Traditional Leadership and Cultural Conflict Mediation: The Case of Pandji Pragiwaksono and Rambu Solo’ in Toraja

Lisa Kurniasari Wibisono

doi:10.55606/jubima.v4i2.4490

Authors

Lisa Kurniasari Wibisono Universitas Kristen Indonesia Toraja

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55606/jubima.v4i2.4490

Keywords:

Behavioral Leadership, Contingency Theory, Cultural Conflict, Indigenous Leadership, Sustainable Dark Tourism

Abstract

This study examines Indigenous Toraja leadership as a mediator in digital era cultural conflicts, specifically addressing the controversy sparked by comedian Pandji Pragiwaksono’s 2013 stand-up material on the sacred Rambu Solo’ funeral ritual, which resurfaced in early 2026. The research aims to integrate contingency and behavioral leadership theories with Indigenous practices to develop a culturally adaptive framework for sustaining dark tourism destinations in multicultural societies. The case highlights tensions between national digital influence and local cultural values, threatening social harmony and tourism authenticity. Using a qualitative case study approach with secondary data from February 2026 events, the analysis reveals that Toraja Indigenous reconciliation effectively mediated the conflict through contingency fit applying restorative leadership suited to digital-adaptive challenges and behavioral emphasis on harmony via rituals like Ma’Buak Burun Mangkali Oto’. This multilevel process regulated distress, empowered community, and fostered mutual growth, ultimately preserving Rambu Solo’s sacredness and supporting sustainable tourism. The study’s novelty lies in synthesizing classical leadership theories with Indigenous practices in the Indonesian context, an underexplored area. Findings suggest that Indigenous leadership offers robust strategies for building learning-oriented communities and culturally sensitive tourism, enhancing social capital preservation and resilience in the face of digital-cultural conflicts.

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