Unveiling the Cultural Meanings of Aitali Watubao Ritual for Marriage: An Ethnolinguistics Study

This research examines the cultural meaning of the Aitali Watubao Ritual for marriage in the indigenous people of the Wodon Tribe in Wolomotong Village, East Maumere. This research used a descriptive qualitative method with an ethnolinguistic approach. The data in this study consisted of verbal and nonverbal data. The verbal data is in the form of information in the ritual speech. Meanwhile, nonverbal data is in the form of symbols in the tools and materials. The tools used include Luli, Wajak, Watu Mahang, and Watu Tubok. Meanwhile, the materials always used are Hoban Bura, Telo, Bako, Wawi I'ur Tilu Tema, Moke, I'an Kekor, Wua ta'a nora Apur. The ritual speeches contain intentions, prayers, and requests tailored to the event's form. The ritual speeches were delivered in two places, at the Watu Piong location inside the house and the Aitali Watubao place under a large banyan tree in the middle of the forest. The strings of prayers and wishes inside the house are usually addressed to the male biological parents, while the strings of prayers in the centre of the forest are addressed to the ancestors.