MENGAPA ORANG KATOLIK MASIH MENJALANKAN RITUAL MARAPU? Menguak Praktik Iman Ganda Di Loura

Abstract

The phenomenon of dualism in practising the faith among Catholics who
 converted from Sumbanese ethnic religion (Marapu) is a real challenge
 faced by the Catholic Church in Sumba. Such dualism is transparent
 in the practices of using simultaneously both Catholic and Marapu
 rites in the popular religiosity of Sumbanese Catholics. Both Catholic
 priests and Marapu ritual leaders are asked by the people, on different
 occassions, to perform rituals for their benefit. These two kinds of ritual
 leaders are equally considered as mediators of communication between
 human beings and the supernatural world. Such a practice reveals a deep
 encounter between Catholic and Sumbanese ethnic religion regarding
 the form, direction and means of communication between humans
 and supernatural beings. The author’s fieldwork at Weepangali in the
 district of Sumba Barat Daya, from January to August 2013, reveals a
 new concept and understanding of mediation, that is a mixture between
 a Catholic concept and a Marapu one. Some supernatural figures in
 Marapu religion are equated with those in Catholic devotions. This new
 understanding, however, is not formally and institutionally recognized
 in either the Marapu or Catholic hierarchies, but rather found more
 informally and spontaneously in the religious experience of Sumbanese
 Catholics. This phenomenon indicates the strong mutual influence
 between Catholic and Marapu experience, after a prolonged and ongoing
 encounter. 
 
 <b>Kata-kata Kunci:</b> Dunia empiris, dunia meta-empiris, ritual Marapu,
 doktrin Katolik, pengalaman religius, pengantaraan, perjumpaan.

Umat Katolik Sumba di Tengah Himpitan Tradisi dan Kepercayaan Marapu

“…Ada beberapa penelitian terdahulu yang melatarbelakangi penelitian ini, yakni: Pertama: penelitian yang dibuat oleh Panda (2017) tentang praktik ganda umat Katolik Sumba, dalam artikel dengan judul "Mengapa Orang Katolik masih Menjalankan Ritual Marapu? Menguak Praktik Iman Ganda di Loura" 7 .…”

The Animal Sacrifice Ritual as an Entry Point to Theology in the Cultural Context of Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara

“…Human transgressions have disrupted the relationship between humans and God. The Book of Leviticus records a conversation between God and Moses, where God declares that the offering of a lamb is a sign of peace between God and humanity through the mediation of the priest (Leviticus 5: [14][15][16][17]. This text demonstrates that offerings from humans are teachings directly from God, as God desires reconciliation with humanity even after their sins.…”