Reba, Ngada Traditional Party
Culture contains ideological values, social systems, behavioral systems, knowledges, linguistics, and physical aspects of culture.
By Universitas Budi Luhur
Prudensius Maring
The communities develop culture through a process of adaptation and learning that is carried out collectively over time to time. The results of the whole complex process are seen in various decorates and cultural expressions of the supporting communities, as seen through Reba
Reba, Ngada Traditional Party (2023-06-13/2023-06-13)Universitas Budi Luhur
Reba contains a series of traditional rituals, offerings and sacrifices of thanksgiving, communal banquets, chanting verses and songs, dance movements, traditional clothing appearance, and collective reflection through the Holy Eucharistic Celebration.
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Reba is carried out by the Ngada’s society on Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara. Reba is a form of thanksgiving to the God that known as the God Zeta Nitu Zale and as respect for the spirits of ancestors.
Traditional Feast
The Reba’s ceremony was carried out by the Ngada tribe since thousands of years ago. Since the entry of Catholicism around 1919, there has been an enculturation in which Reba was integrated in the Eucharistic Celebration.
Reba is celebrated by three indigenous tribal groups who were living in Ngada Regency, namely the Bajawa, Soa, and Riung tribes.
The Main Symbol
The main symbol in the Reba ceremony is uwi (yam) which is realized through the Su'i Uwi (cutting of yam) ceremony and the O Uwi ceremony in the form of exclamations, song verses, and dance.
On the one side, Reba shows cohesiveness and cooperation between the Ngada ethnicity/tribe. On the other hand, Reba contains an inclusive spirit by opening up the participation of citizens from outside the Ngada ethnicity.
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Reba continues to develop into a momentum for reuniting scattered citizens and at the same time a momentum for collective reflection in the midst of modern life. Today's Reba ceremony contains multiple meanings and purposes.
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Reba can be viewed and referred to as rituals, ceremonies, celebrations, performances, festivals, and traditional parties that are open and inclusive. Reba strengthens vertical relationships with God, opens social relationships, and respects ancestors and nature.
Article : Prudensius Maring
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