In the midst of modernization and globalization, on the remote islands of Mentawai, there is a figure who is the guardian of the cultural heritage and health of the local community: sikerei. They are traditional healers who have primary responsibility in healing the sick and leading their clan. They carry out their duties based on the rules handed down by their predecessors, so whoever wants to be sikerei must be truly sincere and follow the rules that have been set.
Their role covers various aspects, from treating illnesses with herbal concoctions to leading sacred traditional ceremonies. Their existence is highly respected and is considered to be the guardian of harmony between humans, nature and the spiritual world.
Become sikerei is an inseparable part of the culture passed down from generation to generation in the Mentawai community. This role not only requires a person to have strong intentions, but also demands adequate financial capabilities, due to the process of becoming sikerei requires quite a bit of money.
In carrying out their duties, they must be ready to be called at any time and anywhere to treat someone. They are not limited to their own village, but are ready to reach other areas if necessary. One's life sikerei very tied to customary rules and higher leaders, where violations of these rules can have fatal consequences, even cause death.
There are many stories about those who violated traditional rules and ended up dying. Therefore, compliance with traditional principles and rules is very important for a person sikerei to be able to carry out their duties well and without problems.
The success of a sikerei in treating does not only depend on his abilities but also on sincere intentions that come from the heart. Being them is not something that can be forced, because if it is not done seriously, the results will not be optimal. For example, in singing ritual songs, only those who have sincere intentions and strong determination are able to do it correctly.
Interestingly, they are not only intended for men, but women can be too sikerei. However, there is a fundamental difference here. Women can be sikerei if her husband is sikerei, but they do not have the ability to see spirits as well sikerei man. The role of women in sikerei more about accompanying her husband in treatment, and when his husband died, status sikerei The woman also disappeared. This shows that degree and ability sikerei more attached to men.
In the treatment process, they use various types of medicine that come from nature, especially the Mentawai forest. Each type of disease requires different medicines, for example medicines for mothers giving birth are different from medicines for internal diseases or children. These medicinal ingredients are taken from leaves and roots found in the forest. Knowledge about these medicines has been passed down from generation to generation sikerei previous to his successors. However, taking this medicine cannot be taken carelessly, because there are certain rituals and rules that must be followed so that the medicine is effective.
However, there are several obstacles currently facing them, namely, the decreasing number of forests due to the conversion of land to agriculture or residential areas. This makes it difficult for them to find specific medicinal ingredients that can only be found in the forest. For example, to cure pregnant women, they need special leaves which can only be found in the forest. If these ingredients are incomplete, then the medicine made will not be effective.
Become sikerei nor does it have to come from hereditary origin sikerei, but it is recommended to have a lineage because the knowledge and traditional equipment owned by the predecessors will be easier to pass on and maintain. Even so, sincerity and strong intentions remain the main factors.
Their medicines cannot be mixed with medical drugs. They have unique treatment methods that are different from medical ones. However, patients can still choose to seek medical treatment without mixing these drugs. This is because medical personnel cannot detect diseases caused by spirits, which is a special skill sikerei.
As it becomes increasingly difficult to find medicinal ingredients due to decreasing forests, their ability to cure various diseases is hampered. The relationship between them and nature is very close and cannot be separated. The loss of forests will greatly impact the effectiveness of the treatment they carry out. Therefore, preserving forests is very important to ensure the continuity of their traditions and medicinal capabilities in the future.
