MENGUNGKAP RITUAL MECARU SEBAGAI KETAHANAN BUDAYA LOKAL ETNIS BALI DI KABUPATEN LANGKAT -

Abstract

Caru in Old Javanese (Kawi) means: sacrifice (animal), while 'Caru' in Sanskrit means 'balance/harmony'. When strung together, it can be interpreted: Caru is a sacrifice (animal) to ask for balance and harmony. The 'balance/harmony' in question is the realization of 'Trihita Karana', namely the balance and harmony of human relations with God (parahyangan), fellow human beings in pawongan, and with the universe (palemahan). The purpose of this research is to find out the process of the mecaru ritual and to describe how mecaru can survive among the Balinese ethnicity amidst the rapid socio-cultural development. The method used is descriptive qualitative with data collection techniques in the form of observation, interviews, and documentation, data analysis in the form of data collection, data reduction, final analysis to get conclusions. The results of the study revealed that the mecaru ritual process is always in accordance with the rules believed by Hindus in general, namely one of the offerings given in the mecaru ritual is fire, water, fruit, flowers and chicken. This ritual is usually carried out at 5 pm to 6.30 minutes at the 4 or 3 intersection in front of the house. The strategy carried out by the Balinese people in Langkat in maintaining the mecara ritual as local cultural resilience in Langkat is to continue to carry out various ceremonies, traditions and customs according to the teachings of Hindus in Denpasar, Bali.