Knowledge and Behavioral Habits Regarding Nature and the Universe which is included in the intangible heritage in Gorontalo is Bantayo Poboide.
Figure 1. Bantayo Poboide physically.
Bantayo Poboide from its name consists of the words bantayo which means ward, hall, and poboide which means to speak. Physically Bantayo Poboide can be seen in the form of a building or a hall for gathering and deliberation. However, in terms of Bantayo Poboide it can mean a government organization in the form of a council which is often also referred to as a royal council. Thus, Bantayo Poboide is a ward or hall to discuss various issues regarding an organized country, its position above the king, has legal force, is independent, is not related to politics, only works for the welfare of the country, and builds the morality of leaders in accordance with customs and traditions.
Figure 2. Bantayo Poboide in terms can be interpreted as a government organization.
In the ancient Gorontalo government system, there were two kinds of Bantayo Poboide. First, Bantayo Poboide lo Lipu or the Royal People's Council which is located at the center of the district/city government. Second, Bantayo Poboide lo Linula or the District People's Council which is located at the center of the sub-district government. The legal basis for the establishment of Bantayo Poboide cannot be found in the law as seen in the current national government system, but must be seen from the historical point of view of the formation of Linula or Lipu.
Bantayo Poboide was formed based on a mutual agreement (iloheluma), through negotiations with 17 kings in Padengo Bo'idu (a field or a place to talk) in the Tapa area with traditional leaders, community leaders and syarak officials. The negotiations resulted in 3 government implementation decisions consisting of:
- The Wombu and Dile factions who lead the government
- The Tiyombu group consisting of Baates who are mandated as holders of customary power and customary law
- Tilo Tiyamo group who is the representative of the people.
The three powers in the government were lifted from the philosophy of power with the slogan Datahu lo Huntu Hu'idu which means the king's power comes from his people and this means that the greatness of the king lies in the support of his people. The members of Bantayo Poboide functioned as Ulil Amri Minkum. Bantayo Poboide is like a human without lust, does not need anything, has no ambition, makes rules solely for the public interest.
Figure 3. Physically, Bantayo Poboide is divided into pillars, stairs, and rooms.
Figure 4. One of the rooms inside Bantayo Poboide.
Physically Bantayo Poboide stands as a building consisting of several meaningful and useful components, including poles, stairs and rooms. The pillars serve as the foundation and support of the building. There are three types of poles, namely 2 main pillars or in the Gorontalo language called wolihi and 6 poles in the front porch and 32 basic pillars which in Gorontalo language are called potu. The stairs on the left and right of the building each consist of 8 steps, as a symbol of the 8 small kingdoms (linula). The room is divided into three main parts, namely the porch (sulambe and palepelo), the duledehu which consists of a room for receiving guests, a meeting place, a relaxing room, as well as a multi-purpose room and huwali (bedrooms).