"Pakon". A Forgotten Tradition from Lombok
Á. Laki
Rocznik Orientalistyczny/Yearbook of Oriental Studies November 6, 2023 DOI: 10.24425/ro.2020.135023 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Historical analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that a banned spirit possession ceremony on Lombok shares ceremonial equipment, symbols, and healing functions with similar traditions in late colonial Malaysia, suggesting possible direct and indirect historical connections between the Sasak and Malay peoples, including through the Bugis-Makassarese. |
Abstract
This article discusses an unknown tradition from the Malay Archipelago, namely the island of Lombok. The article describes a spirit possession ceremony, as it was practised in East Lombok before being subject to a ban in 1984. It also explains the reasons for prohibition and explores a recent revival of the tradition. The discussion draws a parallel with similar traditions from late colonial Malaysia. Aside from similar functions as healing rites, the traditions many times use the same ceremonial equipment during the ceremonies and have identical symbols. This encourages us to look for connections between the Sasaks in Lombok and the Malays in Malaysia and Sumatra. The article suggests some direct connections between the two, but also takes indirect connections into consideration, for example, the rule of the Bugis-Makassarese people, who played an important role in both of these corners of the archipelago.