<![CDATA[The indigenous people of Negeri Neniari Gunung, West Seram, view traditional houses or Baileo as more than just physical structures, but rather centers of cultural sacredness whose essence must be consistently maintained amidst the tide of modernization. This study aims to analyze the symbolic meaning behind the ritual of laying the first stone of a traditional house through an in-depth ethnographic study. Using a qualitative approach with a phenomenological paradigm, this study involved the king of the village, traditional leaders, and the community as key informants. The research stages were carried out systematically, including field observations and in-depth interviews, which were then processed through a process of data reduction, presentation, and drawing objective conclusions. The research findings reveal that the laying of the first stone is a sacred symbol of beginnings, functioning as a form of respect for ancestors and asking for blessings from God for collective salvation. Philosophically, the stone symbolizes the foundation of life and the steadfastness of customary principles passed down from generation to generation. In addition to the spiritual dimension, the preservation of this ritual is interpreted as an embodiment of civic culture that strengthens the values of participation, mutual cooperation, and adherence to social norms. This ritual also serves as a strategic civic education medium for the younger generation, helping them internalize social responsibility and national identity. The main conclusion emphasizes that this ceremony is not merely a technical ceremony, but rather a solid foundation for social order and strengthening community character, deeply rooted in local wisdom. ABSTRAK Masyarakat adat di Negeri Neniari Gunung, Seram Bagian Barat, memandang rumah adat atau Baileo bukan sekadar konstruksi fisik, melainkan pusat sakralitas budaya yang esensinya harus dijaga secara konsisten di tengah arus modernisasi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis makna simbolik di balik ritual peletakan batu pertama rumah adat melalui studi etnografi yang mendalam. Menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan paradigma fenomenologi, penelitian ini melibatkan raja negeri, tokoh adat, serta masyarakat sebagai informan kunci. Tahapan penelitian dilaksanakan secara sistematis meliputi observasi lapangan dan wawancara mendalam, yang kemudian diolah melalui proses reduksi, penyajian data, serta penarikan simpulan objektif. Temuan penelitian mengungkapkan bahwa peletakan batu pertama merupakan simbol awal yang sakral, berfungsi sebagai bentuk penghormatan terhadap leluhur dan permohonan restu kepada Tuhan demi keselamatan kolektif. Secara filosofis, batu tersebut melambangkan dasar kehidupan dan keteguhan prinsip adat yang diwariskan secara turun-temurun. Selain dimensi spiritual, pelestarian ritual ini dimaknai sebagai pengejawantahan civic culture yang memperkuat nilai partisipasi, gotong royong, dan kepatuhan terhadap norma sosial. Ritual ini juga bertindak sebagai media pendidikan kewargaan yang strategis bagi generasi muda untuk menginternalisasi tanggung jawab sosial dan jati diri negeri. Simpulan utama menegaskan bahwa upacara ini bukan sekadar seremoni teknis, melainkan fondasi kokoh bagi keteraturan sosial dan penguatan karakter masyarakat yang berakar kuat pada nilai kearifan lokal.]]>
