The Sacred Meanings of Yearly “Dreadlock Haircut Ritual” As A Blessing Expectation for Dieng Plateau Society

¹ English Department, Faculty of Humanities, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia
² English Department, Faculty of Humanities, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia
³ English Department, Faculty of Humanities, Diponegoro University, Semarang, Indonesia

Abstract

This research paper discusses the Javanese yearly ritual culturally conducted to cut dreadlock hair of Dieng children in the glorified first month of Arabic calendar. The sacral ritual has been long preserved since Dieng native people believe that “dreadlock haircut ritual” is functioned to primarily drive away bad luck, calamity, and life uncertainty for the children when they grow up as well as a blessing expectation for local people life prosperity and happiness. This research is conducted by using descriptive-qualitative research method with profound observation in collecting the related data. The result of the research indicates that yearly “dreadlock haircut ritual”, as a matter of fact, has various sacred meanings in terms of psychological-social-cultural perspective, sukerto children, ritual procession, ritual attributes, and salvation ritual.