I created Bicaranna Ana Loloe because many Bugis children in Wajo, South Sulawesi struggled to read the Qur'an correctly. They felt Arabic was foreign and difficult. I saw they learned fast when using their mother tongue, Bugis. I wanted to save our Lontara script and help Ana Loloe (small children) love the Qur'an. This method bridges their identity as Bugis people with their identity as Muslims. Learning becomes easy, fun, and not scary. The goal is Tahsin Fashohah in 40 hours for everyone.
In practice, Bicaranna Ana Loloe uses Bugis Lontara symbols to represent Arabic Makharijul Huruf. For example, a difficult Arabic sound is linked to a familiar Bugis word and symbol. Children aged 5-12 learn through play, storytelling, and visual cards in small halaqah. In 40 hours, divided into 5 levels, a child who could not read can read with correct Tajweed and Fashohah. No expensive technology needed, only printed books and cards made by teachers. The class is in local language, warm and culturally relevant.
It started in my small Tahsin class in Wajo in 2023 with 10 students. Parents saw results fast and shared via WhatsApp groups. Now it is used in 3 TPA/TK in Parepare and Wajo with over 150 children. I train local ustadzah for free with my guidebook. We spread through community mosques and mothers' groups, not social media ads. The demand is growing because it is low-cost, local wisdom-based, and proven effective for Ana Loloe.
Initially I only used oral Bugis translation. After feedback from students, I added visual Lontara symbols and color-coded cards. I also added Bugis folk stories to explain the meaning of Hijaiyah letters, so children remember longer. Now I am creating a simple workbook for parents to teach at home.
It is very easy to try. 1. Contact me for the free Bicaranna Ana Loloe teacher guidebook (PDF). 2. Learn the 28 Lontara-Arabic mapping in a 2-hour online training I provide via WhatsApp. 3. Start with 5 children using printed cards. No license fee. I only ask to keep the Bugis culture and correct Tajweed as the core principle. You can adapt the Bugis words to your own local language.
