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Ritual Language and Social Meaning in Tiwah: A Semiotics Study Qalyubi, Imam; Misrita, Misrita; Li, Huli
Journal of Language and Literature Studies Vol. 6 No. 1 (2026): March
Publisher : Lembaga Penelitian dan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat (LITPAM)

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.36312/jolls.v6i1.4545

Abstract

Despite extensive scholarship on ritual symbolism, studies of Indonesian indigenous rituals have largely treated material objects as culturally meaningful entities without explaining how their meanings are structurally produced, authorized, and stabilized within ritual systems. In particular, the application of Roland Barthes’ structural semiotics to ritual language remains underdeveloped. This study investigates how linguistic authorization functions as a mechanism of semiotic closure through which material objects acquire ritual efficacy within a structured sign system. Employing a qualitative ethnographic design, data were collected through participant observation, interviews with ritual specialists (Basir and Telun), and documentation of ritual utterances and material practices in the Tiwah mortuary ceremony among Kaharingan adherents in Central Kalimantan. The analysis applies Barthes’ Expression-Relation-Content (E-R-C) framework to trace how denotative meanings are transformed into culturally regulated connotations through ritual sequencing and authorized speech. The findings demonstrate that ritual objects do not possess inherent efficacy; rather, their meanings emerge from the structured alignment of material form, ritual position, and linguistically sanctioned authority. Gold (bulau) is reconstituted from a precious metal into a cosmological mediator, while rice (behas) functions as a relational semiotic resource whose meaning is generated through ordered deployment and sequential address. By foregrounding linguistic authorization as a structural mechanism that stabilizes connotation and limits interpretive variability, this study extends Barthesian structural semiotics and offers a transferable analytical model for examining how ritual meaning is produced and governed across diverse cultural contexts of ritual language and symbolism.
Ritual Language and Social Meaning in Tiwah: A Semiotics Study Qalyubi, Imam; Misrita, Misrita; Li, Huli
Journal of Language and Literature Studies Vol. 6 No. 1 (2026): March
Publisher : Lembaga Penelitian dan Pemberdayaan Masyarakat (LITPAM)

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.36312/jolls.v6i1.4545

Abstract

Despite extensive scholarship on ritual symbolism, studies of Indonesian indigenous rituals have largely treated material objects as culturally meaningful entities without explaining how their meanings are structurally produced, authorized, and stabilized within ritual systems. In particular, the application of Roland Barthes’ structural semiotics to ritual language remains underdeveloped. This study investigates how linguistic authorization functions as a mechanism of semiotic closure through which material objects acquire ritual efficacy within a structured sign system. Employing a qualitative ethnographic design, data were collected through participant observation, interviews with ritual specialists (Basir and Telun), and documentation of ritual utterances and material practices in the Tiwah mortuary ceremony among Kaharingan adherents in Central Kalimantan. The analysis applies Barthes’ Expression-Relation-Content (E-R-C) framework to trace how denotative meanings are transformed into culturally regulated connotations through ritual sequencing and authorized speech. The findings demonstrate that ritual objects do not possess inherent efficacy; rather, their meanings emerge from the structured alignment of material form, ritual position, and linguistically sanctioned authority. Gold (bulau) is reconstituted from a precious metal into a cosmological mediator, while rice (behas) functions as a relational semiotic resource whose meaning is generated through ordered deployment and sequential address. By foregrounding linguistic authorization as a structural mechanism that stabilizes connotation and limits interpretive variability, this study extends Barthesian structural semiotics and offers a transferable analytical model for examining how ritual meaning is produced and governed across diverse cultural contexts of ritual language and symbolism.
Co-Authors Afdalia, Tiara Agus Kurniawan Ahmad Faisal Aisyah, Risfa Nur Akhmad Fauzan Akhmad Rizkhi Ridhani Alpian Sari, Muhammad Altalarik, Agel Ananda, Kartika Angrum, Alna Triskaya Anisa Anisa Arif Rahman Hakim Atalarik, Agel Aziza, Widia Sahpa Nur Bahing, Bahing Beny Endriyanto Bina, Risa Masdania Kartika Carolinaliwati, Carolinaliwati Christina Wulandari, Christina Effendi, Melisa Indrianie Elvina Elvina Erlangga Erlangga Febriza, Delia Fitriana Fitriana Givency, Christi Gurusinga, Eliana Mahesa H.K, Salamah Handayana, Eva Hasby, Nazar Hery Widijanto Ikrimah, Ikrimah Imam Qalyubi Indra Perdana Indrayanti, Lies Irine, Angelika Dhea Jaya, Hery Palangka Kaharap, Mongga Li, Huli Liebnis, Vannia Ludang, Yetri Ludang, Yetrie Ludwiqa, Chrizzya Lusiana, Andria Mardina, Tiara Mayang Meilantina Muhammad Zaini Munasikin, Munasikin Nadira, Parya Nisrina, Devie Dian Nomeritae, Nomeritae Noor, Maulida Norefendi, Norefendi Noriman, Noriman Nurhasanah Nurhasanah Nursiah Nursiah, Nursiah Nuwa, Nuwa Nyanden, Kim David Jordan Pajrian Noor Pamanalu, Analdi Parianson, Taguh Paulina, Novely Esterika Perkasa, Ikhlas Abdi Pitaloka, Sonia Pratama, Yogi Atma Putri, Julie Abiya Putri, Librina Tria Qalyubi, Imam Rachmiati, Desy Rahman, Erwan Ratnasari, Sri Endang Redin, Herry Ristati, Ristati Rizky, Lalu Muhamad Faisal Ryannor, M. Fachrul Saputri, Tiara Dwi Sari, Dina Novita Sariasi, Puspita Setialestari, Renny Siagian, Netty Sigalingging, Kevin Noven Sinaga, Denni Sinuraya, Jusak Kencana Sitompul, Theresia Friska Damayanti Situmorang, Devi Permata Sari Soraya, Rika Sriwahyuni, Riza Stefhany, Awelma Stella Nathania Stevin Carolus Angga Suaibatul Aslamiyah Suciati, Tri Aprilia Tama, Anggi Ade Tiya Thesaloga, Rino Utami, Lusi Tri Vera Amelia Wahyuningsih Usadiati Wawan Gunawan Wianie, Ramyola Arisha Yanarita, Yanarita Yoskapela, Yoskapela Yulinda, Anna Yusintha Tanduh Yusuf, Noor Syarifuddin Zulianto, Iwan Zulkarnain Zulkarnain