CHARACTERISTICS OF BLOOD KINSHIP SYSTEM AS IDENTITY MARKER OF SOCIAL ORGANIZATION IN MANGGARAI SOCIETY

Abstract

This study explores characteristics of blood kinship system as identity marker of social organization in Manggarai society in view of social anthropology. The study is descriptive in nature as describes the characteristics of kinship system as the identity marker of social organization in Manggarai society on the basis of cultural conceptualizations ascribed in their cognitive map as the frames of reference. The methods of data collection were observation, interview, and documentary study. The techiques of data collection were recording, elicitation, and note-taking. The data were analyzed qualitatively by inductive method. The results of study show that the system of blood kinship as the identity marker of social organization in Manggarai society is known as wa’u in Manggarai language which refers to a patrilineal-genealogic clan established on basis of blood ties traced along with father’s lineage and the origin structure of the same ancestors as the origin structure. While the specific characteristics of the wa’u are also marked by such cultural properties as the mbaru gendang as the origin house of the wa’u designating its existence as house-based community, the lingko randang as communal agricultural land belonging the wa’u, the beo as unilocal settlement unit of the wa’u, and the belief of the ireng as a kind of totem. The characteristics of blood kinship system affects not only the social structure of the wa’u as a patrilineal-genealogic clan, but also the social lives of the wa’u as a patrilineal-genealogic clan as a whole.