ruqyarituelen

Ruqyarituelen is a traditional ceremonial practice of the Ruqyari people, combining chant, gesture, and percussion to mark seasonal transitions and communal milestones. It functions as a framework for transmitting history, law, and social values through performance.

Etymology and origins: The name is drawn from Ruqyari roots, with ruqyar meaning voice or song and tuelen signifying ritual. Scholars describe ruqyarituelen as emerging in the early waves of settlement in the coastal and riverine regions of the archipelago, with the most complete historical references appearing in later ceremonial compendia and travelogues.

Practice and structure: A typical ruqyarituelen session centers on a lead chanter, a chorus, and a set of drums or percussion instruments. Performances proceed in distinct phases: invocation and blessing, recitation of genealogies and communal histories, and the performance of improvised verses that reinforce social obligations. Movements of the hands, arms, and body are coordinated with the chant, reinforcing the narrative rather than merely accompanying it. The ritual often lasts several hours and is held during planting and harvest periods, as well as at the initiation of youths into community roles.

Variations and regional roles: Coastal communities tend to emphasize polyrhythmic drumming and call-and-response exchanges, while upland communities integrate wind instruments and extended storytelling. Guilds of master chanters oversee practice, apprenticeship, and the transmission of genealogical verses, with roles that have evolved to include inclusive participation.

Cultural significance: Ruqyarituelen is regarded as a repository of language, law, and collective memory. It is protected as intangible cultural heritage by regional authorities, with contemporary revival efforts aimed at documenting performances and supporting new practitioners.