The Meaning and Symbols of Offerings in the Karo Ritual Ceremony of the Tengger Tribe in Baledono Village: Makna dan Simbol Sesajen dalam Ritual Upacara Karo Suku Tengger Desa Baledono

Abstract

This study analyzes the symbolic meanings of offerings in the Karo Ceremony ritual of the Tengger Tribe in Baledono Village as a system of ritual communication reflecting spiritual, cultural, and social relationships. Using qualitative descriptive method, data were collected through semi-participant observation full one week, in-depth interviews with four key informants are traditional leaders, village head, Hindu priest, and youth representative, and documentation are hotographs, videos, audio recording of interview, research journals of tengger, and traditional manuscripts like lontar keropak . Thematic analysis was conducted using F.W. Dillistone's six dimensional symbol theory. The results reveal that offerings function as multi-dimensional communicative symbols. These findings demonstrate that Karo offerings constitute a sophisticated symbolic language encoding cosmological understanding, maintaining social bonds, and transmitting cultural knowledge. Understanding this symbolic meaning is crucial for preserving Tengger culture amidst contemporary social change