Local Culture’s Role in Disaster Communication in Hutadaa Village, Gorontalo Regency

Abstract

This study examines disaster communication in Hutadaa Village, Gorontalo Regency, and the role of local cultural practices in sharing information and organizing collective responses. It uses a descriptive qualitative approach. Eight purposively selected informants comprised one officer from the Gorontalo Regency disaster management agency, three village officials, one customary leader, and three community members. Data were collected primarily through semi-structured interviews and analyzed through transcription, reduction, coding, categorization, theme development, and interpretation. The findings indicate that the village lacks a structured formal disaster communication procedure. Information and assistance are instead coordinated through interpersonal networks and trusted local figures. Huyula and ti’ayo support cooperation and mutual aid; dulohupa and heluma are associated with deliberation; and mopomulo and motoliango reflect togetherness and care. Local environmental knowledge also informs communication about perceived hazards. These findings suggest that living cultural practices can support community communication, while their integration into village procedures remains limited. Institutional integration is proposed as an implication of the findings; its effectiveness was not tested in this study.