Yulianus Irwan

The maniac’s machete gleamed in the moonlight as he ran slashing madly from house to house through the village, his terrifying screams resounding through the lanes. Panicked villagers fled wildly as his manic screams never stopped, until finally the cool hand of my roommate slowly shook me out of my nightmare as he passed by my bed. I was woken earlier than usual from my deep sleep, a very satisfying one which was unusual while I was away from home, but fractured by a combination of dreams connected to facts. The screams in my dreams actually came from neighbours drinking “ sopi ” (a local alcoholic drink) from their “Penti” thanksgiving ceremony. I also slowly realized I wasn’t at home, but in the house of Pastor Ino Sutam. I needed a warm drink when I woke up. I made sure I had my sarong with me as I threaded my way quietly through those still sleeping on the floor nearby, as the morning was cold in this mountain village of Tere, our last stop before trekking to Golo Mompong. I w

A ceremony is a time when all relatives get together again. For married women, the ceremony is a very appropriate time to see families who have been left behind since marriage and mainly because of the Manggaraian culture which requires women to follow their husbands after marriage. Just 3 years ago in September, all my relatives from the village came to Ruteng to get involved in the a ceremony to prepare for the wedding. It was the first time my family held a “ Kumpul Kope ” ceremony or a ceremony that aims to collect dowry. In this ceremony, relatives brought some money and animals such as chickens and pigs. These main items are collected as the dowry which will be brought to the bride's family on the day of the wedding or known as " Belis ".    Relatives who had known previously that the ceremony would be held in Ruteng felt it was right to see how the city looked like. Some relatives came with their children only because the children screamed for their mothers t