<![CDATA[Abstract This study examines the government system of the Buton Sultanate through the lens of Sarana Wolio, focusing on its institutional structure, leadership preparation and recruitment, deliberative processes, and oversight of government administration. It adopts a qualitative approach with a descriptive-interpretive design and was conducted in Baubau City, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, observation, and documentation. Informants were purposively selected based on their knowledge of and involvement in the history, customary practices, and institutions of the Buton Sultanate. Data were analyzed through organization, thematic categorization, presentation, and interpretation. The findings reveal that the government system of the Buton Sultanate is supported by an institutional structure linking Sarana Wolio with Pangka, Siolimbona, Sarana Hukumu, and other governing bodies. Leadership preparation involves regeneration and familiarization with customary practices and governance, while leaders are selected through established institutional mechanisms. Deliberation plays a central role in decision-making, while Siolimbona serves an oversight function. These findings highlight the relevance of Sarana Wolio as an analytical framework for understanding interinstitutional relations, the distribution of authority, leadership, deliberation, and oversight within the government system of the Buton Sultanate. This study contributes to the fields of governance, local politics, and traditional institutional studies. It also provides a basis for further research on customary-based governance and the relationship between customary norms and religious values. Furthermore, digital documentation and archiving offer opportunities to preserve and promote the use of the Buton Sultanate’s institutional knowledge for educational and research purposes.]]>
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