Ambon, November 4, 2000
THE SITUATION IN AMBON / MOLUCCAS - Report no. 88
- MUSLIM VS MUSLIM? - We read in masariku@egroups.com that there
are various informations and rumours about discordance within the
muslim community, such as:
- A splitting up in factions, for instance the BBM group (those who
originally come from Buton-Bugis-Makasar), the Hatuhaha group
(dominated by Ambonese muslims who originally come from the villages
of Pelau and Kailolo on the island of Haruku, which lies immediately
east of Ambon), the Leihitu group (a gathering of muslim villages in the
northern part of Ambon island). Further a disparity between local jihad
warriors and jihads from elsewhere.
- It was reported that the day before yesterday the muslim village of
Negeri Lima (also called just Lima) attacked the muslim villages of
Ureng and Asilulu at the north-western coast of the island. Reason of
this attack is still unknown.
- DEFILEMENT OF CHURCH - Today's Siwalima newspaper reports a
sad follow-up of the destruction (during September and October) of
the christian village of Sirisori Amalatu on the island of Saparua. It has
been reported to the governor with carbon copies to Pope John Paul
II, the United Nations Board and various other persons and agencies,
that in what is left of the Sirisori church building, muslims indulge
themselves in irregular sexual activities. This statement was issued on
November 3 2000 by the vice village head of Sirisori Amalatu,
F.Uktolseja.
- FUNDS FOR PATTIMURA UNIVERSITY - 80 billion rupiahs (about US $
9,500,000.-) have been allotted to rebuild the destroyed Campus of
the Pattimura University at Poka/Ambon. These funds come from both
national and international sources, i.a. from Japan. Thus was confirmed
by the Rector of the University, Prof. Dr. Mus Huliselan. He added that
this amount was still far from enough. However, building activities can
only start if the situation allows it. Meanwhile part of the funds are
being spent on development of necessary provisional facilities.
- PELA GANDONG - There are some frequently used words and
expressions in Ambonese of which sometimes people ask what exactly
the meaning is of each of these words. For those who are interested
we herewith provide a brief explanation.
a) PELA - The word is not to be found in the dictionary. But is known
in the whole Moluccas as sort of closeness or togetherness. There
may be pela between two villages or also between two areas each
consisting of a number of villages. They have a permanent mutual
trust in each other, a sincere relation of friendship, which has peculiar
consequences such as:
- Marriages between them is not allowed (for they are like brothers and
sisters)
- If some disaster occurs to one of them (floods, earthquake, epidemic
disease etc.) one (or several) of the others come to help by
symbolically destroying the village thus abating the wrath of the gods.
On that occasion they are also free to take home any chickens, goats
and pigs (which in fact they eagerly do!).
b) GANDONG - Derived from the Indonesian KANDUNGAN which means
'womb'. Herewith is stressed that, sure, they come from one mother.
So PELA-GANDONG means: a very close brotherhood.
There is a popular nostalgic Moluccan song 'Satu hati satu gandong' =
'One heart one womb'.
c) BASUDARA - Derived from Indonesian BERSAUDARA. 'Saudara' =
brother/sister/cousin and still farther up. The prefix 'ber' always means
'having'. So 'Basudara' means 'having each other as 'saudara' =
brotherhood.
d) ALE RASA BETA RASA - the Ambonese word ALE = you; the
Ambonese word BETA (stress on the first syllable) = I / me. The
Indonesian word RASA = feel. So the meaning is: I feel what you feel.
If you have pain, I have no less pain. If you are happy, I am happy
too.
How and when will these wonderful traditional practices be restaured again?
NOTE: Since October 22 incoming e-mail via Outlook Express for Ambon
subscribers was suspended. We only received some messages via Eudora.
Those who sent messages which were not acknowledged by us, please
repeat the message, because starting today, normal connection seems to
have been restored. Thank you.
Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina
C.J.Böhm MSc,
Secretary
 Received via email from: Crisis Centre Diocese of Amboina |
