Textual and Contextual Meanings of Peni and Nogo Folklore in Lembata Language

Abstract

Peni and Nogo is a legend of the Lamatuka people that has been passed down through generations within the local community. This folklore contains many messages that are not only explicit but also implicit. The objective of this research is to examine the textual and contextual meanings contained in the folklore of Peni and Nogo. This qualitative descriptive research used an ethnolinguistic approach to understand to understand the messages conveyed in Peni and Nogo folklore. The data source for this research is the folklore book of Peni and Nogo written by Gerady Tukan. The technique to collect the data is by reading the entire text, identifying the meanings contained in the story, and presenting the data descriptively. The researcher used triangulation techniques to keep the validity of the data. The results show that the textual meaning within the Peni and Nogo folklore gives a literal meaning of a triangular love story between two siblings and a young man named Demon. This narrative is framed by jealousy that triggers slander, and exile, involving the authority of social structures and the community's spiritual beliefs. Death is chosen as a means to resolve the conflict in this story. This was identified by the researcher through six lexical items found in the text, namely suanggi, the village head, Berawang, Lera Wulan Tanah Ekan, kebaku and the phrase ‘eyes closing forever’.The realization of these elements is also embedded in extralinguistic contexts involving people, situations, purposes, and places that reveal historical, social, political, religious, and educational meanings related to community life. Social and religious meaning are the dominant contexts in this story.