pekelen

Pekelen is described in ethnographic and cultural studies as a traditional communal ceremony practiced in the communities of the Atoan archipelago. It combines ritual performance, storytelling, music, and collective decision-making, functioning both as a social event and a mechanism for resolving shared concerns. Pekelen is often tied to seasonal cycles and major communal transitions, reinforcing group identity and mutual obligation.

The name pekelen is said to derive from Atoan roots pek- meaning “to gather” and elen meaning “light” or “guidance.” In everyday language, pekelen can be used as a verb meaning “to gather with purpose” or “to deliberate,” and as a noun for the ceremony itself. The etymology emphasizes illumination of decisions through communal participation.

Practices of pekelen typically unfold at key moments such as harvests, new-year celebrations, or post-conflict reconciliations. Participants form a circle around a central focal point, often a fire or lamp. Elders initiate with a ritual invocation, followed by storytelling, songs, and the recitation of customary laws or agreements. A moderator guides discussion to ensure inclusive participation, and consensus is sought through collective dialogue. In some communities, a formal blessing or public pledge concludes the ceremony, sealing decisions and commitments.

Historical accounts suggest pekelen has deep historical roots linked to agrarian life, though regional variants exist in emphasis and form. Over time, urbanization and modernization have altered its practice in some areas, while revival movements aim to preserve core elements such as communal listening, storytelling, and consensus-building. Cultural writers note pekelen’s role in mediation, social cohesion, and the transmission of tradition across generations.

See also: ritual, community governance, storytelling, consensus decision-making.

---