Maintaining Vera in Rongga: Struggles over Culture, Tradition, and Language in Modern Manggarai, Flores, Indonesia

What is it about?

The introduction of modern religion has had a devaluing effect on the local indigenous belief and knowledge (further discussed in relation to Vera below). However, recent rapid development and modernization, especially during Soeharto’s era (starting in late 1960s), has also imposed heavy pressure on Rongga language and culture, resulting in accelerated unprecedented marginalization and imminent loss of certain traditional genres. In this chapter I report the shrinking of linguistic and cultural resources in Rongga based on field experiences in Flores (2004–6). I examine the transmission of Vera, a ritual dance with singing,which is often regarded by the Rongga people as their unique identity. The aim of the chapters is, first, to provide a description of Vera, outlining its socio-cultural and historical significance for the Rongga people in the context of modern Manggarai Indonesia. It will be shown that Vera is losing its appeal with the younger generation and is a threatened ritual. The second aim, related to the first, is to show that Vera needs proper documentation, and that thismust be done in the context of modern language and cultural documentation. Finally, the chapters also aims at discussing the complexity, challenges and prospect of maintaining Vera within broader language maintenance and revitalization projects.

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