Dishes and utensils used in sacrificial rites of the Trans-Kama Udmurts (functional and symbolic meaning)

Introduction. The article considers the variety and functions of dishes and utensils used at the sacrificial rituals of Trans-Kama “pagans” Udmurts from the Republic of Bashkortostan and Perm Krai. This is the first attempt of using extensive field and archival materials for the research purposes. Materials and Methods. The material for the study represents the published and archival sources, ethnographic information collected the authors during many years of field research. The analysis of materials was carried out using a comparative-historical method. The article takes into account the theoretical approaches of the semiotic school in ethnology. Results and Discussion. In the object world of Udmurt sacrifices, a special place is occupied by dishes and utensils. Without them the ritual process involving the preparation of food and a joint meal is impossible. Various dishes (cauldrons, troughs, buckets, bowls, spoons, ladles, etc.) are used for their utilitarian purpose (cooking, storage, transportation, eating food, etc.) but inclusion in the ritual process endows them with symbolic functions. Conclusion. Dishes and utensils used at the sacrifices of the Trans-Kama Udmurts are still endowed with a high sacred status. The number, composition and methods of using ritual utensils have remained traditional but their forms, material and manufacturing method have changed. As before, in addition to being used for utilitarian purposes they are endowed with many symbolic functions.

Tradisi Buru Babi Masyarakat Minangkabau: Proses, Makna, dan Drama Sosial

Pig hunting in Minangkabau is a rite of passage which is carried out in a gradual ritual process. The rite of pig hunting is a sign that involves various social aspects of the community, including economy, religion, and culture. There are two questions to be answered in this research. Firstly, what is the meaning of the rite in the society and, secondly, how does the community's traditional pig hunting construct a social drama. To answer those questions, the author uses Victor Turner's ritual theory and Max Weber's theory of social drama. The results of this study indicate two main things. First, the pig hunting, which was originally an attempt to eliminate pests, later developed into a social drama. The rite of hunting as a social drama has four functions, namely (1) eliminating conflict; (2) limiting divisions and building community solidarity; (3) unites two opposing principles; and (4) provides new strength and motivation to live in everyday society. Second, as a social drama, the tradition forms a social construction. In this social process, there are four phases of social drama, (1) violation of social norms which invites the community to unite in eradicating pests; (2) wild pests pose a real threat, which can make the life of the farming community miserable (crisis) so that the community unites and holds various ceremonies to prepare for the implementation of hunting; (3) crisis recovery measures by carrying out a pig hunting ceremony; and (4) returns society with its entire social order to a normal situation.AbstrakBuru babi dalam masyarakat Minangkabau merupakan sebuah ritus yang dilaksanakan dalam sebuah proses ritual yang bertahap. Ritus buru babi menjadi sebuah penanda yang melibatkan berbagai aspek sosial masyarakat Minangkabau, termasuk ekonomi, religi, dan budaya. Ada dua pertanyaan yang hendak dijawab di dalam penelitian ini. Pertama, apa makna ritus buru babi dalam masyarakat Minangkabau dan bagaimana konstruksi sosial dari proses ritual tradisi buru babi sebagai sebuah drama sosial? Untuk menjawab kedua pertanyaan tersebut, penulis menggunakan teori ritual Victor Turner dan teori drama sosial Max Weber. Hasi penelitian ini menunjukkan dua hal pokok. Pertama, peristiwa buru babi yang awalnya hanya merupakan upaya para petani menghilangkan hama tanaman berkembang menjadi sebuah drama sosial. Ritus buru babi sebagai drama sosial ternyata memiliki empat fungsi, yaitu (1) menghilangkan konflik; (2) membatasi perpecahan dan membangun solidaritas masyarakat; (3) mempersatukan dua prinsip yang bertentangan; dan (4) memberikan kekuatan dan motivasi baru untuk hidup dalam masyarakat sehari-hari. Kedua, sebagai drama sosial, tradisi buru babi membentuk sebuah konstruksi sosial. Di dalam proses sosial itu terdapat empat fase drama sosial yang terdiri atas (1) pelanggaran norma sosial oleh hama yang mengundang masyarakat untuk bersatu melakukan pembasmian; (2) hama babi mendatangkan ancaman yang nyata yang dapat menyengsarakan kehidupan masyarakat petani (krisis) sehingga masyarakat bersatu dan mengadakan berbagai upacara persiapan pelaksanaan berburu; (3) tindakan pemulihan krisis dengan melaksanakan upacara berburu babi; dan (4) mengembalikan masyarakat dengan seluruh tatanan sosialnya ke situasi normal.

Judaism in the Kitchen: Ritual Space of the Mountain Jewish Women of Dagestan

The article investigates the gender and ritual roles of the Mountain Jewish women of Dagestan. The research is based on fieldwork conducted by the "Sefer" Center in 2018. The author suggests that in the Mountain Jewish communities the central component of ritual life is a collective feast, but not the synagogue as it is in many other Jewish communities. Since traditionally women are responsible for preparing food, they shape and pass on the traditions of the Mountain Jews. They organize community celebrations and rites of passage. During Soviet times, the power over the ritual process transferred from the centralized male system, the synagogue, to the female sphere.

THE CULTURAL VALUES OF THE BULANGAN LONDONG SEMBANGAN SUKE BARATA RITUAL OF THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF TORAJA

The purpose of this study was to investigate the cultural values in the ritual of Bulangan Londong Sembangan Suke Barata as part of the Toraja indigenous people life. The research method used in this study is a qualitative method. Meanwhile, the respondents involved in this study include culturist, linguists, and the Toraja community. The research instruments used in this study were document files, interviews with the subjects, and observations using a video recorder that recorded the ritual process of Bulangan Londong Sembangan Suke Barata. The data analysis technique in this study includes three main steps, namely data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. The results showed that the cultural values contained in the rituals of the Bulang Londong Sembangan Suke Barata were 'Manuk' which symbolized the value of the work ethic, 'Ussembang Suke Barata' which represented the religious value of bamboo slashed by 'Mina', and 'Kayunan Londong' which personifies the leader's patriotic value.Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk menyelidiki nilai-nilai budaya dari ritual bulangan londong sembangan suke barata dari masyarakat adat Toraja. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kualitatif. Responden penelitian ini adalah budayawan, ahli bahasa, dan komunitas Toraja. Instrumen penelitian yang digunakan adalah file dokumen, wawancara dengan subjek, dan pengamatan dengan menggunakan perekam video pada ritual bulangan londong sembangan suke barata. Teknik analisis data mencakup tiga langkah utama, pengurangan data, presentasi data, dan penarikan kesimpulan. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa nilai-nilai budaya yang terkandung dalam ritual bulangan londong sembangan suke barata adalah manuk yang melambangkan nilai etos kerja, ussembang suke barata yang mewakili nilai religius bambu yang ditebas oleh mina, dan kayunan londong sebagai personifikasi nilai patriotik pemimpin.

Re-imagining Funerary Rites in the Context of Covid-19

Covid-19 has brought about unsuspected possibilities and death on a large global scale since its advent on the shores of the global community in early March of 2020. The novel pandemic has undoubtedly challenged and changed the normative operations of the social, political and economic activities all across the globe. Religious fraternities and activities have experienced challenging dynamics in how fellowship and worship are practised. Businesses and the entertainment industry have their share of suffering and enduring the suspending effect that has since been forcefully occasioned by the strategic global lockdown. The labour market metrics have realised a drastic decline due to companies closing down owing to the challenges that Covid-19 has rendered against their financial fragility and profit share. Academic institutions have also seen drastic challenges and a need for change in how they perform their curricula duties in the unpredictable context of Covid-19. Evidently, the advent of the Coronavirus has pointedly offered the nations of the world an opportunity to re-imagine a number of issues and social conducts. With millions of people dying across the globe, funerals have taken a new, strange turn in how the rites of passage for the deceased are practised. In light of this, the current essay presents the argument around re-imagining funerary rites in the Covid-19 context. The paper adopts Victor Tuner’s theoretical assumptions of ritual purported in his text entitled The Ritual Process: Structure and Anti-Structure, so as to theoretically problematise the idea of re-imagining funerary rites in the undesirable ‘new normal’? situation of Covid-19.

PROSES PELAKSANAAN RITUAL KAKADIU BUKUNO KAMOKULANO LIWU PADA MASYARAKAT BOMBONAWULU DI KELURAHAN BOMBONAWULU KECAMATAN GU KABUPATEN BUTON TENGAH

The purpose of this study is to study and describe the kakađiu βukuno kamokulano liwu ritual process in Bombonawulu community, Gu District, Buton Tengah Regency. The study uses qualitative methods by presenting them in the formof descriptions. The location of this research is in Bombonawulu Village, Gu District,Central Buton Regency. Data collection with interviews, observations and documentation. This study, the authors used qualitative data analysis techniques. The results of this study indicate that the process of carrying out the kakađiu βukunokamokulano liwu ritual consists of five stages, namely: (1) the preparatory stage includes the preparation of the complete kakađiu βukuno kamokulano liwu ritual as well as checking the completeness of the ritual at the Daduwali Palace; (2) the steps to the βukuno kamokulano liwu burial place, including: the procession of ritual executives, starting with the black flag bearer, the ritual executor and the group of men, then the group of women and white flag bearers, (3) stages in the dwelling place, including: doing worship, cleaning themselves, climbing the cliff, worshiping again and continuing to open the cover that wraps the βukuno kamokulano liwu frame and (4) the bathing stage, includes: scraping the frame with coconut milk, then smearing it with coconut oil and water the bones with holy water ngkolaki, (5) haroa stage, including: reading congratulations and eating together.Keywords: Implementation, Ritual, Kakadiu, Bukuno, Kamokulano,Liwu

Nilai-Nilai Pendidikan Karakter yang Terkandung di Dalam Ritual Bersamaan Hari Kemerdekan di Pura Pucak Desa Pelapuan Kecamatan Busungbiu Kabupaten Buleleng

The purpose of this study was to describe the values ​​of character education contained in the ritual along with Independence Day at Pucak Temple Pelapuan Village, Busungbiu District, Buleleng Regency. Character values ​​in the development of education are very important things to do in order to realize a better nation's civilization. At the same time, in order to strengthen the values ​​of the nation's character, it can be done in various ways in everyday life. The values ​​of the nation's character have actually been contained in almost every human behavior that lives in various regions throughout Indonesia. The most basic problem with regard to realizing the values ​​of the nation's character education is to identify them in a number of behaviors in social life. The results of research in ritual activities carried out at Pucak Temple Pelapuan Village, Busungbiu District, Buleleng Regency have shown an effort to realize the values ​​of the nation's character in relation to the implementation of Hinduism. Hindus who carry out these activities simultaneously carry out two types of activities that support each other. First, religious rituals carried out by Hindus as a form of worship to the great power who resides in the temple to ask for waranugraha in order to overcome the struggle of life. Second, Hindus who carry out religious rituals also carry out national ceremonies by singing the anthem Indonesia Raya, Menhening Cipta, and chanting Pekik Merdeka as a form of love for the Republic of Indonesia. The ritual process is associated with the theory of symbols as a form of appreciation of Hindu religious teachings using symbolic media. The implementation of these activities is associated with Value theory, which is a manifestation of the implementation of the values of the nation's character as formulated by experts.

Ritual Process and Symbolic Transformation in Cultural Landscapes of Proto-Urban Bactria

The focus of this discussion is a recent book on the Bronze Age Proto-Bactrian culture of Southern Uzbekistan. I dare say that there are some books that inspire us to study monuments, and there are some monuments that inspire us to write books. But there are some books that become scientific monuments themselves in documenting the archaeological artefacts in the form of texts, messages, and narratives. Among such academic works is the monograph Buston VI – the Necropolis of Fire-worshippers of Pre-urban Bactria (Samarkand: IICAS, 2016. – 634 pp. ISBN 978-9943-357-36-5), recently published by the International Institute for Central Asian Studies (IICAS).