Sociological Review about Ehat Culture in the Preservation of Coconut Trees in The Island of Talaud

Maryam Lamadirisi

2017

Abstract

Ehat culture of the Talaud Island district is estimated to have existed since ancient time. However, it is not certain when this culture started. Now with the advancement of the society, the needs of the farmers are increasing, especially for their children's educational fees. The price of a young coconut is also higher than old coconut retailed or even after processed into copra (smoked or sun-dried coconut). With this change, is this culture still continuously preserved? Or is it started to shift? These are the questions that are going to be answered through this research. This study used a qualitative approach to describe how the Ehat culture implementation in the society. The data collection is performed through observations and interviews. The findings of the research indicate that the term Ehat is still widely known in the society, from the old to the younger generation. But as for how the Ehat was performed, especially for the punishment, can no longer be seen in daily life. In ancient time, the violators were punished by humiliation (social punishment). But now, the violators of Ehat are only fined with a fixed amount of money governed by the village rules formulated by the village government and the village elders. Nevertheless, even though the Ehat in its physical form (social punishment through humiliation) can no longer be observed in the society, but the educational value of Ehat in people's behavior can be felt in the social life in Talaud in general, and especially in the Village of Bantane. For example, if members of the society (youngsters or teenagers) are drunk as the result of drinking liquor, it is unlikely for them to disturb other people by making disturbing acts on the streets. If they do, the elders from each of their tribes will summon them and give heavy punishment to them. The Ehat culture in the form of social sanctions has assimilated into the daily life in the Talaud society. Although alcohol consumption is rather high in the Village of Bantane, there is hardly any commotion because of the shame inflicted from the social sanctions for the violators. In conclusion, Ehat still exists, but the advancement of the society has triggered the increasing needs of the farmers to accommodate their family's needs. Thus, the Ehat culture is adjusted to meet the advancement of the society and the needs of the farmers.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Lamadirisi M. (2017). Sociological Review about Ehat Culture in the Preservation of Coconut Trees in The Island of Talaud.In 2nd International Conference on Sociology Education - Volume 2: ICSE, ISBN 978-989-758-316-2, pages 488-491. DOI: 10.5220/0007111911281131

in Bibtex Style

@conference{icse17,
author={Maryam Lamadirisi},
title={Sociological Review about Ehat Culture in the Preservation of Coconut Trees in The Island of Talaud},
booktitle={2nd International Conference on Sociology Education - Volume 2: ICSE,},
year={2017},
pages={488-491},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0007111911281131},
isbn={978-989-758-316-2},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF

JO - 2nd International Conference on Sociology Education - Volume 2: ICSE,
TI - Sociological Review about Ehat Culture in the Preservation of Coconut Trees in The Island of Talaud
SN - 978-989-758-316-2
AU - Lamadirisi M.
PY - 2017
SP - 488
EP - 491
DO - 10.5220/0007111911281131