Kaebusi

Kaebusi is a traditional communal ritual performance described in ethnographic records from several coastal communities in the Kaebus archipelago. The term is derived from elements of the local Kaebu language, with roots meaning roughly “gathering of sound” and “community voice.” The practice centers on a circular gathering where participants of all ages—men, women, and youths—join in music, chant, and dance.

The performance typically features a combination of percussion, rattles, and vocal elements. Drums and wooden clappers provide rhythm, while call-and-response chants and polyphonic singing create a layered sonic texture. The choreography emphasizes collective participation, with movements that range from simple stepping to stylized spins and clapping sequences. Kaebusi is commonly performed during harvest celebrations, religious observances, and occasions of communal reconciliation or milestone rites, and can last several hours or extend through the night.

Regional variants exist in instrument emphasis and vocal style. Some villages foreground instrumental percussion and brisk tempo, while others highlight elaborate vocal improvisations and slower, more contemplative sections. The ritual is valued for its social functions, including the transmission of oral histories, reinforcement of group identity, and the initiation or reaffirmation of social roles within the community.

History and scholarship note that kaebusi appears in diverse forms across the archipelago and has been the subject of ethnographic study since the 20th century. Contemporary practice ranges from active, community-led performances to festival adaptations that preserve core elements while accommodating modern contexts.

See also: ritual music, oral tradition, community performance.