Abstract:
One of the main factors causing social change isconflict. Inthe Tolotang Benteng Community,thechanges that
occurred were inseparable from the conflicts that plagued them. The conflict that took place between 2002 and
2007 was triggered by the community's rejection of mining in the area, which is located in South Sulawesi
Province. Realising this phenomenon, the researcher wanted to investigate the social changes that occurred
after theconflictinthe TolotangBentengCommunity. Inthisresearch,therearetwo problemformulationstobe
answered: (i) How was the community life of Tolotang Benteng Community in four districts/cities, namely
Sidrap, Pinrang, Pare-Pare, and Makassar, before the conflict? and (ii) What aspects have changed after the
conflict in Tolotang Benteng Community? The objectives of this study are to (i) describe the form of community
life of TolotangBentengCommunityinSouth Sulawesi Provincebeforethe conflict,and (ii)identify aspectsthat have
changed after the conflict. This research uses a descriptive qualitative approach with data collection techniques
including observation, in-depth interviews, documentation, and triangulation. The results showed that there
have been significant changes in the Tolotang community after the conflict, with impacts that tend to be positive.
The following are some of the changes seen in the Tolotang Benteng Community: (i) There is a strengthening of
solidarity and cohesiveness in the community, which covers four districts/cities: Sidrap, Pinrang, Pare-Pare,
and Makassar. This is reflected in the increasing spirit of mutual aid and cooperation among community
members.(ii)The emergenceofvariousalliancesbetween the Tolotangcommunity andother communities, such as
the Sui and Nai communities. (iii) Active involvement of the Tolotang community in receiving information and
participating in decision-making by the government, especially in South Sulawesi Province. (iv) Community
participation in providing ideas to the government of South Sulawesi Province. In addition, changes are also
evident in the mindset, behaviour, and social structure within the Tolotang Benteng community.
