Catholic Church’s View of Cultural Values in the Mecaq Undat Tradition

Abstract

The Mecaq Undat tradition is a form of gratitude carried out by the Dayak Kenyah Lepoq Jalan tribe, after the harvest once a year. This tradition has cultural values such as cooperation, mutual respect, mutual assistance, and spirituality, starting from preparation, to the peak of the Mecaq Undat event. This study was conducted to see how the Catholic Church views cultural values in the Mecaq Undat tradition of the Dayak Kenyah Lepoq Jalan tribe in Datah Bilang Ilir village. This study uses qualitative research with an ethnographic approach, and the data collection techniques used are interviews, observation and documentation. The informants in the study were the traditional head, traditional representatives, community leaders, Parish Priest and two Catechists. Based on the research conducted, cultural values such as cooperation, mutual respect, mutual assistance and spirituality in the Mecaq Undat tradition carried out by the Dayak Kenyah Lepoq Jalan tribe, run with the teachings of the Catholic Church, because it contains values of love and brotherhood which are a means of spreading the Gospel. The church is called to be present in culture and to unite the people in fellowship (Koinonia).