Telling the Landscape: Place and Meaning in Sunda (West Java)
In West Java, hamlets are defined by locally significant spirit entities and the tales associated with them, both positive and negative. Indeed, the places where these spirits are localized bear witness to the truth of the tales, which in turn change what would otherwise be a rock, cave, or grave in...
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| Gepubliceerd in: | URI:https://journals.openedition.org/moussons, |
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| Hoofdauteur: | |
| Formaat: | Article ou chapitre numérique |
| Taal: | Anglais |
| Gepubliceerd in: |
Moussons
2017
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| Onderwerpen: | |
| Online toegang: | Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM |
| Samenvatting: | In West Java, hamlets are defined by locally significant spirit entities and the tales associated with them, both positive and negative. Indeed, the places where these spirits are localized bear witness to the truth of the tales, which in turn change what would otherwise be a rock, cave, or grave into a spiritually significant object. Through knowledge of them and participation in rituals associated with them, the people of the hamlets become defined as social persons who, along with others, continue to acknowledge the rules and prescriptions laid down by the ancestors. In the past these spirits, especially the ancestors and the hamlet’s guardian, were seen as intimately involved in the daily lives of the inhabitants of the hamlet. Although these beliefs may seem to be in decline as a result of the influence of modernity, schools, and religious teaching, the inhabitants of these hamlets, when facing crises in their lives, still come to these significant locations to seek relief from their troubles. Over time, the nature of the beliefs and the perception of the spirit entities have changed, leading some to relative disregard while others receive enhanced Islamic emphasis. Even though the people, the place, and the tales have changed, the stories remain local, maintaining their significance for those who live there. |
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