Balia, a Healing Tradition among the Kaili People of Indonesia
A Biblical Response
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19232104 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Agustinus Depparua (0009-0009-9859-9747, Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Injili Indonesia Palu), Yewin Tjandra (0009-0001-4447-7340, Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Injili Indonesia Palu), Pieter G O Sunkudon (0009-0001-4850-7690, Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Injili Indonesia Palu) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 82 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Publication date | 2026-03-28 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0259-9422 • E-ISSN: 2072-8050 |
| Publisher | AOSIS (PUBLISHER • ZA) |
| DOI | 10.4102/hts.v82i1.11324 |
| OpenAlex | W7141022824 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 19 |
The Balia healing tradition remains a significant cultural and spiritual practice among the Kaili people of Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, including within Christian communities. More than a form of traditional medicine, Balia functions as an integrated cultural system that interprets illness as moral and relational disruption, mobilises communal participation and operates within a spiritually populated cosmology. This article employs a qualitative, literature-based theological approach informed by contextual theology to examine Balia and its implications for Christian faith. The analysis identifies three key findings: Balia shapes moral reasoning and communal responses to suffering; the authority of the balian represents a competing structure of spiritual mediation, and the persistence of Balia among Christians reflects deeper challenges in theological formation and pastoral presence rather than conscious doctrinal rejection. Contribution: Through biblical-theological evaluation, the study argues that the central issue posed by Balia lies in its attribution of spiritual agency and authority, not in its holistic concern for healing. By moving beyond functional equivalence, the article proposes a contextually sensitive yet theologically discerning pastoral response, contributing to broader discussions on Christianity and indigenous healing practices
Attribution · Christianity · Indigenous · Moral agency · Spirituality · Asian Studies and History · Contemporary Christian Leadership and Education · Cultural and Religious Practices in Indonesia
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| Highly cited | No |
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