An embodiment of spiritual characters in saba rituals dance performance: a manifestation of cosmic symbols

The embodiment of spiritual characters (supernatural characters) in saba ritual dance performance is the main focus of this study. Through the qualitative method with the ethnography approach, this work seeks to explain the relationship between behaviour and culture. An analysis was done through the cosmology theory application which observes that the natural phenomenon covers real and supernatural events also the position of the people in it. The relationship between man and nature creates creativity in works of art. The work created is a mark of the existence of the cosmological relationship of the artist and his religious belief. This is related to the four cosmic elements namely soil, water, fire, and wind. The works of art are also believed to have their soul. The application of cosmology theory integrates the existence of the physical and the metaphysic cosmic dimensions that underlie the views of the practitioners in regarding the saba ritual dance as a ritual for healing. The dancers will experience a trance as an indication of an embodiment of supernatural characters in the performance through the players' bodies. An offering is also served as the effort to make present the supernatural characters in the performance. Through this way, the players' personalities will be separated and players are capable of creating the supernatural characters and manifesting the cosmic symbol in the effort to conduct the healing process.