<![CDATA[The focus of this paper is to elaborate the contextual theology — specifically, the contextual Christology — of the Dayak Desa people as revealed through the Tolak Bala ritual. The Tolak Bala ritual, practiced by the Dayak Desa community in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, contains local wisdom concerning the protection of human life, salvation, and the relational harmony between human beings, the spiritual forces surrounding them, and the Supreme Reality (Petara). The methodology employed in this study is a critical reading within a synthetic/dialectical model. By using a critical reading of the Tolak Bala ritual data (collected through interviews and examinations of relevant anthropological studies), the author finds that the local wisdom of the Dayak Desa can illuminate and explain elements of the Catholic faith concerning Jesus the Savior in three aspects. First, Jesus the Savior can be understood as the integral Savior of the human person and all creation. Second, Jesus the Savior can be viewed as the Redeemer and Mediator who renews the relationship between humanity, creation, and God. Third, Jesus the Savior can be understood as the communal Savior of all members of the community.]]>
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