MOLUBINGO TRADITION: THE SACRED OF FEMALE CIRCUMCISION ON ISLAMIC RITUAL PRACTICE, TRADITION, AND POWER IN GORONTALO, INDONESIA

The practice of female circumcision is widely recognised across many regions, notwithstanding the ongoing debate and controversy surrounding it. Similarly, in Indonesia, this contentious issue encompasses various concerns regarding religion, tradition, law, and human rights, including women’s rights, gender dynamics, as well as reproductive health and sexuality. This article concentrates on Gorontalo, Indonesia, examining the discussion on female circumcision, especially investigating its link to the sacredness of religious rituals and traditions, as well as the impact of power dynamics that sustain this traditional practice as a seemingly natural phenomenon. Through Michel Foucault’s theory of normalization in power discourse, it dissects the factors sustaining this controversial tradition. Research methods included field observations and literature studies. The findings elucidate that female circumcision in Gorontalo not only elucidates aspects of religion and tradition but also unveils the power relations underpinning the perpetuation of this practice within the sociocultural fabric of Gorontalo society.