ORIGIN STRUCTURES: A COMPARATIVE SOCIO-COSMOLOGICAL STUDY
OF THREE INDONESIAN SOCIETIES

By Michael P. Vischer

The project proposes to study origin structures in three Indonesian societies.
The projects include field research which will be conducted in three
locations: Palu ‚ Island (Kec. Maumere, Kab. Sikka, duration 1 month), Kp
Ngesa Ndetu in the Lio region of Flores (Kec. Maurole, Kab. Ende, duration 4
months), and at a site in the region of west Sumatra (duration 6 months), the
precise location of the last is still to be determined in consultation with
regional specialists.
In investigating processes of hierarchization recent ethnographic research in
eastern Indonesia has cast doubt on the universal applicability of the general
theory of hierarchy proposed by Dumont (1966). Specifically the synchronic
framework of the Dumontian model, as well as the notion of the existence of
one set of dual categories permeating society at all structural levels and
thereby ordering it in a hierarchial mode, are now being questioned. In order
to account for the dynamics of processes of hierarchization through time and
for the multitude of contextually ordered sets of dual categories involved,
a number of scholars working in eastern Indonesia have proposed the analytical
model of precedence. At the most general level the project locates itself
within this emerging debate.
Lewis (1992) defines precedence as "ranked relations of persons by virtue of
their membership in groups which are themselves rank ordered in terms of
priority and sequence in which they came into ordered relationships to
another". In this ordering according to temporal sequences recourse is taken
to notions of origin. In many cases names of places (topologies) rather than
genealogies establish the link between the persons or groups and their
origins. In many cases the reconnection with origins is periodically
celebrated by means of ceremonial cycles which are sponsored by the claimants
to a position of precedence, in which the ritual process provides the arena
for the contestation and recreation of an order of precedence.
In eastern Indonesia these cycles are characteristically linked to animal
sacrifice and to the placing of monoliths. The notion of origin, which has
been described as an obsession of eastern Indonesian societies also pertains
to some degree to the societies of the wider Austronesian world. Indeed the
concept is so central to Austronesian societies that it has been identified
as one  of the `core concepts' shared by these societies which form crucial
points of departure in a comparison of Austronesian societies. Currently two
comparative projects with related subjects are being carried out in eastern
Indonesia. The project will endeavour to maintain close communication with
their principal researchers. The three sites where fieldwork will be carried
out have been selected because of the varying degrees of similarities and
differences in their social and ceremonial order which will allow for
meaningful comparison at various levels.
In Phase 2 the project proposes to continue research on the origins structures
of the domains of Palu'‚ Island by completing investigations previously
conducted in its thirteen constituent domains. In previous research, extensive
material pertaining the topologies and to the ceremonial cycles conducted in
each domain has been collected in some but not in all domains. Variations
between domains with regard to their social and ceremonial structure are
minimal and finely tuned comparison at this level is expected to provide an
in depth insight into the ways in which origin structures are employed in the
establishment of an order of precedence.
In the third part of Phase 2 of the project, field research along the same
lines will be conducted in the culturally and linguistically closely related
Lio region. Previous research in the region has revealed that Mt. Lepembusu
is recognized by a number of Lio groups as their place of origin. Given that
the ceremonial and social structure of the Lio, although related to that of
Palu'‚, is some what different in its emphases, the project will investigate
how Lio origin structures are elaborated and how they are employed in the
establishment of an order of precedence. Here again, special attention will
be paid to the ceremonial cycles involved in this process. Currently research
is being carried out in two locations in the vicinity of Mt. Lepembusu. By
consulting regularly with the researchers in question the project will benefit
from their long-term first-hand experience in the larger region.
In Phase 4 fieldwork will be carried out in the region of west Sumatra or on
one of the outlying islands, possibly on Nias. The region has been selected
for comparative purposes because a number institutions similar to those of
eastern Indonesia are represented as well as others that would appear to be
very different. A recent literary analysis of Sumatran material has shown that
the model of precedence can be successfully applied to societies of the
region. In investigating the origin structures of one Sumatran society the
project is also going to test the validity of this approach in the western
Indonesian field.
In Stage 5 of the project the material from the three societies being studied
will be subjected to a comparative analysis. It is expected that this
comparative analysis will ultimately allow for deeper insight to the nature
of processes of hierarchization in the Austronesian world and establish the
crucial part that origin structures can play in these processes. Finally, at
every stage of description and analysis of the material communication will be
maintained with the proponents of the Dumontian model who have invited the
researcher to come and present his findings at their institution.

M.P. Vischer (1955) studied Anthropology and History at the University of
Basel and did a PhD course and research at the Australian National University
(ANU). In 1993 he obtained his PhD for a thesis entitled:'Children of the
Black Patola Stone: Origin Structures in an Eastern Indonesian Domain'. From
1983 to 1991 he was research scholar at the Research School of Pacific and
Asian Studies in Canberra. He did extensive fieldwork in Eastern Indonesia.