The Alorese people, also known as Baranusa,[2] are an ethnic group that inhabits the west coast of Alor, the northern part of Pantar, and Pura in Alor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.[3] The name of Alor Island is taken from the name of this ethnic group. The residential area covers several districts, namely Teluk Mutiara, Northwest Alor, Southwest Alor, Pura Island, Pantar, West Pantar, and Northwest Pantar. The inhabited areas are mostly coastal areas, with a small portion being hilly and mountainous with varying degrees of slope.[4]
Based on genetic research by the Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology which began in 2003 with blood samples from 97 representatives of ethnic groups in Alor, including Alorese people. The Indigenous peoples of Alor have 90 percent Papuan genetic motifs and 10 percent Austronesian motifs. Examination using Y chromosome markers used to determine kinship through the male line supports this evidence. This is also in line with the linguistic aspects and oral stories believed by local residents.[5]
Like other ethnic groups in Indonesia, the Alorese people also have a kinship system that has existed since ancient times. The following are several groups based on kinship within the Alorese people.
Hieta, membership is calculated through the patrilineal principle.
Fengfala, all descendants of the father's and mother's older siblings.
Nengfala, cross-cousins on the mother's side.
Religion
The Alorese people currently generally adhere to the Abrahamic religions, namely Islam as the majority religion, with Christianity having a significant number of adherents. However, not a few of the Alorese people adhere to combining it with native beliefs. The following are some natural elements in the native beliefs of the Alorese people.[8]
Larra or lera are the names for 'sun'
Wulang are the names for 'moon'
Neda are the names for 'river'
Addi are the names for 'forest'
Hari are the names for 'sea'
Nayaning lahatal are the names for 'God'
The spread of Islam to the Alor Archipelago, especially among the Alorese people, cannot be separated from the role of the envoys of the Sultanate of Ternate in the 15th century.[9] They Islamized the northern coastal area of the Alor Archipelago known as Galiau Watang Lema, namely the alliance of five kingdoms which included Pandai, Blagar, and Baranusa in Pantar, as well as Kui and Bungabali in Alor.[10]
Culture
Traditional dances
One of the famous traditional dances of the Alor tribe is the lego-lego dance, also called sohhe or darriz.[11] This dance is performed in a mass setting where people hold hands and form a circle, and surround three stacked stones called a mesbah by singing songs in the Alorese language. Usually this dance is performed all night accompanied by gong and moko.[11]
Traditional foods
In every traditional ceremony or daily activity, the Alorese people usually serves traditional foods, namely jagung bose and jagung titi, a food preparation made from corn.
Traditional songs
Traditional songs of the Alorese people include Eti Lola, Handek, and Heelora.
Musical instruments
A moko from Pantar, made around the 3rd to 2nd centuries BC.
The Alorese people have a unique musical instrument similar to a drum and called a moko. This musical instrument is usually used as a complement in traditional ceremonies. The moko is a product of Bronze Age culture. Apart from that, moko is also usually used as a dowry (belis).[11]
The Alorese people believe that moko comes from the earth and is only owned by nobles because of its very high value. Therefore, it is almost certain that no other ethnic groups in the Indonesian Archipelago collects moko in large quantities like the ethnic groups in Alor. That's why Alor Island is nicknamed "the island of a thousand moko".[11]
Traditional marriage
In the Alorese people, there are several traditional marriage systems, including marriage with the payment of belis 'dowry' in cash which begins with the proposal process and non-cash belis payments. Then there are several other marriages, namely "girl swaps" and "tied marriages".
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