<![CDATA[This study examines the construction of social knowledge and collective memory of the Westerling Tragedy (1946–1947) among communities in South Sulawesi. It aims to analyze the construction of meanings surrounding colonial violence, the mechanisms of intergenerational memory transmission, and the relationship between collective memory and historical consciousness. The research employed a qualitative approach using oral history methods through in-depth interviews with four purposively selected informants. Data were analyzed thematically within the perspective of memory anthropology. The findings show that memories of the Westerling Tragedy are transmitted through oral traditions, family communication, and communal interaction within society. The figure of Westerling is constructed as a symbol of colonial violence and collective fear, while the figure of “40,000 victims” functions as a symbol of social suffering rather than merely historical data. In addition, oral traditions and memorial symbols play an important role in preserving colonial experiences as part of the historical consciousness of South Sulawesi society. This study demonstrates that collective memory not only reproduces historical experiences but also shapes social knowledge and community identity in postcolonial societies. ABSTRAK Penelitian ini mengkaji konstruksi pengetahuan sosial dan memori kolektif masyarakat Sulawesi Selatan terhadap Tragedi Westerling 1946–1947. Penelitian bertujuan menganalisis konstruksi makna atas kekerasan kolonial, mekanisme transmisi memori kolektif antargenerasi, serta hubungan memori kolektif dengan pembentukan kesadaran historis masyarakat. Penelitian menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan metode sejarah lisan melalui wawancara mendalam terhadap empat informan yang dipilih secara purposive. Analisis data dilakukan secara tematik dalam perspektif antropologi memori. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa memori mengenai Tragedi Westerling diwariskan melalui tradisi lisan, komunikasi keluarga, dan interaksi komunal dalam masyarakat. Sosok Westerling dikonstruksi sebagai simbol kekerasan kolonial dan ketakutan kolektif, sedangkan angka “40 ribu jiwa” dipahami sebagai simbol penderitaan sosial masyarakat, bukan sekadar data historis. Selain itu, tradisi tutur dan simbol memorial berperan dalam mempertahankan pengalaman kolonial sebagai bagian dari kesadaran historis masyarakat Sulawesi Selatan. Penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa memori kolektif tidak hanya mereproduksi pengalaman sejarah, tetapi juga membentuk pengetahuan sosial dan identitas komunitas dalam masyarakat pascakolonial. ]]>
