<![CDATA[This study examines how traditional rituals in Eastern Indonesia function as symbolic arenas for representing and legitimizing power within indigenous communities. Using a qualitative ethnographic approach, data were collected through participant observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation involving traditional leaders, ritual specialists, elders, youth, and women participants. The findings show that ritual hierarchy, sacred objects, spiritual beliefs, and adaptive cultural practices collectively reinforce authority and sustain social order. Power is reproduced not only through visible leadership structures but also through symbolic meanings embedded in ritual performances, sacred materiality, and collective obedience. The study also reveals that ritual systems remain adaptive, accommodating generational, technological, and gender-related changes without losing symbolic legitimacy. These findings contribute to cultural anthropology by demonstrating that rituals operate as dynamic systems of symbolic governance. The study offers theoretical insights into symbolic power and practical implications for cultural preservation, indigenous governance, and policy development in culturally diverse societies.]]>
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