From Mystical Tradition to Christian Expression of Faith: The Transformation of the Meaning of Karo Gong Music in the Liturgy at the Parish of Saint Catherine Tiga Juhar

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the process of inculturation of Gong Karo music in the liturgy of the Catholic Church in the Parish of Santa Katarina Tiga Juhar and to describe its transformation from a traditional ritual function to a means of Christian worship. The main issue raised is the tension between the perception of Gong Karo in the mystical tradition of Pemena and the demands of Catholic liturgical sacredness. Using qualitative methods with an ethnographic approach, data was collected through participant observation and in-depth interviews with the parish priest, traditional leaders, musicians, and local congregants. The results show that the inculturation of Gong Karo music in the Tiga Juhar Parish was successfully achieved through a process of purification and technical adaptation, such as adjusting the tempo and sound dynamics to harmonize with the atmosphere of prayer. A significant transformation of meaning occurred; Gong Karo is no longer seen as a tool for summoning spirits, but as a medium of expression of faith that strengthens cultural identity while increasing the active participation of the congregation in the liturgy. The conclusion of the study emphasizes that the use of Gong Karo in the church is not merely an aesthetic endeavor, but an effective form of theological dialogue that bridges custom and faith. This success proves that the Church is capable of embracing the richness of local culture without obscuring the sacramental nature of the liturgy, while also serving as a means of preserving Karo traditions for the younger generation amid the tide of modernization.