Amanat Dalam Tuturan Su’i Uwi Pada Upacara Reba Masyarakat Beiposo, Kabupaten Ngada, Nusa Tenggara Timur

Abstract

Indonesia is extremely rich in various types of literature, including oral literature spread from Sabang to Merauke. Within oral literature, there are various mandates or moral messages intended to be conveyed by ancestors to future generations. These messages aim to provide guidelines for society to live according to established customary rules and norms, thereby avoiding divisions and disputes that could lead to social conflict. The Beiposo community in Ngada Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, has long been familiar with the ritual speech of su'i uwi as part of the Reba celebration tradition. However, along with the times and the flow of modernization, many people—especially teenagers—do not fully understand the essence, meaning, and noble values contained within it. This study aims to describe and analyze the various mandates or moral messages contained in the su'i uwi speech during the Reba traditional ceremony in the Beiposo community. The method used is descriptive qualitative with an ethnographic approach through interviews, recording, and note-taking techniques with key informants. The results of the study indicate that the su'i uwi speech is laden with moral messages, including the mandate of obedience to ancestral heritage and customary norms, as well as a strict prohibition against slandering or ruining the reputation of fellow human beings in order to maintain social harmony. Through an understanding of this speech, it is hoped that the community can preserve local culture while using it as a guide for character building among the younger generation.