Ritus Peralihan Status Sosial Budaya dalam Upacara Ngerawang di Desa Adat Songan, Kintamani, Bangli

Abstract

Amid globalization and rapid social change, local traditions face challenges in maintaining their existence. One cultural heritage that remains preserved is the Ngerawang ceremony in Desa Adat Songan, Kintamani District, Bangli Regency. This ceremony serves as a means of communication with niskala (unseen) forces and as a mechanism for determining prospective jero (sacred community figures), rooted in ancestral beliefs and spiritual experiences. This study aims to: (a) describe the ngerawang ceremony process, and (b) explore its implications for the lives of jero and the community. Theories of rites of passage and liminality are used to understand the symbolic and functional meanings of the ceremony. A qualitative ethnographic approach was applied through observation, in-depth interviews, and literature study. The findings show that the ceremony begins with a spiritual experience of the jero candidate, followed by rituals at sacred sites through three phases: separation, transition, and incorporation. The implications felt by the jero involve spiritual, social, and personal transformations. The community holds the jero in high esteem as a mediator between the sekala (seen) and niskala worlds. This ceremony holds religious and social significance and strengthens the cultural identity of the people of Desa Adat Songan.