1/09/17

SAGI IS A TRADITIONAL BOXING IN SUB-DISTRICT SOA NGADA EAST NUSA TENGGARA

                                           SAGI
(TRADITIONAL BOXING IN Sub-DISTRICT SOA NGADA, EAST  NUSA TENGGARA)

Sagi is a traditional boxing ceremony held in sub - district Soa Ngada regency.
Sagi is a part of yearly thanksgiving celebration to the ancestors. In additional, Sagi is a means of communication as well as strenghten the social bonds among villagers. This is a cultural attraction which has been passed on for generation. The event is held periodically on certai dates and move from one village to another. The Sagi or traditional boxing also serves the two men racing each other in the center of of an open field, wearing traditional sarongs, their upper body bare.

The boxer hands are covered with a local kind of glove (kepo). The Kepo is always made from palm fibers glued together with a sticky liquid made out of palm sap. A wild crowd gathers around the arena and cheer for their heroes. A strike is a strike back. The Sagi action is about 2 or 3 minutes. The rounds depend on the readiness of the boxers. 

This event is starting from Mengeruda, Piga, Tarawaja/Wulilade, Libunio, Masu and Loa. This event is usually held from March until June as anually event. The series of ceremony must be done by local leader is called "Mori Raghu Sagi". Tje first step of ceremony is the local leader hangs the Siri and Pinang (areca nut) "Teo Heu" on a menhir made from wood (Peo) continued eating Siri Pinang and get meals ( Nalo).

The ritual contains singing in local language or (Tau Pata). The next part of time conducting the traditional dance (Dero). These rituals are singing and danxing as a mass ritual. Tne location is where the Dero conducting is called (loka) or a field for mass dancing. The Dero runs in one time in the evening. The villagers or families use this moment for engaging the couple which done tne ritual is called (Idi Weti) or offer tne Siri Pinang as a symbol of engaging for the couple. Tne next day Sagi is held in the inner part of village (Kisanata). This area is used for two groups on the east and west part of village (Ulu Eko). In Kisanata the Melo or Ye of tne local boxers. The personal of Sagi ceremony are the boxers (Ata Sagi), Two people as the guards ( Sike/Zo) of the boxers. They have a responsibility of safety boxers. The Sike should be balance and do not have a block of two boxers, they should be fair. The other one is a refree (Dheo Woe) as the leader on the match or Sagi. The closing ceremony is in the afternoon which cut the coconut (Kela Nio) is called Sogo. In the Sogo time the light should not be turned on. Sogo means that villagers want to know the harvest for the next year in a good or bad result.

Adapted from Https:Indahnyaflores.blogspot.co.id.2013

By WARA CYPRYANO
English Education Department
Postgraduate Study Program
Ganesha University of Education

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