Parallelism in the ritual speech of Solor-Lamaholot wedding ceremonies
Abstract
Ritual speech in Austronesian wedding ceremonies is vital for preserving cultural heritage and social bonds. However, micro-linguistic documentation of parallelism in Solor-Lamaholot wedding rituals remains scarce amidst modernization pressures. This study aims to analyze the structural forms and sociocultural functions of parallelism in Solor-Lamaholot wedding ritual speech. Employing a qualitative ethnographic approach, data were collected through participant observation, audio-visual recordings, and interviews with traditional elders in Balaweling. Findings reveal three synergistic dimensions: semantic parallelism utilizing dyadic sets for cosmological balance, syntactic parallelism featuring symmetrical frames as oral legal documents, and phonological parallelism employing rhythmic cadence to establish sacred authority. Ultimately, parallelism functions not merely as poetic ornamentation, but as a crucial communicative mechanism validating customary law and reinforcing kinship bonds.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.31004/jele.v%25vi%25i.3111
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