Unhas Rector Prof. Dr. Dwia Aries Tina Pulubuhu, M.A. and the Pandam (Territorial Military Commander) VII Wirabuana Major General of the National Armed Forces of Indonesia, Agus Surya Bakti, accompanied by the Regent of Poso, Darmin Agustinus Sigilupu along with the entourages, were greeted by the people of Poso. The warm welcome that took place was a cultural custom known as “Pekasiwia,” during their visit to Peura Village, Pamona Puselemba District, Poso Regency, Thursday (18/8).
The “Pekasiwia” ceremonial welcoming is known as a form of respect towards visitors that traveled to Poso, based on the fundamental philosophy that guests are vital relatives that need to be respected and appreciated.
The group following the Unhas Rector and the Pandam VII Wirabuana that visited Poso to observe the Thematic Community Service of the Unified State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) Unhas-Kodam VII arrived at the Peura Village, and coincided with the greeting held by the hundreds of elementary school children, as well as the locals.
Prof. Dwia Aries Tina Pulubuhu, General Agus Surya Bati, Assistant 1 Provincial Government of Southeast Sulawesi, Poso Regent Darmin Agustinus Sigilipu, Asep Supanda (Head of Sub-Directorate for Talent Interests and Student Organizations Directorate General Belmawa, Ministry of Research, Innovation and Higher Education) and the Head of the Community Service Technical Unit Conduct, Hasrullah, welcomed warmly the cultural greetings. The guests received fabrics placed on their heads, each also was given a white chicken with yellow feet, seven eggs, rice, and sweet tasting saguer.
In the Meeting Hall of Peura Village, the Unhas group and Pandam hosted a suave greeting event with the locals. In the field of Peura Village, Unhas Rector, Pandgam, Poso Regent, and Asep Supanda planted ebony trees. During the 90-minute motorbike ride to the Pendolo Village, located in the South Pamona District, Pandam VII Wirabuana and the Unhas Rector spread fish seedlings to the Poso Lake, known as a volcanic lake with a 500-meter depth (second deepest in Indonesia after the Toba Lake).
In the Pendola Village, the group observed the conduct of the large-scale circumcision and small doctors training held by the students of the Community Service, in cooperation with the Kodam VII located in the Senior High School 2 Panoma. During night time, another suave greeting was held on the football field of Pendolo Village.
Pangdam VII Wirabuana that was accompanied by his assistants, and Unhas Rector that was accompanied by the Community Service Technical Unit Conduct, Hasrullah in the Kasiguncu Airport, were greeted by the Military Resort Commander 132 Tadulako, Colonel Infantry Mustafa, and Military District Commander 1307 Poso, Lieutenant Colonel Infantry Ryan Hanandi, S.Sos. In the Poso Regent’s office, Unhas Rector Dwia Aries Tina Pulubuhu strengthened the importance of a Memorandum of Understanding on the fields of education, research and community service with the people and Regent of Poso, Darmin Agustinus Sigilipu, witnessed by the Pangdam VII Wirabuana General Major of the National Armed Forces of Indonesia, Agus Surya Bakti, and the Assistant I of the Southeast Sulawesi Provincial Government.
