 Three Alorese men, unknown date. | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 44,000[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Indonesia (Alor Archipelago) | |
| Languages | |
| Alorese,Alor Malay, andIndonesian | |
| Religion | |
| Islam (majority) andChristianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Abui • Blagar • Kui |
TheAlorese people, also known asBaranusa,[2] are anethnic group that inhabits the west coast ofAlor, the northern part ofPantar, andPura inAlor Regency,East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia.[3] The name of Alor Island is taken from the name of this ethnic group. The residential area covers several districts, namely Teluk Mutiara, Northwest Alor, Southwest Alor, Pura Island, Pantar, West Pantar, and Northwest Pantar. The inhabited areas are mostly coastal areas, with a small portion being hilly and mountainous with varying degrees of slope.[4]
Based on genetic research by theEijkman Institute for Molecular Biology which began in 2003 with blood samples from 97 representatives of ethnic groups in Alor, including Alorese people. The Indigenous peoples of Alor have 90 percentPapuan genetic motifs and 10 percentAustronesian motifs. Examination usingY chromosome markers used to determine kinship through the male line supports this evidence. This is also in line with the linguistic aspects and oral stories believed by local residents.[5]
Themother tongue used by the Alorese people is mainlyAlorese language.[1] Unlike other indigenous peoples of Alor, the Alorese people are the only speakers ofAustronesian language, the others speak non-Austronesian languages from theAlor–Pantar language family.[6] In addition,Indonesia andAlor Malay areintermediary languages between the Alorese people and other ethnic groups.[7]
Like otherethnic groups in Indonesia, the Alorese people also have akinship system that has existed since ancient times. The following are several groups based on kinship within the Alorese people.
The Alorese people currently generally adhere to theAbrahamic religions, namelyIslam as the majority religion, withChristianity having a significant number of adherents. However, not a few of the Alorese people adhere to combining it with native beliefs. The following are some natural elements in the native beliefs of the Alorese people.[8]
Thespread of Islam to theAlor Archipelago, especially among the Alorese people, cannot be separated from the role of the envoys of theSultanate of Ternate in the 15th century.[9] TheyIslamized the northern coastal area of the Alor Archipelago known as Galiau Watang Lema, namely the alliance of five kingdoms which included Pandai, Blagar, and Baranusa inPantar, as well as Kui and Bungabali inAlor.[10]
One of the famous traditional dances of the Alor tribe is thelego-lego dance, also calledsohhe ordarriz.[11] This dance is performed in a mass setting where people hold hands and form a circle, and surround three stacked stones called amesbah by singing songs in theAlorese language. Usually this dance is performed all night accompanied bygong andmoko.[11]
In every traditional ceremony or daily activity, the Alorese people usually serves traditional foods, namelyjagung bose andjagung titi, a food preparation made from corn.
Traditional songs of the Alorese people includeEti Lola,Handek, andHeelora.
The Alorese people have a unique musical instrument similar to a drum and called amoko. This musical instrument is usually used as a complement in traditional ceremonies. Themoko is a product ofBronze Age culture. Apart from that,moko is also usually used as a dowry (belis).[11]
The Alorese people believe thatmoko comes from the earth and is only owned by nobles because of its very high value. Therefore, it is almost certain that no other ethnic groups in theIndonesian Archipelago collectsmoko in large quantities like the ethnic groups in Alor. That's whyAlor Island is nicknamed "the island of a thousand moko".[11]
In the Alorese people, there are several traditional marriage systems, including marriage with the payment ofbelis 'dowry' in cash which begins with the proposal process and non-cashbelis payments. Then there are several other marriages, namely "girl swaps" and "tied marriages".
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