The only one in Indonesia, maybe even the only one in the world. Where ancient objects become so respectable goods, barter instruments, and social status symbols in society. This is the tradition in Alor Island that is included in the territory of East Nusa Tenggara Province. Very unique, impressive, and so inviting we explore more deeply.
Alor Island, in addition to storing the natural beauty of the underwater is so fascinating, also save one of the stunning tradition. Did you know, Alor Island also nicknamed 1000 Moko island? Surely you ask, what is Moko? Before discussing further, let's get to know Moko first.
Moko or also called nekara bronze is a cultural object of pre-history. According to archaeologists and history experts, Moko Alor's manufacturing technology comes from bronze technology in Dongson, northern Vietnam. Then this technology spread to various regions in Southeast Asia, including to the island of Alor. The question is, how did Moko from Vietnam get to Alor in the thousands in the past?
Perhaps, Moko-moko was brought in by traders from China in the past to be exchanged for commodities from the region (spice-producing regions like the Banda Islands and Maluku). There could be a fleet of merchant vessels that were stranded in Alor waters, and ran out of supplies. The bronze nekara they brought as a medium of exchange, were eventually exchanged for the main food commodities of Alor, namely walnuts, and corn. This happened 1000 years ago, and the walnut trade was also corn continued to be exchanged with Moko. Be, Alor Island became the island with the largest collection of Moko until now, although there is no history of this island produces items of bronze.
Physically, moko shaped like a hand drum with a diameter of 40 cm to 60 cm and height 80 cm to 100 cm and has a variety of shapes and designs, including ornaments typical of Indochina such as elephants and other ornaments, which vary. In general, Moko is oval shaped like a small drum, but there is also a large drum shape.
The pattern of the ornaments varies greatly in the age of manufacture and is very similar to those in Java at the time of Majapahit. which are diverse. In general, Moko is oval shaped like a small drum, but there is also a large drum shape. The pattern of ornaments varies greatly in the age of manufacture and is very similar to bronze objects in Java during the Majapahit era.
It is said that Ferdinand Magellan, a great sailor from the Portuguese had come to this island while sailing back from Maluku to Europe on January 12, 1522. In Alor, Magellan saw there was a tradition that attracted his attention. Namely the dowry bridegroom bridegroom bride to the bride. Dowries are given unlike most places elsewhere in the archipelago, which are usually farm animals or pets. In Alor, people use hereditary relics that are stored in relay. Namely Moko.
The use of Moko as a dowry in Alor society continues to be maintained until now, and has been going on for centuries. Almost every family in Alor, especially the island's original people, keeps at least one Moko at home. Moko is a very valuable item whose value will continue to grow over time. Can you imagine, how many tens of thousands of Moko stored on the island of Alor with a population of about 200 thousand inhabitants.
One moko can cost 50 million! This price, they argue, deserves to remember the importance of marriage bonds, which will unite the various families.
An anthropologist named Cora Dubois once researched Moko. He stated that Moko has 4 functions namely; first, Moko as a symbol of social status. Having a certain amount and type of Moko shows a person's social status in society. This Moko possession has a high and respected social status. Even people who have this Moko in a certain amount will have an effect in any traditional leadership.
Second, Moko as dowry. A man who was about to get married handed some Moko to a woman's family. If the male family does not have Moko, then the family they have to borrow moko to Elder Adat. This loan is not free, because the men's family must replace it with some amount of money. Indeed, the price of one Moko is very varied, depending on the size of the size of Moko, the year of manufacture and the pattern of hiasnya. But for the people of Alor, moko can not be measured by any amount of money because once again Moko has its own position and value in the social community.
Third, Moko as an economic means of exchange. Since the first Alor people know Moko as a means of exchange like money. In this case Moko can be exchanged with certain goods in barter. This is what caused inflation during the Dutch colonial government so that the Dutch made a new system by restricting the circulation of Moko and even supposedly intend to throw the moko-moko into the sea.
Fourth, according to its function, namely as a musical instrument. Moko can replace the function of drum made of bark and animal skin. Gong and Moko musical instruments are usually played for dance accompaniment. In the perspective of Alor people, the plat-shaped Gong in a facial position is a symbol of femininity. While Moko is round in a standing position is a symbol of masculinity.
All things related Moko, you can get in the Museum 1000 Moko in the town of Kalabahi, the capital of Alor Regency. This museum stores various types and forms of Moko from antiquity.
A bit of Alor Island is not big, but keeps the history and pride of the thrill. Come visit Alor, explore this 1000 Moko Island. If using air transportation, you have to transit at El Tari Airport, Kupang, then continue the flight to Mali Alor Airport with the aircraft propeller for 1 hour. Arriving on the island of Alor you can use land transportation to the Museum of Alor or traditional traditional village in Takpala or Monbang, where the people very firmly adhere to this Moko tradition.