NGANTEN KERIS IN BUNGAYA VILLAGE KARANGASEM (PERSPECTIVE FORM, FUNCTION AND MEANING)

Abstract

The implementation of the Nganten Keris (keris wedding) in Bungaya Karangasem Village is unique, because during the ceremony, the bride is not paired with the groom, but with a keris instead of the groom. The aim of the research is to determine the form, function and meaning of the Nganten Keris ceremony in Bungaya Karangasem Village. For the sake of smooth research, data was collected using techniques: interviews and literature. In data analysis, activities are carried out, namely: data reduction, data presentation, drawing conclusions and verification. The results of the research show that the Nganten Keris ceremony in Bungaya Village uses the same facilities as wedding ceremonies in general, and is equipped with a keris as a substitute for the groom, carried out at the groom's house on an auspicious day (adult subha). The Keris Nganten Ceremony in Bungaya Village has a manifest function, namely as a solution to legalize the marriage so that the status of the wife and children is clearly with the groom's family; and has a latent function, namely establishing a kinship relationship between the two parties. The Nganten Keris ceremony in Bungaya Village has a constructive meaning, namely the meeting between the purusa (bridegroom) symbolized by the keris and pradana, namely the bride in the husband-wife bond; cognitive meaning, namely the establishment of social and cultural harmonization, kinship relationships due to marriage in accordance with customary or traditional provisions; has an evaluative meaning, namely as a good intention so that human relations of different sexes (men and women) are bound in one sacred relationship (legitimate husband and wife); means expressive, namely marriage to create pleasure, prosperity and happiness.  The research on Nganten Keris which was carried out in Bungaya Karangasem Village is very important because Nganten Keris is seen as a solution for problematic Hindu marriages in order to determine the status of the wife and children born from the marriage.