Interpretation about Death Rite of the Nias Ethnic and its Relation to Social Order.

Abstract

This study reports on the description and analysis of death rituals that are a tradition of the Nias tribe in Indonesia. Descriptive discussion of rites and rituals of death using the perspective of cultural anthropology and the sociology of religion. In Nias belief, the spirits of the dead can be transferred into statues and become objects of worship, which are highly respected but also feared. Although Christianity has replaced tribal religion, the strength of tradition in the old beliefs persists to this day, so syncretism is unavoidable. The research findings show that death rituals become religious tools that maintain traditional values on the one hand and become legitimate tools to increase social status and cohesion in society. The rituals of death are integrated into social interactions where people carry out symbols and form social order. This finding proves that modern society's social cohesion is inseparable from tradition's role.