Whilst Nias Island and its people are still in the midst of disaster shocks since early 2000, the “attention†to Nias have not faded. Recent disasters (flood and landslides, tsunami and March earthquakes) in fact have brought Nias to the “attention†of global community. It is an irony, sadly to say, that Nias has become “well known†in recent years not because of its invaluable tradition and cultural heritage or any other “positive things†attributed to Nias, but more due to the its unfortunate geographical place in the world map, its position as one of the disaster spots in the “Ring of Fireâ€.
It is therefore always comforting to hear any thing associated with the positive attributes to Nias. One of such things is “inculturationâ€. What is “inculturation†? In an email interview, Dr. Thomas Markus Manhart, a German researcher, told Yaahowu about his research on Nias culture and its connection to Catholic Mission in Nias. Dr. Manhart, the Director of Artyfakt, Space for Intercultural Arts, Singapore, spent some time in Nias for his PhD research: A Song for Lowalangi – the Interculturation of Catholic Mission and Nias Traditional Arts with special Respect to Music.
