SD1-286

Genre: Medicine/huru: Joe Ware, a young grandfather from Mata mere, tells in three audio recordings and a videoclip about his notorious 'huru kora', a curse-prohibition to protect crops. 'Huru kora' is more complicated than most huru, and the symptoms too; both men and women who become affllicted will behave out of control; steal and approach the other sex without normal restraints. Ware tells in rec 1 of how he cures people from his 'huru', beginning with a 'bhulu wa'o' prayer (rec 1) and talking to the ancestors. He cannot tell how everything is done, because he fears the listeners might be attacked by the huru! The cure does use betel (sirih pinang) – he 'ngiru' – like most 'huru', mixed only with leaves from the 'kora' tree. Here Ware tells about the procedure from when a person is aware that he is attacked by 'huru kora' and he comes to ask for Ware's help. Ware gives him an egg to keep until the next day. Ware sleeps and is told by an ancestor in the night where to pick the leaves for the cure. The 'ngiru' is repeated five times during three days. The last step of the cure is ritual cooling with young, small, coconut, showered over the head. If the victim is still not well he throws away the egg himself (to the west and backwards, I suppose). Cawa Lunda asks questions and permission. Recorded in the presence of a few of his family members and neighbours, and Pidhu, who was holding the camera while I handheld the H4N mic. It was a good and improvised solution. See also the clip and the pictures.Palu'e, Flores, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Indonesia. Recording made in kampong Mata Mere, Keli domain