The Religious Meaning of “Kulut Kaet” (Mourning Lament) in Dawan Ethnic in Nusa Village In East Nusa Tenggara: An Ethnographic Perspective Study

Rudolof Jibrael Isu; Yanrini M. Anabokay; Ni Putu Juliani Lestari Dewi; Yennsy M. Fanggidae; Rocky P. Sekoni; Markus D. Radja; Temy M. E. Ingunau; Agnes O. Manek

doi:10.30736/ej.v12i01.1252

Authors

Rudolof Jibrael Isu Universitas Persatuan Guru 1945 NTT
Yanrini M. Anabokay Universtias Persatuan Guru 1945 NTT, Kupang
Ni Putu Juliani Lestari Dewi Universitas Persatuan Guru 1945 NTT
Yennsy M. Fanggidae Universitas Persatuan Guru 1945 NTT
Rocky P. Sekoni Universitas Persatuan Guru 1945 NTT
Markus D. Radja Universitas Persatuan Guru 1945 NTT
Temy M. E. Ingunau Universitas Persatuan Guru 1945 NTT
Agnes O. Manek Universitas Persatuan Guru 1945 NTT

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30736/ej.v12i01.1252

Keywords:

kulut kaet, mourning lament, Dawan ethnicity, religion, ritual, loss, spirituality

Abstract

Kulut kaet, or mourning lament, is an important tradition in the Dawan ethnic community in South Central Timor District, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), which carries deep religious significance. It is more than just an expression of grief over loss, but also a means of honoring the spirit of the deceased and maintaining the connection between the living world and the spiritual world. This article aims to explore the religious significance of the Kulut kaet emphasizing the spiritual dimension of the mourning ritual. Through a qualitative and ethnographic approach, this study analyses how Kulut kaet functions as a form of respect for the spirits of the deceased, as a way of maintaining relationships with ancestors, as well as a collective healing mechanism for the Dawan community. The results show that Kulut kaet is not only an expression of personal grief, but also a ritual that involves the community in the process of grieving together. This lament becomes important in strengthening social solidarity, preserving traditions, and carrying out religious obligations as a tribute to the spirits of the deceased.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Anselm Strauss & Juliet Corbin. Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory. 8th ed.

Bowlby, John. Attachment and Loss: Volume I: Attachment. Basic Books, 1969.

Charmaz, Kathleen. Constructing Grounded Theory. 2nd ed.

Creswell, John W., dan Timothy C. Guetterman. Educational Research: Planning, Conducting, and Evaluating Quantitative and Qualitative Research. 7th ed. Pearson, 2024. ISBN-13: 9780138173784.

Hennink, Monique M., Inge Hutter, and AJ Bailey. Qualitative Research Methods. 3rd ed.

Isu, Rudolof Jibrael. (2024). "Lexical Paraphrases in Tonis (a Poetry of Dawan or Uab Meto) Marriage Process in South Central Timor District." Rainbow: Journal of Literature, Linguistics and Culture Studies 13, no. 1: 65–73.

Isu, Rudolof Jibrael, Manek, Agnes Odiyanti, M.E Ingunau, Temy. (2022). "Paralelisme Makna Tuturan Ritual Saeba Bunuk Hau No Pada Guyub Tutur Etnik Dawan di Desa Nunle’u, Kecamatan Amanatun Selatan, Kabupaten Timor Tengah Selatan, Provinsi Nusa Tenggara Timur." Retorika: Jurnal Pembelajaran Bahasa dan Sastra Indonesia 3, no. 1: 1–13.

Isu, Rudolof J. M.E Ingunau, Temy. (2020). "Tuturan Ritual Beaeula dalam Upacara Kematian pada Masyarakat Desa Oetutulu Kecamatan Rote Barat Laut Kabupaten Rote Ndao." Ciencias: Jurnal Penelitian dan Pengembangan Pendidikan 3, no. 2: 102–114.

Kübler-Ross, Elisabeth. On Death and Dying. Macmillan, 1969.

Nowell, L. S., J. M. Norris, D. E. White, and N. J. Moules. (2017). "Thematic Analysis: Striving to Meet the Trustworthiness Criteria." International Journal of Qualitative Methods 16, no. 1: 1609406917733847. https://doi.org/10.1177/1609406917733847.

Rappaport, Roy A. Ritual and Religion in the Making of Humanity. Cambridge University Press, 1999.

Reteg, I. Nyoman, Sanda, F., Nitbani, S., dan Luifeto G. Sastra Lisan Dawan. Pusat Pengembangan Bahasa, Departemen Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan, 1993.

Saldaña, Johnny. The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers. 8th ed.

TA Rohi, R Isu, NPJL Dewi. (2024). "An Analysis Meanings of Hapo Ana (Thanksgiving for the Birth of a Child) Ritual Speech in Raerobo Communities of Sabu Raijua Regency." Ciencias: Jurnal Penelitian dan Pengembangan Pendidikan 7 (2), 24–33. https://doi.org/10.70942/ciencias.v7i2.169

Van Gennep, Arnold. The Rites of Passage. University of Chicago Press, 1909.

Worden, J. William. Grief Counseling and Grief Therapy: A Handbook for the Mental Health Practitioner. Springer Publishing Company, 2009.

Yancy, George E. L., and William Wurster. Cultural Perspectives on Grief: A Global Overview. Routledge, 2014.

Wikipedia. "Nusa, Amanuban Barat, Timor Tengah Selatan." https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nusa,_Amanuban_Barat,_Timor_Tengah_Selatan.