Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — The indigenous community of Boganatar in Kringa village, Sikka regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), held a traditional ceremony called ‘Tito Bado Odong Gahu‘. The ritual was performed to seek protection from their ancestors against the ongoing eruptions of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki.
According to Liputan6, The ritual was held on Monday, November 11, and took place at the home of Yang Lewar, a respected elder in the community. The ritual was began by preparing an offering, which later used in a ritual on top of nearby hill.
Yang Lewar as one of the central figures in Boganatar, holds the title of ‘Marang,’ which designates him as a traditional mantra reciter during ceremonies. Accompanied by Petrus Wahan, the landowner of Boganatar, the two elders prepared offerings that included chicken eggs, betel leaves, and tobacco. These offerings were carefully placed in palm leaf containers, with the eggs set atop coconut shells.
After preparing the ritual items, Yang Lewar and Petrus Wahan embarked on a journey by foot to a nearby hill, approximately one kilometer from Boganatar. There, they performed the sacred ‘Tito Bado Odong Gahu‘ ritual, calling upon ancestral forces to shield the community from the destructive impacts of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki’s recent eruptions.
According to Paulus Nong Sina, another prominent figure of Boganatar, the ritual aims to dispel all negative consequences from the Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki volcanic activity, which has increasingly affected the local community.
“This ceremony is to drive away the harmful effects of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki so that they do not burden the people. People pray that the hot ash, tremors, and any forms of disease stay far away from here,” Paulus explained.
The ritual not only seeks protection for the people of Boganatar but also extends its blessings to neighboring communities, including the villages of Timu Tawa, Hikong, Udek Duen, and Ojang, all of which have been impacted by volcanic ash.
“These five villages are already affected. While we conduct this ritual in Boganatar, elders in other affected areas also hold similar ceremonies to ward off misfortunes,” Paulus added.
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki Eruptions Continue, New Lava Flows Observed
Furthermore, the ‘Tito Bado Odong Gahu‘ ritual includes a plea for ancestral protection over the evacuees who have taken refuge in Boganatar. During the ritual, the ‘Marang’ recites a complex and lengthy mantra, including phrases like ‘Nian Giit Tana Mangan‘ which translates to “may the earth remain strong.”
“Our wish is for all of us in these five villages to stay safe and healthy,” Paulus said.
People in Boganatar, along with other villages in Talibura subdistrict, has been blanketed by volcanic ash following the eruptions of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki. The village of Boganatar has also become a temporary shelter for evacuees from Nawokote and Boru villages in Wulanggitang subdistrict, East Flores regency, who have sought refuge there since the major eruption on November 3, 2024.
However, the majority of these evacuees were relocated by the East Flores local government to safer shelters in Kobasoma and Gerong villages, Titehena subdistrict, on Sunday afternoon (November 10, 2024).
(Raidi/Agung)
