Function and meaning of “Tolak Bala“(Ward off Misfortune) Ritual in Malay Serdang Indonesia

Abstract

Annually ritual of Malay “Tolak Bala” (Ward off Misfortune) until today is still practiced in North Sumatra CoastalArea. This study focuses on this ceremony that enacted in Rural Bagan Serdang, District of Pantai Labu. Malay community herestill hold the ritual of “tolak bala” (ward off misfortune) every year. Malays here believe that the ritual of “tolak bala” (ward offmisfortune) has many roles and functions. There medicine or water from the diviner that they believe it will help to cure theirdiseases. There is also “tolak bala” (ward off misfortune) ritual that is implemented naturally, such as herbs from hometown toavoid disease or disorder spirits which can bring disease. Data collection, therefore, showed that the Malay society in DeliSerdang now believes that that ritual only mediation for submission to God (Allah); as a result that the highest powers of prayer inthe ritual “tolak bala” (ward off misfortune) will depend upon the Almighty God.