This article relies largely or entirely on a single source .(May 2023) |
Tanimbar | |
---|---|
![]() Tanimbarese traditional orchestra and dance. | |
Regions with significant populations | |
![]() ![]() | |
Languages | |
Ambonese Malay, Indonesian, Seluarsa language, Selaru language, Yamdena language, Fordata language | |
Religion | |
Christianity (Protestantism, Catholicism), Islam | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Melanesians, Polynesians, Moluccans |
Tanimbar people are an Indonesian ethnic group of mixed Austronesian and Melanesian in island of Tanimbar origin. They are majority Christians followed by Muslims.
The name Tanimbar originated from the word Tanempar in Yamdena language or Tnebar in Fordata language meaning 'stranded'. [1]
Tanimbar local society and social structure is based on the traditions called Duan Lolat . Fundamentally Duan Lolat is the marriage tradition of the Tanimbarese, the groom and his family as "the ones receiving female" are called Lolat, while the bride's family as "the ones giving female" are called Duan. Duan will be the superior, while Lolat will be the subordinate in this relationship. The bride price that needs to be payed by the Lolat are sopi traditional alcoholic drinks, loran precious metals, belusu bracelet made from boar tusk or ivory, mas bulan gold, somalai headdress made from bird-of-paradise feather, and ivory tusk though this has been switched to money considering its rarity. Usually the Lolat family members work collectively to obtain these precious items to be given to the Duan. [2] [3]