SD1-289

Genre: Medicine/huru: Uncle Paulus Pidhu recorded in his home (and SD's, Cawa Lunda's, home too when visiting Palu'e) in the evening 15 June -15 in kampong Nara. The recording was done directly with the H4N because I knew had to ask questions and that the several persons present would want to add something to the other's narratives. Finally I got to record the local practitioners; Paulus Pidhu, Veronika Punga, Meli Pisane, Sami Vendelinus (present after a while). Lebi (sister) and Wongga (husband) were listening. Pidhu told two 'huru' this evening, neither uses sirih pinang (he told two other non-sirih pinang 'huru' a couple of days later). Pidhu's 'huru' are prohibitions, that inflict disease, and are hung in the betel (sirih pinang) trees. He did not tell if he made any sign to put in the tree, but I suppose he must; it would be unfair to not do it, and it is the rule. This one can be called 'huru nu'a' (huru house, the house being the ancestor stone, nu'a rate). If someone picks from the trees he will get hurt, in his eyes and suffer fever. The cure is he touches the patient five times on the forehead or elsewhere with paddy grains ('poi' ritual menyentuh dahi dengan padi). Then he puts them back in a coconut shell and brings it to the ancestor stone. There he speaks to the ancestors, in rather common language, asks them not to disturb the person again. And the person becomes well.Palu'e, Flores, Nusa Tenggara Timur, Indonesia. Recording made in kampong Nara, Keli domain