Page 341 - THE MELANESIA DIASPORA FILE CETAK ISI 10022017

hindrances that block the way to dignity. The usual local term used is oe nasanut manikin
ma oetenen, “water gives coolness and mercy.”
Water fixes everything chaotic and rebuilds the harmonic relations in nature. In reverse,
water can destroy everything that go against the rules of nature and humans’ longing to
be close to the ultimate orderliness. The presence of water is always against any problems
and conflicts. Water that gives peace is not suitable for any social clashes that happen in
society. The place of water in the rituals is to place the correct foundation and commitment
in people’s mindset.
The second is rock. Unlike flowing water, rock shows stability and metaphorically,
mental resolution. Traditional Timorese society sees rock as a sign of a limit or the
transcendence of problems that people face. Timorese people always avoid any instability
in life. Rock gives a new thinking perspective of something that is tough, absolute, and
ultimate. Rock is associated to something that is not easily swayed by challenges, troubles,
or any problems whatsoever.
The Timorese people’s living places are built on cliffs away from danger. Moreover,
rock indicates something mesmerizing yet scary, always interesting as it gives protection
and certainty of the future. People in Kuan Abun see rocks as a quiet place, a platform
where a life discourse is done. On this ‘rock’ the community builds a ‘communio’ climate in
a brotherhood and togetherness. The rock itself is one of the nature richness that can be
worn and it is up to the person what it is for. If it is used in a ritual, the meaning of the rock
is not just the natural function of it. That rock also has a ‘meta’ value that goes way beyond
its physical function.
The third is tree or wood. Nature becomes more interesting because besides water
and rock, there is tree or wood. Behind a tree we can see the flow of growth and a journey
forward, or a pilgrimage of the human life. Like flowing water, tree illustrates growth:
starting from the seed to something bigger and more meaningful. In the perspective
of a ritual, Timorese people believe in the function of a tree as the power to strengthen
humans’ effort in all walks of life. Wood gives the sole meaning to think about growth,
advancement, and development to the future.
In each ritual a ‘core’ (the local term, ‘uf,’ Uab Meto, Timorese language) indicates the
origins that are one and the same for everyone. A tree is always used to describe the unity
of people as an entity that starts and goes to a particular point that is usually formulated
with the unifying flow of life.

Chapter 9 341

MELANESIA BOOK FA LAYOUT 051216.indd 341 2/10/17 2:11 PM