Symbols in Mbaru Gendang, A Traditional House in Manggarai-Flores-Indonesia: What do They Mean?

Abstract

This article mainly focuses on examining and exploring the symbols in mbaru gendang along with their meaning, a traditional house in Manggarai-Flores-Indonesia. It is an interesting phenomenon to be investigated as mbaru gendang is one of the local wisdoms which is rich with symbols and still maintained by Manggaraian people. This investigation was done under a descriptive qualitative study. It had been conducted in four traditional villages in Manggarai-Flores-Indonesia, especially in Langke Rembong Subdistrict. The data was collected by observation and interview. The observation was done to find the symbols in mbaru gendang. The interview was conducted to examine the meaning of symbols in mbaru gendang where four traditional elders involved in the interview process.  The study confirms that the structure and elements of mbaru gendang are rich with symbols. They are ngaung, lutur, lo’ang, para olo, para musi, sapo, siri bongkok, rangga tagi, gong, gendang, panga, wuwung, mangka, and rangga kaba.  Those symbols indicate darkness, strength, unity, brotherhood, power, togetherness, and cooperation.