Unveiling the Meanings of Ritual Offerings in Solat Montok and Solat Mosak Ceremonies: A Lived Experience from the Traditional Holders’ Perspectives

Abstract

This study aims to clarify the symbolic meanings of par (ritual offerings) used in the Solat Montokand Solat Mosak ceremonies within the Gawai Serumpun Tampun Juah tradition, as understood by traditionalknowledge custodians. The study employed a qualitative phenomenological approach to examineparticipants' life experiences. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with Dayak communityleaders and active participants, augmented by direct observation of the ceremonial procedures. The findingsdemonstrate that both rituals include intricate symbolic meanings related to gratitude, ancestral veneration,and communal cohesion. In Solat Montok, offerings include rice, pulut empiga, sungki, grilled chicken, tuak,and cigarettes, symbolizing patience, sacrifice, communal harmony, and veneration of ancestors. In SolatMosak, the same features appear in many forms, including boiling pork, pork with vegetables, pansuh pork,fried pork, tubi siap, and jorua, reflecting simplicity, human-nature relations, local wisdom, creativity, andknowledge of food preservation. While both ceremonies hold essential meanings, differences in foodpreparation signify distinct cultural values. These findings highlight ritual offerings as cultural symbols thatmaintain collective memory, ecological knowledge, and social cohesion within Dayak rituals. Future studiesshould conduct comparative evaluations of more Dayak sub-ethnic traditions or examine the evolution ofthese symbolic practices within contemporary cultural contexts.