Ethnotheology of Kosu Dance: Reconstruction of the Meaning of Syukur Amarasi Within the Framework of Multicultural Christian Religious Education

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FORMOSA NEWS - Kupang - Bridging Faith and Tradition: How the Amarasi Kosu Dance Reshapes Modern Christian Education. Traditional cultural practices hold deep spiritual wisdom that can transform modern education and community solidarity. A breakthrough study conducted by Febrina Norliantyn Atty from the Universitas Kristen Indonesia analyzes the Kosu Dance of the Amarasi tribe in Kupang Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). Published in May 2026, this ethnotheological research demonstrates how indigenous rituals can be integrated into Multicultural Christian Religious Education (CRE) to counter modern individualism and foster communal generosity.

The Cultural Context of the Kosu Dance
In many modern societies, cultural dances are viewed merely as entertainment or artistic spectacles. However, the Kosu Dance serves a vital liturgical and social function within the Amarasi community. It is performed as the climax of traditional wedding ceremonies, immediately following the completion of the dowry (belis) procession and the communal feast. During the ritual, the bride and groom sit in full traditional attire at the center of the arena. Community members, including extended family, neighbors, and guests, dance toward the couple following the rhythm of gongs and drums. In a solemn moment, each participant gently places money directly onto the heads of the newlyweds. This physical gesture is a deep cultural expression of horizontal blessing, communal solidarity, and mutual support.

Simple Methodology: Capturing the Community's Voice
To understand the inner meaning of this tradition, researcher utilized a qualitative ethnographic research design. The investigation focused on understanding the ritual from the emic, or insider, perspective of the indigenous population. The researcher spent nine months from January to September 2023 conducting fieldwork across three key districts: Amarasi, South Amarasi, and East Amarasi. The data collection involved three primary methods:

• In-Depth Interviews: The researcher interviewed 22 key informants, including traditional elders (mnane), experienced dancers, newlyweds, a local pastor from the Protestant Evangelical Church in Timor (GMIT), and a school teacher.
• Participatory Observation: The researcher attended five distinct traditional wedding ceremonies to document exact gestures, sequences, and social interactions.
• Document Study: The study analyzed the lyrics of accompanying songs, Dutch missionary literature, and church policy documents regarding traditional marriages.

The compiled data underwent strict thematic analysis, and accuracy was verified through data triangulation and direct member checking with the community leaders.

Key Findings: The Four Spiritual Dimensions

The ethnotheological analysis by the Universitas Kristen Indonesia researcher revealed four distinct theological pillars embedded within the Kosu Dance:

• Voluntariness as a Theology of Grace: There is no minimum financial requirement or forced obligation in the Kosu Dance. Individuals with limited financial means give small amounts and receive identical respect, reflecting unconditional grace.
• Sincerity of Heart: The community values the purity of the giver’s intention over the monetary amount. Giving with joy brings spiritual fulfillment, while giving to show off is culturally and spiritually rejected.
• Communal Solidarity: The ritual explicitly rejects individualism. The entire village physically assembles to ensure that no newlywed couple begins their married life isolated or unsupported.
• Holistic Blessing: The money collected is not an abstract concept; it serves as practical seed money for the couple's new economic life. This merges material well-being with spiritual sanctity.
  

Real-World Impact and Educational Models
The findings from this Universitas Kristen Indonesia study offer actionable insights for modern educators, policymakers, and religious institutions facing the rise of urban individualism. Research proposes three concrete models to integrate this indigenous wisdom into multicultural curricula:

• Cultural Text Integration: Teachers can use the Kosu Dance as a primary classroom text alongside historical and religious passages to teach the societal value of generosity.
• Embodied Experience Simulations: Students can actively simulate the core concepts of the dance by organizing voluntary, sincere gift-giving circles to support classmates experiencing personal or financial hardships.
• Contextual Hermeneutics Gateways: The ritual can serve as a pedagogical starting point for students to identify and preserve other positive cultural values within their local environments.

Local educators have embraced these curriculum models enthusiastically. A secondary school teacher in the Amarasi community noted that starting lessons with familiar traditions like the Kosu Dance makes complex social and ethical concepts immediately accessible to the younger generation. Furthermore, the study urges regional institutions to establish open dialogue forums between indigenous leaders, artists, and theologians to promote ongoing cultural preservation.

Author Profile

Febrina Norliantyn Atty is an academic researcher affiliated with the Universitas Kristen Indonesia. Her primary field of expertise lies in Multicultural Christian Religious Education (CRE) and Contextual Ethnotheology. 

Sources

Febrina Norliantyn Atty (2026). Ethnotheology of Kosu Dance: Reconstruction of the Meaning of Syukur Amarasi Within the Framework of Multicultural Christian Religious Education. Indonesian Journal of Christian Education and Theology (IJCET). Volume 5, No 2 (2026), Halaman 109-116
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/ijcet.v5i2.13
URL: https://journalijcet.my.id/index.php/ijcet