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Abstract
Cultured societies maintain language as part of their identity and self-reflection. Bugis is one of the tribes that inhabit the southern part of the island of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Bugis people use language not only as a means of interaction but also as a tool to pass on advice, values and local thoughts. Bugis people live by oral traditions that are expressed repeatedly in various situations until they become the collective property of the community. In addition to conveying advice, oral traditions can in fact describe the cognitive system of the community. Cognitive system influences people's behavior and perspective. The cognitive system of the community is important to be revealed again so that it can be used as a medium of education and reflection for the younger generation. This study aims to identify the cognitive system of Bugis society through traditional proverbs that are still used today. This research uses a descriptive qualitative approach with literary anthropology theory. Literary anthropology focuses on revealing cultural and human elements in literature, especially oral literature. Based on data analysis, this study found that the cognitive system of the Bugis community is strongly influenced by the state and workings of the natural environment, so the use of language is very metaphorical. In addition, Bugis thinking focuses on problem solving and visionary. Lastly, Bugis people have a reflective thinking system as a way to maintain their muruah.