Pakarena Dalam pesta jaga dalam masyarakat Makasar Takalar Sulawesi Selatan = Pakarena Performed in a Whole-Night- Stay Awake Feast Observed by Makassar Takalar Community of South Sulawesi

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study is to analyze the Pakarena theatrical show, particularly in its relation with Makassar community\u27s culture in the District of Takalar, South Sulawesi. As the mythical tale found written on lontarak and the truth of which the people of Makassar believe relates, it is said that Tu Manurung escorted by palace maidens serving as dancers, is descending from the sky onto the earth. These maidens, as this belief confirms, later become Pakarena dancers. As mentioned by some articles, it is said that Tu Manurung\u27s descendants, the nobility in command of the kingdoms throughout Makassar peninsula, cultivate Pakarena. At present, it is obligatory of a family or a certain communal group to have Pakarena dances performed within whole-nightstay-awake feasts and to accompany circumcision ceremonies. In order to procure necessary data, library and in-the-field studies are conducted. The data collected from both sources are combined, and, for the sake of authenticity, criticism is deemed to be worth launching towards those two sources. The study, uses an analytical descriptive method as well as a qualitative method. Besides, certain theories, along with several concepts of a synchronized approach as well as applying those of Humanity Social Science, are imployed. Through the execution of structural and functional analyses, it is concluded that a Pakarena show is governed by ceremonial events, of which it constitutes as a part. Besides that it serves as an entertainment and at the same time a reflexion of a person\u27s aesthetic feelings. Pakarena carries in it its foremost function as an indispensable complement to traditional or custom ceremonies. The Makassarese\u27s sense of faithful compliance with the norm system of these custom ceremonies has made Pakarena\u27s structure relatively static. That Pakarena has up to the present survived within the population of Takalar, Makassar, is largely thanks to its ritualistic function, in that it retains its existence as an indispensable complement to such custom ceremo nies as whole-night-stay-awake feasts. As a part of a custom ritualistic ceremony, Pakarena is vested with significant values that are believed to exert influence upon man\u27s lives, in particular those of certain communal groups. Keyword: Ritual performanceâ symbol -- function