MENGGALI MAKNA WOTIK WAWI WATEN DALAM MORAL DAN ETIKA PERKAWINAN MASYARAKAT DESA BAOMEKOT KAB. SIKKA

Abstract

The Wotik Wawi Waten ritual is a traditional ritual involving the feeding of a pig’s heart, which aims to legitimize marital status in accordance with established customary marriage laws, while also in- stilling noble values in the bride and groom so that they may build a harmonious household.The objectives of this study are: (1) to describe the process of the Wotik Wawi Waten ritual among the people of Baomekot Village, Sikka Regency; (2) to describe the meaning of the Wotik Wawi Waten ritual as a moral and ethical guide for the community of Baomekot Village, Sikka Regency; and (3) to identify the reasons and factors that cause the Wotik Wawi Waten ritual to continue to be main- tained as an important part of marital life in the Baomekot Village community up to the present day. This research employs a descriptive qualitative method, with data collection techniques in- cluding interviews and observation. The findings indicate that the Wotik Wawi Waten ritual consists of three stages, namely the Loka Pare Hoban stage, the Ole Robak Wawi stage, and the Wotik Wawi Waten stage. In community life, this ritual is regarded as a form of action that involves religious, social, and moral values. The ritual reflects a socio-cultural system that functions as a moral and ethical guideline for the Sikka community in shaping patterns of behavior. On the other hand, this ritual is not merely a sacred ceremony, but also serves as a foundation for the formation of a moral society. The symbols or ritual objects that determine ethics and morality in the ritual include ole, wawi waten, and wawi waten. Through the symbolic actions in this ritual, the willingness of both bride and groom to establish a strong and enduring relationship is expressed.