The Role and Development of Lawas as a Traditional Literary Work in Preserving Samawa Local Wisdoms

Abstract

This paper highlights the role and development of Lawas as a traditional literary work and its preservation toward other local wisdom in Samawa. This study was a descriptive-qualitative research where the author was attempted to use the field research in the process of collecting the data. It is purposively that the participant on the interview was chosen based on the capability of the samples in apprehend Lawas and acknowledged Lawas whether as a traditional literary work or as a local wisdom that renowned to be the preserver of the other local wisdom in Samawa Island.  The result of this study showed that Lawas was primarily become the foundation of the existence of many local wisdoms in Samawa island, such as in Mataq Rame which is includes BaLawas, Ngumang, Sakeco, gandang, badede, batutir, Pangantan (marriage procession), and many kinds of procession related to local parades in Samawa. As a traditional literary work, Lawas independently become an expression medium for the society in the form of literary works and the sacred parade that is perpetuated from generation to generation. It is renowned that the creation of Lawas is based on the three foundation of life that was believed by the community and apply them in the real life. Those three foundations are acknowledging as Raboat Aji Lako Nene, Raboat Aji Inak Bapak, and Raboat Aji Lako Guru.