An inculturation mass led by RP. John Johanes Richard Yempormase, OSA, as the main celebrant.
by Bruno Rumyaru
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Jakarta – Suara Anak Negeri News.Com,- Sunday, April 27, 2025 is a special day for the Tanempar Dalam Lese (TDL) group. Around 150 residents who called themselves Tanimbar people attended the Joint Easter celebration which was held at the Bangladesh Building/Restaurant, Bumi Indah Phase 2, Pasar Kemis, Tangerang, East Java Province, Indonesia. They came with families, ranging from infants to the elderly.
“Maline bermir kateman silai” or “Peace be with you all”, is the theme of the celebration, taken from the Gospel of John (20:21). This golden verse was chosen to commemorate the Week of God’s Mercy, which is the second Sunday after Easter according to the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church. The Eucharistic celebration is packed with the nuances of Tanimbar culture through an inculturation mass led by RP. John Johanes Richard Yempormase, OSA, as the main celebrant.
The Mass was enriched by the use of the Yamdena and Fordata languages, as well as traditional Tanimbar clothing. The liturgical songs and dances performed by the dance groups also reflect the thick culture of their origin. Tanimbar Islands Regency (KKT) itself is part of Maluku Province and is known as one of the outermost districts in the eastern region of Indonesia. The KKT has 10 sub-districts and by 2025, the population is estimated to reach 132,317 people, according to data from the Central Statistics Agency of Maluku Province.
The religious composition in the KKT shows the majority of Christians (61.16%), with Catholics covering about 33.06% of the population, and the rest being Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus. KKT is known as the “Entrance” of Indonesia from the east. , with a diversity of regional languages such as Fordata, Yamdena, Wermatan, and Makatian. Fordata is spoken in the northern region as an indigenous language, while Yamdena is spoken on the main island with other local languages living on smaller islands.
In his sermon, Father John invited, “The Easter celebration of Tanempar Dalam Lese, on this Sunday of Mercy invites all of us to unite our hearts, unite our minds, let go of our respective egos so that we can embrace all parties of the people of Tanimbar overseas, the city of Jakarta, Tangerang and its surroundings….”
After the Eucharist, the event continued with lunch together in the concept of potluck. All participants brought food from their respective homes to eat together. The group of mothers prepared drinks and typical dishes of Tanimbar, such as brown rice, ground food, and the participants’ favorite side dishes.
According to Etus Fasak, the Secretary of Committee, this activity is an initial milestone for Catholics from Tanimbar in the Tangerang area who want to rebuild togetherness and solidarity. The Tanempar Dalam Lese Association was formed in January 2025 through acclamation to appoint the initial administrators. In addition, a coordinator was also appointed for each village in the Tanimbar Islands, in order to strengthen coordination and involvement of residents.
This association is not only a forum for meetings, but also a means to introduce and preserve Tanimbar culture through language, song, and dance. This is very important, especially for children who were born and raised outside Tanimbar to still love their cultural roots. The culture of Tanimbar is expected to be a force that enriches liturgical life in the church, as conveyed by Sr. Petra Oru, MM, a nun from the Order of Mary Mediatrix, she came from Larat, North Tanimbar island. Catholics from Tanimbar can also participate in the liturgical life of the church with its songs and dances as shown by members of the congregation from other cultures,” she said.
The active contribution of Tanimbar residents abroad is expected not only to enrich their own cultural life and faith, but also to be a blessing to the wider community through positive work and presence. The joy of Easter was closed with a relaxing event full of joy of dancing, singing, traditional dance called wayase like the people of Tanimbar partying in an atmosphere full of joy.
