In South Sulawesi’s Segeri village, the bissu—priests who embody both male and female qualities—lead an annual pre‑planting ceremony that links the community to the spiritual realm. Their role as mediators between earth and sky shapes local identity and draws attention from cultural tourists seeking authentic rituals. International NGOs have cited the event as a model for safeguarding intangible heritage, urging funding for documentation.

The November procession features a sacred plow carried aloft, symbolizing fertility and the community’s dependence on rice yields. Farmers follow the bissu, chanting prayers that invoke ancestral blessings. Anthropologists note that the ceremony reinforces communal bonds and supports the local economy, as visitors purchase handcrafted offerings and stay in homestays, injecting modest revenue into the village. The procession draws regional media attention.

Tour operators have begun packaging the Segeri ceremony into niche cultural tours, charging $150 per participant and promising immersive experiences. While the influx boosts lodging occupancy by 20 percent during the planting window, local leaders warn that commercialization could dilute the ritual’s sacred meaning. Authorities therefore balance promotion with protections to preserve the bissu’s traditional authority. Stakeholders monitor visitor numbers closely.