Not Forbidden but a Fellowship "Food": A Theological Discourse on the Dynamic Encounter between Christian and Marapu Religion in Sumba, Indonesia

This article highlights a dynamic encounter between Christians and the local religion in Sumba, Indonesia. The encounter raises the question of identity among Christians. Identity as a Sumbanese on the one hand and as a Christian on the other collides when dealing with the tradition of eating togeth...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Lolo, Irene Umbu (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: ATESEA 2022
In: Asia journal of theology
Year: 2022, Volume: 36, Issue: 2, Pages: 174-193
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Summary:This article highlights a dynamic encounter between Christians and the local religion in Sumba, Indonesia. The encounter raises the question of identity among Christians. Identity as a Sumbanese on the one hand and as a Christian on the other collides when dealing with the tradition of eating together. Before the arrival of Christianity, the tradition of sharing meat and eating together among the Sumbanese in a traditional ceremony was a form of fellowship. Animal meat that has been used as a ritual medium for ancestral spirits is then distributed to the family members. The meat was cooked and eaten together to strengthen the brotherhood/sisterhood among them. After the church’s arrival, Christians had to stay away from tribal religious traditions. With thorough investigations of cultural texts and exegesis from the biblical source of 1 Corinthians 10:23- 11:1, I argue that eating together between Christians and their tribal relatives is a theological act reflecting a Christ-imitating attitude of faith.
ISSN:2815-1828
Contains:Enthalten in: Asia journal of theology
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.54424/ajt.v36i2.21