Maritime Culture of Bantik Ethnic Group From North Sulawesi, Indonesia

Indonesia is well known as an archipelagic country on the equator with a huge population and diverse cultures where up to 70% of its area constitutes a maritime continent. This study investigates the maritime culture of Indonesia, a nation comprising 16,771 islands, 1,331 ethnicities, and 4,735 coastal villages, with a particular focus on the Bantik Ethnic Group in North Sulawesi Province. The primary objective of this study is to identify and document maritime cultural elements and local knowledge of the Bantik group, alongside assessing their past and current status. Employing a descriptive analysis through thematic coding of data collected via focus group discussions (FGD), in-depth interviews, field observations, and document analysis, the study reveals that the Bantik has a rich maritime culture rooted in agrarian coastal life and historical ocean connections. However, urbanization poses significant threats to their traditional practices and language, while rural Bantik communities remain largely unaffected by these changes. This research underscores the importance of preserving the Bantik's intrinsic cultural values amidst modern challenges.