Authors:
Herman Didipu
1
;
Setya Yuwana Sudikan
2
and
Haris Supratno
2
Affiliations:
1
State University of Gorontalo, Indonesia
;
2
State University of Surabaya, Indonesia
Keyword(s):
artifact, sacred value, ethnographic novel
Abstract:
This research aimed at describing and interpreting the sacred values of cultural artifacts for society of Asmat Tribe in Papua. The approach used was literary anthropology approach by utilizing the Clifford Geertz’s concept. Research data sourced from 2 ethnographic novels by Ani Sekarningsih entitled Namaku Teweraut (2000) and Osaka Anak Asmat (2002). Utilizing the descriptive interpretative method, the data analysis done by three stages, namely: first, reading novels intensively while identifying cultural artifact, second, deeply understanding parts which is identified, and third, interpreting the meaning behind every cultural artifact. The research revealed 4 kinds of cultural artifacts which had values of sacred for Asmat Tribe community, they are sculpture, ancestors milestone statue or mbis, custom home jew, and body decoration. The findings explain that the sculpture for Asmat is a form of harmony of life with natural surroundings, as well as the spiritual embodiment of Asmat
community to the ancestors. Further, Ancestors milestone statue or mbis contain spiritual values because it is believed as a place of ancestors’ spirit reside while the custom home jew containing sacred values as a centre of tradition. The last, the body decoration is a symbol of self-unification with natural surroundings and environment. The sacred value of cultural artefacts for the Asmat tribe community essentially departs from five main functions, namely the spiritual function, ecological function, aesthetic function, social function, and economic function.
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