Balantak, Sulawesi



Balantak is a district in the Banggai regency, Sulawesi, Indonesia. The Balantak people speak the Balantak language. As of 1982, there were an estimate 30,000 Balantak, spread over several districts (the population of Balantak District itself was only 5,966 at the 2020 Census). Traditionally they lived in rectangular houses on stilts over swidden fields. They raised fowl, goats, rice, yams, taro, and millet. The district was described in 1682 as being part of the Banggai Kingdom. Administration was via local chiefs and the Ternate Sultanate. Ancestor worship has been a feature of their traditional religion and Christianity and Islam have been influential since the turn of the 20th century.