After the publication in 2001 of Fr. Johannes Hammerle’s “Asal Usul Masyarakat Nias – Suatu Interpretasi” (The Origins of Nias People – An Interpretation), a new book: “Ho Jendela Nias Kuno – Sebuah Kajian Kritis Mitologis” (Ho, the Window to the Ancient Nias – A critical and mythological analysis) on the same topic written in Indonesian was recently published. The book was written by Victor Zebua, a Niassan, a medical doctor who lives in Yogyakarta, Central Java. The book questions among others Hammerle’s interpretation of “Teteholi Ana’a” as a mother’s womb. The following is the “introductory” page of the book – translated in English by Nias Online.

His name is short, Ho, but had a lengthy life. He wandered in a real world in a number of regions of Nias Island, the North Sumatra Province. He also strolled in folklore and imagination of Nias ancient poets. And, he is the inspiration of this book. The life of Ho is a widely open window through which we view the ancient Nias.

There are many aspects of lives of the ancient people of Nias that have become discourses today. Through critical studies of folklore, in particular the Nias myths, we visit various sites of ancient culture of Nias, from pedigree, hoho (ancient poem of Nias), the main ancestor of Nias, Nias myths which have been degraded to legend, mythical characters, slavery, Teteholi Ana’a, to the product of fondrakö’s traditions, some of which are still practiced today while others in the brink of distinction. Ho guides us to visit those various sites.

The main materials of the study were taken from various literature on Nias. Hence, in addition to studying the lives of the ancient Nias people, this book also proportionally criticises a number of these literature. A number of supporting theories used as “analytical knives” were adopted from relevant literature. Furthermore, this book attempts to offer a critical analysis as an alternative method of studying carefully the various literature on Nias.

Peter Suzuki’s book, ”Religious System and Culture of Nias, Indonesia” published in 1959 is one of the heavily criticised literature. This book notes that Suzuki was biased in viewing Nias; Suzuki was trapped in the following three matters. First, social structure theory applied by Suzuki failed to explain the position of sawuyu (slave) in Nias’ social stratification. Second, analytical model of Hermes god is not a valid instrument in studying the existence of Silewe Nazarata. Third, Suzuki was not able to clearly distinguish between the cosmogonic myth and theogonic myth.

Yogyakarta, 8 September 2006

Victor Zebua