The Huler Wair Ritual in the Tradition of the Sikka Community
Author: Marissa Ananias
The Huler Wair ritual as a form of welcoming guests in the village
The Huler Wair ritual is a traditional ceremony practiced by the people of Sikka, Flores, to welcome guests and to pray for their protection from danger. This tradition represents a form of respect for visitors while also expressing prayers for their safety and peace during their stay
The ritual is usually performed by the landowner or a respected figure in the village, known as the Moang Puluh. A Moang Puluh must be skilled in traditional verses known as Kleteng Latar. Kleteng Latar consists of poetic chants that contain prayers and hopes that the guests will be granted safety and kept away from harm.
One of the verses recited in the ritual is:
Blatang wi'ing ganu wair wali napung, blirang wi'ing ganu bao gana bao wali wolong."
This verse means:
"Cool like water, like water flowing in the river. Calm and refreshing like a banyan tree, like a banyan tree growing in the hills."
A young coconut that has been pierced and huler leaves (the local Sikka name for the leaf).
During the ritual, a woman holdes huler leaves and a young coconut whose top has been opened. After the prayer is recited, the Moang Puluh sprinkles the young coconut water toward the guests using the huler leaves. This act is known a bewar, symbolizing purification and protection from danger.
Besides welcoming guests, the Huler Wair ritual is also performed during various important moments in community life. It may take place when welcoming newly blessed couples after their marriage ceremony, receiving family members who return home after a long time away, celebrating a child's First Holy Communion, as well as blessing a newly built house or a newly purchased vehicle, such as a motorcycle or car.
Note: If a young coconut is not available, it can be replaced with ordinary water. However, traditionally and culturally, the use of young coconut is considered more sacred.
The Huler Wair ritual used in various welcoming ceremonies, such assssssssssssssss for vehiles, the welcoming of the cross in Catholic rituals, and other ceremonial events.
The leadership of the ritual also depends on the scope of the event. When Huler Wair is performed to welcome important guests at the village, institutional, or orgnizational level, the ritual is usually led by the Moang Puluh as the respected custodian of customary traditions
However, when the ritual takes place within the family circle, such as during weddings, family homecomings, or the blessing of a new house or vehicle, it is usually led by the eldest member of the household or the most respected family member.
The Juler Wair ritual is therefore not merely a form of welcoming ceremony, but also an expression of prayer, respect, and hope for protection. Whether led by a Moang Puluj in large community gatherings or by an elder within the family, the essence of the ritual remains the same to seek blessings, peace, and protection so that those who are welcomed may alwaysbe kept safe from harm.