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Ninth, oral tradition contains the ‘philosophy of the indigenous people’, namely how
people think (by using traditional logic) in a finite space and time. Many oral traditions
contain natural truths with regard to living together. Although the pattern of oral tradition
presentation is simple, the people use it as a guide to find something bigger and more
accurate (although very pragmatic), in a dynamic environment increasingly becoming
dignified. Moreover, the content of the oral tradition is also associated with ontology,
epistemology and axiology of various local wisdoms. However, admittedly, it is sometimes
difficult to assess this ninth aspect because the stories and narratives have expanded beyond
their original structure, and many of them cannot be correctly and thoroughly identified.
Tenth, oral tradition contains ‘religiosity of the indigenous people’ or traditional
religion in the local context. Behind the stories and narratives, the nature of Melanesian
beliefs can be studied. Various myths and mythology always make vague references to the
Divine One, which should never be referred to using ‘real’ phrases or in a blunt manner.
Mentioning the name of the Divine One is something unlawful. Traditional societies of
Timor even argue that mentioning the name of the Divine One is synonymous with ‘cutting
oneself’ or death. For further works on the ten aspects of oral traditions, see (Danandjaja,
1994, Dundes, 1965, Finnegan, 1992, Fox, 1977, 1988, 1995, 1997b, Neonbasu, 2009c,
2011b, 2013, Parera and Neonbasu, 1994, Vansina, 1965). For works which seek to counter
the description of traditional societies as ‘primitive’, see, for example Neonbasu (2009b)
and Nuban Timo (2012).
The ten formulas above trace back the functions of ‘oral tradition’ which in essence
identify the perceptions of Melanesian Society ‘identity’ with regard to the individual,
society, universe, as well as ancestors and the Divine One. In the framework of the
traditional strategy of civilized society, this very human identity can be categorized as a
social fact that must be appreciated in a variety of human activities each day. The refraction
of oral tradition is associated with depictions of the human image at the level of time and
space to inspire certain human activities to establish themselves and the environment to
become more meaningful.

Oral Tradition: Identity, and Harmony
There are a variety of local wisdoms which refer to the notion ‘continual effort’ to improve
the ‘identity’ of personal and community lives. Melanesians’ efforts to develop a more
meaningful life have always centered on a high respect for the dimension of identity and
conscience. This phenomenon has been crystallized in thousands local wisdom, contained
in the sidelines of the oral tradition.

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