THE MEANING AND FUNCTION OF SWEARING SPEECH IN “AMBONG TANDEK’ RITUAL CEREMONY IN MENGANTI GRESIK

Abstract

Ritual ceremony is as a manifestation of the local wisdom of the local community from generation to generation. The existence of rituals cannot be separated from the existence of native speakers of regional languages, especially Madurese language. The Madurese language in Gresik region has embodied every tradition that has existed for generations, especially as 'tandek' ritual ceremony (Madura language: ledek). It can be as comparison of culture in Java and Madura Island. This research used the interpretive descriptive method. This method is used to find out information and compare about the meaning and function of swearing in the 'tandek' ritual ceremony. The data was obtained through field observations. In this data analysis used genetic and cultural theories. The results of this data analysis found that the 'tandek' ritual ceremony has a social and cultural function. The social and cultural function of swearing is in the form of a ritual lexicon. This lexicon has the meaning of giving thanks for the disaster experienced by the local community. Another purpose of the ritual in carrying out this ceremony is to get rid of bad luck or disasters that have been experienced by the community. This 'tandek' ritual ceremony marked as the start of all ritual activities in the implementation of thanks giving ceremony in Menganti Gresik.