PEWARISAN NILAI-NILAI TRADISI NYALE DI SUMBA MELALUI KARYA SASTRA

Abstract

The inheritance of the Nyale tradition (Nyale and Pasola) through literary works needs to be done to ensure this locally known tradition can be well recognized and penetrating wider boundaries. This article will discuss what needs to be explored and what are the essential steps required to ensure this tradition can be inherited successfully. The main problem is the nature of nyale and pasola; Nyale and Pasola myths; and the inheritance of the Nyale and Pasola oral traditions through literary works. This question is answered through participatory qualitative field research and literature study, supported by oral tradition, myth, and “alih wacana” theories. The results explain that nyale and pasola are traditions that underline the importance of honesty and gratitude for the harvest. The meaning of nyale and pasola is living together. In a community that supports the pasola tradition, topaholong (pasola’s performers/horse riders), the role of horses in pasola, the role of traditional leaders, and local wisdom as a teaching of life are the main things. Other essential things such as the values of sacrifice which are revealed through the myth about rice and nale/nyale (sea worms) which are born from death, especially for orphans and widows, are a symbol of solidarity of the tradition-supporting communities in determining the way of life. These meanings and values are the main strength in writing literary works.