Traditional village structure in Jerebu'u

A traditional village in Jerebu'u involves clans, totems and a strongly hierarchic structure. Families directly descenting from the male and female ancestor's bloodline have distinct but equally important roles. The tradition of the village structure in Jerebu'u holdes a strong position in the society
Bena, a traditional village close to Jerebu'u

One village usually consists of more than one clan. The number of clans you can see from the number of totems in the square of the village. The clan that founded the village is the most powerful, and from what we found of information, is usually the clan that holds the position as the village leader. Each clan has two totems, one totem for male ancestor, Ngadhu, symbolising power and protection. And another totem for female ancestor, Bhaga, which symbolises fertility.

Flores gr.2 Male ancestor

Symbol of male ancestor's house

The houses of each clan are organized in a hierarchical structure. Each clan has a Saka Labo house, top house, which follows the bloodline of the male ancestor. It is symbolised with a figure of a little man on top of the roof. The clan also has a Saka Pu’u house, basic house, which follows the bloodline of the female ancestor. This house is symbolised with a little house on top of the roof. Both the Saka Lobo and the Saka Pu’u houses have various numbers of Kaka or Day, support houses. The support houses also follow the bloodline of either the male or the female ancestor.

Each clan has a Kepala Suku, similar in function as Kepala Adat, the leader of traditions. The Kepala Suku has to come from the house of Saka Pu’u. The traditional society is matrilineal.

Publisert av Marita Sørbø <marsor06SPAMFILTER@student.hia.no> 24.04.2007
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