The Tradition of Honoring the Death and Respect for the Corpse of a Covid-19 Patient in Manggarai

Abstract

. The Covid-19 pandemic has caused the death of loved ones. This study will highlight changes or shifts in the implementation of traditional rituals in honoring the corpses caused by Covid-19 in Manggarai. Through a literature approach and field studies, this research found that: 1) the Manggarai people respect the dead so as not to be disturbed by the spirits of the dead, 2) the ritual of honoring the dead involves the presence of the entire extended family (Wa'u, Anak rona and Anak Wina) as well as other residents in the village, 3) the traditional ritual of honoring corpses in Manggarai is contrary to the health protocol rules that prohibit people from gathering, 4) there are shifts and changes in the implementation of the death ritual during the Covid-19 pandemic in Manggarai, 5) the changes are related to the place and time of the ritual implementation and 6) the changes only affect the social aspect of the ritual but does not reduce its spiritual dimension. This paper argues that in the death of a loved one, the bereaved family is in dire need of social and spiritual assistance. The traditional ritual of honoring the corpse in Manggarai is a response and a way to overcome the pressure/depression due to the death of a loved one. With this ritual, the bereaved family gets support from others and experiences spiritual comfort. The shift and change in rituals during the Covid-19 period occurred as long as it did not reduce the comfort and spiritual satisfaction of the bereaved family. It concludes that in the death of a loved one, the bereaved family desperately needs spiritual comfort rather than social support.