Gorontalese

a people of Indonesia.

The Gorontalese inhabit the northern part of the island of Sulawesi on the Minahassa peninsula and number about 500,000 (1967 census). The language of the Gorontalese, which is divided into several dialects, is classed among Indonesian languages, but it has many features typifying Philippine languages. Their religion is Islam with strong surviving traces of ancient pre-Islamic beliefs. The principal occupations of the Gorontalese are agriculture (rice, corn, and coconut and sago palms) and animal husbandry (cattle, other livestock, and horses). Braiding and weaving are well developed.