Tradisi Lisan “Rajah” Pengobatan pada Masyarakat Aceh: Kajian Antropolinguistik

Abstract

The objective of this research is to describe the performance and to evaluate the meaning as well as the function of medication using "rajah" (traditional spell or incantations). This research is conducted in three villages, namely Cot Murong, Cot Lagan, and Suak Trieng in Woyla Subdistrict, Aceh Barat Regency. The research uses descriptive qualitative method with ethnographic model and Anthropolinguistics approach. Data collection techniques are observation, documentation and interviews. The research results show that there are 4 medication "rajah" used for traditional medication, namely Rajah Seumapa, Rajah Mata Timoeh, Rajah Ceugong Bu, and Rajah Seumanya. These four medication rajah have themes of exorcism and disposal of supernatural entities using text structure consisting of an opening, body and closing; involving transmitter (Tabib/traditional healer), message (texts of the Rajah), and receiver (supernatural entity). As to the context, medication rajah is a medium of communication between the healer and the supernatural entity, with the presence of paralinguistics, proxemics, kinetics and materials and/or traditional ingredients related to the disease being treated. Context of medication Rajah reflects the cultural, social, situational and ideological context of Acehnese society. Rajah is defined as the medication conducted by removing and expelling supernatural entities that cause the disease. The function of Rajah is to be used as healing; however, apart from that, there are 5 other functions of Rajah, namely conative function, referential function, phatic function, emotive function, and poetic function in the text of the Rajah. This research concludes that the performance of medication Rajah is in form of utterances produced by the performer (Tabib) to expel and remove supernatural entities. Then, Rajah is defined as a traditional medication performed by expelling and removing supernatural entities. The function of medication Rajah is as a cure for diseases.