Meaning of verbal and non-verbal expressions used in javanese wedding rituals in Trenggalek

ABSTRACT

A nation always has culture. In Indonesia, especially Java Island, there are kinds of culture. Ritual is one of cultural elements. Javanese wedding ritual is a kind of ceremony in Javanese culture. Ceremony is a reflection of Javanese belief and life. Usually, ceremony realized through ritual. In this matter, a language has served in the form of expressions that used in those rituals.

Based on the phenomenon above, the writer emphazised the study on the meaning of verbal and non-verbal expressions used in Javanese Wedding rituals in Trenggalek. The purpose of the study is to explain the meaning of the expressions used in wedding rituals.

The writer chose this topic because there are some differences in using the rituals in Javanese Wedding Ceremony in Trenggalek, such as what had happened in other areas such as Gandusari and Munjungan. In addition, a study focusing on Javanese wedding rituals covering pre-wedding and wedding ceremony need to be conducted.

This study used descriptive qualitative method since it tries to describe and explain the condition of the data of the wedding rituals naturally and descriptively. In obtaining the data, the writer used some instruments to make this work easier, more efficient, practical and effective. There were two instruments used namely observation and interview.

Based on the research findings, it is concluded that Javanese wedding rituals contain valuable meaning both in the verbal and non-verbal expressions. Besides, the writer also found the categorization of the type of token as representation of non-verbal expression, they are conventional and natural symbols.

Finally, the writer hopes that this study could give contribution toward the writer himself especially, to the reader, and to further researcher in case of Javanese culture. Further researchers are hoped to conduct the research not only on Javanese wedding rituals but also any other Javanese rituals.