SPIRITUAL ASPECTS OF THE INAUGURATION PROCESS
HEAD OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT OF DIMALUKU[1]
Mailod Latuny
Introduction
Essentially, Maluku society is a community whose lives are inextricably linked by customs and culture. They live within a social order encompassed by various norms and rules that serve to regulate and control the lives of those within it. As Sitompul put it, "every person within a social group is always bound by the customary ties that apply within that group."[2].
In Maluku society, there is a belief called tribal religion, which contains belief in supernatural powers which are believed to be able to influence a person's fate, whether good or bad, depending on their own attitude which is expressed through actions which include obedience to existing rules.
The rules outlined and passed down by the ancestors are found in customs. Within these customs, there are many forms and values considered sacred. These forms and values are reflected in the behavior of each community, whether in customs, beliefs, or social practices.
In the life of the Maluku people, the rules and values in customs are still maintained as a legacy of Tete-Nene Ancestral and therefore continuously passed down to the next generation (children and grandchildren). Considering that custom itself is a means of unity that encompasses all areas of life to create harmonious living conditions in Maluku society, customs are still respected and obeyed, this is clearly seen in the still strong belief in the spirits of Tete-Nene Ancestral and supernatural powers associated with certain places. So there is a belief within them that people who follow all the demands of custom perfectly in their lives will obtain salvation. This thought is formed from the belief or recognition that the supernatural powers possessed by custom can determine human destiny. Thus, Maluku people can be said to be indigenous people because their daily lives are inseparable from customary practices and are always passed down from generation to generation.
To pass on traditions to the next generation, it cannot only be done by simply telling them by word of mouth, but the rest must be symbolized in certain names or objects, this will help the community to be loyal to the traditions themselves.
So I will try to write about SPIRITUAL ASPECTS OF THE INAUGURATION PROCESS OF THE HEAD OF STATE GOVERNMENT IN MALUKU, which is part of the customary elements/practices.
Discussion
1. The Inauguration Process of the Head of the State Government
Before discussing the inauguration process for the head of state, we need to examine the processes that precede it. Regional Regulation No. 13 of 2008 regulates the procedures for nominating, electing, appointing, inaugurating, and dismissing the King (Head of State Government), as well as cultural traditions (customs) that have been part of life since ancient times.
Where the people of Maluku elect the head of the state government in a democratic manner and are appointed based on house eyes[3]/ soa[4] Elections are carried out democratically, meaning that several candidates are nominated and then elected through a democratic process held in the country. Appointments are based on Bush house/soa government, this process still applies in several countries in Maluku, where the head of the country's government is appointed from within house eyes/soa command, because the eyes of the house/soa have led the country since ancient times and it is a tradition that has been rooted from generation to generation in the joints of the life of the community.
When someone is proposed or appointed as head of government of a country, it means that the person is considered worthy and capable of being a leader with credibility and great responsibility for the totality of the life of the community, even according to tradition there are certain people who have been prepared since childhood and even have certain signs as a leader, who will lead in the future.
After the election process has received a valid decision (Determination), the process of inaugurating the head of the national government continues. This inauguration process consists of two parts, namely:
a. Inauguration according to tradition
b. Government inauguration
Although in its implementation there are countries that carry out both processes, there are also those that only carry out one of the processes. The fact that often happens is that when the time comes for the inauguration of the Head of the State Government, the country that will carry out the inauguration invites other countries which are countries Pela[5] and Carrying[6] even neighboring countries, to witness and celebrate together. If the inauguration process was carried out according to tradition, when the sun set the day before the inauguration date, the Traditional Elders[7] have gathered in Old house[8] from the Eyes of the House/Soa command while performing traditional rituals while waiting for 00.00 WIT to go to places that are considered sacred, such as the old country, the entrance to the country, etc., to be carried out Pasawari[9] until sunrise with the intention of inviting the spirits (spirits) of the ancestors to be present in the inauguration process. then return to the Old House, before heading to Baileu, when leaving the old house, paswari is done in front of the old house and pasawari is also done when arriving in front of the baileu door then enter the baileu to carry out the traditional inauguration process, this traditional inauguration is done with the intention of asking the spirits of the ancestors / ancestors to always accompany the head of government and provide strength to the king to organize the government. after the traditional inauguration process is completed, if it is carried out with a government inauguration process. Then this process will take place at the state office, which is carried out by local government officials, the Regional Head or his representative, but there are also those who directly carry out the government inauguration process in the baileu. In taking the oath as head of the state government, the king is accompanied by religious leaders. After the government inauguration process is completed, the next process is the inauguration which is carried out at the House of Worship. After that, the reception/thanksgiving event will take place at the king's house or old house.[10].
2. Spiritual Aspects
From the descriptions that have been presented in the sections above, it is clearly depicted that the head of the country's government who is appointed by the government aims to provide legal legitimacy to the king so that he can run the wheels of government in accordance with the rules that apply within the framework of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia.
From a traditional perspective, the head of government who is chosen or appointed is not just an ordinary person, but someone who is chosen or appointed is someone who is truly considered capable, and even more than that, this person is considered by tradition to have certain powers that can lead, regulate, punish and protect members of his community.
The head of the government of a country/king is a person who is considered to have supernatural powers that come from the spirits of the ancestors, because when the inauguration process is carried out according to tradition, the spirits of the ancestors are invited to always accompany the leadership of the king. because according to M. Brownlee, the existing community must not deviate from the taboos, beliefs and wisdom of the past.[11]
When the king pronounces/declares something, no one can oppose him because if anyone tries to oppose his decree, that person will be punished not only with real punishment but also punishment caused by things that happen beyond human reason.
The king was considered capable of resolving any problems that arose in the community. The people became loyal and obedient, carrying out the king's every command. Some even offered a portion of their crops to the king when they harvested their crops.
Thus, the spiritual aspect of the inauguration process of the head of the country's government/king is that the leader has an important role in the life of society, and it can be said that the king is the god who is on earth.
3. Christian Theological Studies
In the Bible, there are many explanations and even explanations of theological themes that talk about the 'King' as reference material in I Kings 1: 1-53, namely about "David's old age and the matter of his successor, and Solomon being anointed as king" and I Kings 2. The throne and wisdom possessed by David and Solomon were God's promises that were fulfilled to them because they obeyed every rule written in the Book of Moses.
This means that when a king who is considered to have power has supernatural powers that come from the existence of the spirits of his ancestors, this is something that is very contrary to Christian doctrine and even to other religions because the one who is considered to have power over the totality of human life is only God or in the terms of the Moluccan people. Upu Langite/ Upu Ume ”God of Heaven/God of Earth.
Our ancestors were merely a part of the totality of God's creation. Even our ancestors' position in the concept of creation is a product of God's creation. We both seek salvation.
The existence of ancestors in human life is merely as people to be remembered and respected, not worshipped or believed in, because they can provide the power to lead, punish, protect, and even provide solutions to every problem that arises. The New Testament also contains many descriptions regarding this. true faith, namely it is true that we are in the world, however we ourselves are not of the world (cf. John 17:14-16), because how woe to us because we trust in someone who calls himself a savior, if that person does not rise from the dead (cf. I Cor. 15:17-19), but it is true that Christ has been raised from the dead (v. 20). This testimony also indicates that the location of God's existence in every history is a universal and contextual God in every culture where humans are and experience it. So it can also be said that ancestors as has been explained regarding form and its existence As a provider of goodness for the lives of children and grandchildren, once again in my opinion, is part of God's unique aspect. Therefore, in my opinion, ancestors will certainly lose their active position, but because the Christian community believes and understands that they will not be lost to that (certain) tribe, but rather hold a role and place because "they are always commemorated in faith” by posterity for generations.[12]
Therefore, when someone is chosen or appointed as head of a country's government/leader, that's when God is at work, because everything that happens on earth is within His sight. A king can lead, punish, protect, and provide solutions to every problem because of God's favor through the wisdom and leadership He bestows upon him. And most importantly, a king must fear and obey Him.
Closing Event
To conclude this study, I will present several conclusions and suggestions for those involved in the subject matter of this paper. The conclusions that can be drawn are as follows:
First : The inauguration process for the head of the state government is regulated in Regional Regulation No. 13 of 2008 which regulates the Procedures for Nomination, Election, Appointment and Inauguration as well as Dismissal of the King (Head of State Government).
Second : The process of inaugurating the head of government of a country is a cultural heritage or custom that has existed since ancient times.
Third : A king is someone who is respected, appreciated, and even feared because he is considered to have supernatural powers that come from the spirits of his ancestors.
Fourth: The wisdom of leadership and wisdom possessed by the king only comes from God.
Based on the above conclusion, I would suggest that when someone is elected or appointed as head of a country's government (any leader), it means that person has earned the trust of the people he will lead. And when becoming a leader, speak the truth and act well. Fearing God, then the Wisdom of Leadership and the Wisdom of wisdom will become part of life.
READING LIST
AA Sitompul, Humans and Culture, (Jakarta: BPK Gunung Mulia, 2000)
Mailod Ch. Latuny, The Presence of Ancestors in Old Houses in Soahuku Village, Central Maluku, Reviewed from the Perspective of Missio Dei, (thesis), (Tomohon PPST UKIT: 2007).
Malcolm Brownlee, Man's Duties in God's World. (Jakarta: BPK Gunung Mulia 1997).
Regional Regulation No. 13 of 2008, Concerning the Procedures for Nominating, Electing, Appointing and Inaugurating as well as the Dismissal of the King.
[1] This article was published in a book COMPILATION OF THOUGHTS ON THE DYNAMICS OF LAW IN SOCIETY (Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Universitas Pattimura in 2013), 2013
2 Dr. AA Sitompul, Humans and Culture, (Jakarta: BPK Gunung Mulia, 2000). p. 28
[3]House Eyes is a collection of one genus.
[4] Sounds is a collection of several genera.
[5] Pela is a relationship between two or more countries that is established due to historical events such as helping each other in war or other things.
[6] Carrying is a relationship between two or more countries that is formed because of ties of brotherhood/kinship (younger and older siblings).
[7] Traditional elders are people who have the responsibility/duty to carry out traditional ceremonies.
[8] Old house is the house where the first ancestors lived.
[9] Pasawari is a traditional praise.
[10] Interview with Mr. Nus Tamaela, (Soahuku Traditional Shop), (Via Telephone, 05-03-2013)
[11] Malcolm Brownlee, Man's Duties in God's World. (Jakarta: BPK Gunung Mulia 1997), p. 159.
[12] Mailod Ch. Latuny, The Presence of Ancestors in the Old House, Di Soahuku Village – Maluku Being Reviewed From the Perspective of Missio Dei, (thesis), (Tomohon PPST UKIT: 2007), pp. 85-86.
