Structure and Function of Expressions of People's Trust (Superstitions) The villagers of Sigodang Village, Simalungun Regency

Abstract

This research aims to describe the structure and function of expressions of people's trust in the village of Sigodang, Simalungun Regency. The expression of people's trust is one of type folklore as a verbal which consists of verbal and non-verbal elements. Poeple's trust in general contains the values that regulate the relationship between fellow humans, and humans with their natural and surrounding, to regulate and supervise the norms prevailing in society. The metho d of data collection that used in this research is a qualitative descriptive method, and used the folklore theory. The results of this research indicate that: 1. The structure of people's trust expression in Sigodang Village consist of a. two structured expressions with a cause and effect pattern, and pattern of signs and effects., b. three structured expressions with a causal-conversion pattern, and causal-conversion pattern.; 2. The function of people's trust expressions is: a. thickener of religious emotions or trust., b. as an educational tool for children and teenager., c. as a collective dream projection system., d.as a means of coercion and supervisor so that the norms of society are always obeyed by collective members.

Introduction to the Special Issue

“…Cutting nails at night is a popular superstition in many Asian and Middle Eastern countries, believed to bring bad luck. Although there is no scientific evidence to support this superstition, cutting your nails during the night was more dangerous and less hygienic with no electricity or light and limited visibility during the nights in ancient times (Purba, Herlina, and Siahaan 2020). Similarly, rituals decrease anxiety, improve performance, and they are more effective than other forms of distraction or trying to calm down (Brooks et al 2016).…”