Sipuisilam dalam Selimut Arat Sabulungan Penganut Islam Mentawai di Siberut

Abstract

The Mentawai island group, due to relative remoteness, has been able to develop independently from activities on the mainland. Therefore, a large part of the population was raised on the organically developed culture and dynamic capacity of the community. This was possible due to the richly endowed environment, which includes the staple food provision in sago trees and an abundance of wildlife, including boars. The food source became an important element in the traditional believe of Arat Sabulungan, as it served as a binding agent in ritual feasts, bonding of sharing animal protein with clan members, payments to fulfil bride price requirements and traditional fines. In 1954, a compulsory introduction of state sanctioned religions was arranged. As the Mentawains acknowledge certain advanced wisdom and wealth of the sasareu or foreigners, many incentive programs made successful converts. Nevertheless, a remarkable adaptation was included; in which some layers of Mentawai identity was not lost in the conversion. In this adaptation the Islamic faith was infused with local perception.          

Kelompok  etnik di Kepulauan Mentawai dapat berkembang secara mandiri dari berbagai aktifitas di tanah daratan Mentawai. Hal ini terjadi karena keterasingan dari tanah daratan. Dengan demikian, secara organic sebahagian masyarakat mengembangkan budaya dan dinamika lingkungan yang termasuk didalamnya ketersediaan sagu sebagai bahan pokok makanan dan kelimpahan alam seperti babi hutan. Sumber makanan menjadi unsur utama dalam keyakinan masyarakat, Arat Sabulungan, sebagai suatu media ritual; penyimpanan hewan bersama sesama anggota keluarga; pembayaran syarat mahar; dan tradisi denda. Pada tahun 1945, sebuah kewajiban yang diberlakukan negara yang memberi sanksi agama-agama lokal diperakarsai. Sebagaimana orang-orang Mentawai memiliki kebijakan yang maju dan kekayaan orang asing (sasareu), akibatnya, banyak program bantuan yang sukses dijalankan. Namun demikian, suatu model adaptasi yang menonjol, dimana beberapa lapisan identitas mentawai tidak hilang akibat konversi tersebut. Dalam adaptasi ini, misalnya, keyakinan Islam dimasukkan kedalam persepsi agama lokal.