The SYMBOLIC MESSAGE OF NGARUWAT RITUAL AS AN ANCESTRAL TRADITION OF THE LELES SAGALAHERANG COMMUNITY IN SUBANG REGENCY, WEST JAVA
Abstract
The Ngaruwat ritual is a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation bythe people of Leles Sagalaherang Village as an expression of gratitude to God Almighty for allthe pleasures that have been given, both in the form of faith, health, wealth and also the land onwhich they are based. The Ngaruwat ritual consists of several series of activities, namelyslaughtering goats, making sesajen, Sisingaan procession performances, and ending with apuppet show. The purpose of this research is to find out the meaning of the symbolic messageof the series of Ngaruwat ritual activities in Leles Sagalaherang village. The research methodused in this study is an ethnographic method with a qualitative approach. The results of the studyshow that the symbolic message of the Ngaruwat ritual series consists of (1) Slaughter of goatsby traditional leaders. Goats are used as a symbol that is interpreted as a source of blessingsand goodness for the community. (2) The implementation of Istighosah is a symbol that isinterpreted as self-purification from negative or bad influences. (3) Placing Sesajen in a sacredplace. Sesajen are an important symbol that has the meaning ofa spiritual journey to clean andpurify nature to avoid disasters. (4) The implementation of the sisingaan procession is a symbolthat means the happiness and gratitude of the community for the produce obtained. (5) The wayang golek performance is a symbol that is interpreted as respect and a reminder of theancestors who have inheritedthe Ngaruwat ritual to the people of Leles Sagalaherang village.The conclusion of this study is that the entire series of Ngaruwat ritual activities is a symbolicmessage that has a special and deep meaning for the people of Leles Sagalaherang village. Ingeneral, the symbolic message of the Ngaruwat ritual is a form of gratitude to God and theuniverse who have provided produce to be processed and consumed by the local community.
Keywords: Ritual communication, Meaning of message, Symbols, Ngaruwat rituals, Ethnography.
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