and being involved constructively in the building of the nation. The unique part of this citizenship education program was that the whole event was held in the context of worship. The event began with worship service and on the next day, at the end of the Citizenship Education, the service was closed. Rev. Decky Lolowang, Chairman of the Church Synod of Am (SAG) Suluttenggo, was given the opportunity to close this 28th Citizenship Education Program officially.

A few comments from the attendees:

“built a stronger sense of nationalism; Brought to light the roles and responsibility as a citizen, that cannot be separated from ministry and witness service” (Rev. Sophia Rau, Jemaat Syalom, Tomohon)

“Critiqued every product of the laws and government regulations especially for the provincial districts, and built room for citizenship discussion in the place where we serve” (Rev. Petra D.E.F. Rau, GMIM Tomohon)