MELODIC AND TEXTUAL MANTRA AS RITUAL CHANTING IN THE KARO SOCIETY

Abstract

Mantra can be interpreted as a complete speech that has an orderly wording and can give rise to supernatural powers. Mantras are performed by shamans or handlers for various purposes. Some mantras are presented by singing with a free meter and without the accompaniment of musical instruments. The shamans who can present it are the guru pertabas and guru permangmang who can be extracted from the shaman who presents the mantra, tabas, or mangmang. Mantras can be performed outside of ritual ceremonies. Mantras function as a means of communication to get supernatural powers. Mantra are believed to change something so that it has more benefits because of the influence of supernatural powers. The presentation is done repeatedly with the same tone pattern and very little change. The power of the mantra is in the words and notes it repeats. Although the mantra cannot be developed outside of Karo culture, it is very important to be studied as local wisdom.