'Poan Kemer' and Catholic Religion (Dialogue Among the Ritual of 'Poan Kemer' in Kedang with the Sacrament of Confession in Catholicism)

ROFINUS PATI, Dr. Samsul Maarif

2016 | Tesis | S2 Agama dan Lintas Budaya

This thesis highlights the ritual of Poan Kemer practiced in Kedang area, Lembata regency and the Sacrament of Confession in Catholicism along with their processions that should be respectively applied. The ritual of Poan Kemer particularly deals with condition of a serious illness undertaken by a person in the family (poan kemer : tuo moleng balo laen). Poan Kemer ritual which origins from Kedangese tradition and the Sacrament of Confession in Christian tradition meet each other in the "worldview" on reconciliation. In Kedangese view, a person in physically terminal illness signals that the cosmos is not in balance. Consequently, reconciliation among the sick person with family members and the spirits of ancestors is really needed. In the perspective of Catholicism, the reconciliation between a sinful person (who is regarded as spiritually ill) with fellow humans and God is a fundamental reason to attain the harmony. Reconciliation becomes the 'common ground' of both rituals.

The theory used here is the theory of Geertz on cultural symbols as "model of" and "model for" reality. The ritual of Poan Kemer and the Sacrament of Confession are symbols of reconciliation to re-craft the harmony of the related parties. As models of reconciliation, both rituals are the conceptions that 'the regained-harmony' is an ideal condition to sustainably preserve and promote in daily life. By and after performing the rituals, harmony really presents and it should be kept as sustainably as possible. Conversely, as models for reconciliation, both rituals with their processions repair the disharmony, since the situation is not ideal anymore. In such a condition, there is a motivation to perform those rituals in order to regain the harmony, in and through reconciliation. Regarding indigenous religion, the theory of intersubjective relation which relates to the 'non human beings' (cosmos) as subjects in equal position with humans. The reconciliation of all parties is merely for cosmological balance (harmony)

Kata Kunci : Poan Kemer, Sacrament of Confession, Reconciliation, harmony