Electronic Journal of Folklore: Folklore Vol. 85. https://www.folklore.ee/folklore/vol85/
PDF: https://www.folklore.ee/folklore/vol85/danerek.pdf
https://doi.org/10.7592/FEJF2022.85.danerek
Abstract: This article examines the Palu’e Tata liba ceremony with the help of
multimedia research documentation, participant observation, and comparison
with other local ceremonies. The form and performance, including reasons and
effects, are described and analysed. On Palu’e, a person who is ill, or who has
tried medicines without results, wonders if he/she has done something wrong ac-
cording to custom or toward fellow human beings, and can request one of several
ceremonies or healing genres. Tata liba is integrated into a holistic system of
general health and can also be performed preventively for good feelings and the
maintaining of good relations. The ancestors are called upon with ritual language,
shown to exhibit semantic parallelism, to heal the participants’ suffering rela-
tions and possible ill health. The overcoming of negative feelings is symbolically
displayed by wiping the participants with water, throwing rice grains behind the
back, and spitting in a coconut bowl. The main objective is to achieve harmony
within or between families, and there is no argumentation or chronological issues
producing a win-win situation.
Keywords: ancestors, folklore, healing, medical anthropology, Palu’e, reconcili-
ation, semantic parallelism, traditional ceremony
