Mystic Power and Sex in Central Flores

Abstract

This paper aims to describe the native theory of mystic power in central Flores, eastern Indonesia. All the data here derive from my fieldwork in the western part of the Lionese-speaking area. In Lio, mystic power is said to be related, in one way or another, to sexual intercourse and the genitalia.
 To analyze the native concept, I deal with not only myths and rituals but also linguistic data such as verbal abuse, obscene tales and several genres of popular songs which might, at first glance, seem to be secondary to the reproduction of society and culture, but which offer much information on the native concept embedded in the reality which the people take for granted.
 I elucidate the symbolic and sociological construction as well as the dynamics of the west Lionese folk theory of mystic power and the concept of man and woman. My contention is that the west Lionese folk theory of mystic power is parallel to their sexual image and behaviour and is interlocked with the concept of gender.