RENSIANA PEKARAMBA Pengarang YANPITHERZON LIUNOKAS Dosen Pembimbing 1 MERLYN K .NELLOE Dosen Pembimbing 2 Yanpitherzon Liunokas Penguji 1 Santri Emilin Pingsaboi Djahimo Ketua Penguji MERLYN K .NELLOE Penguji 2

This thesis is entitled: “Semiotic Analysis of Dowry Traditional Ceremony in Haharu Sub-Ditrict, East Sumba Regency”. The problems of the study are: first, what are symbols found in dowry traditional ceremony in Haharu sub-district, East Sumba regency. Second, what are meanings of symbols found in dowry traditional ceremony in Haharu sub-district, East Sumba regency. This study aims to identify the symbols which are found in dowry traditional ceremony in Haharu sub-district, East Sumba regency and to describe the meaning of those symbols which are found in dowry traditional ceremony in Haharu sub-district, East Sumba regency. The method used was descriptive qualitative method. This research was conducted in Rambangaru village, Haharu sub-district, East Sumba regency on July 2022. The writer selected three informants as the data resource. Some techniques used to collect data were observation, interview, note taking, and documentation. The data were analyzed by using identifying and describing techniques. The result shows that there are 13 symbols found in dowry traditional ceremony in Haharu sub-district, East Sumba regency, they are: ndjara (horse), happu (cow), karabbo (buffalo), wai (pig), mamuli, lulu amah, hada/muti (jewelry), tidi haikara (ornamental comb), tera kaha (red cloth), kain kamba (woven cloth), sirih (betel), pinang (areca nut), kapur (lime). Types of meanings of found in those symbols are: (a) Connotative meaning. For example: Ndjara (horse), karabbo (buffalo), wai (pig), kain kamba (woven cloth). These objects contain connotative meaning because they refer to the expression of communication when people deliver a massage without words but by using action. (b) Social meaning. For example: Happu (cow), hada/muti (jewelry). These objects contain social meaning because they are used by the people in communication that refers to the social circumstances of the speakers and related to life in a social group. (c) Cultural meaning. For example: Mamuli, lulu amah, hada/muti (jewelry), tidi haikara (ornamental comb), kain kamba (woven cloth), tera kaha (red cloth), sirih (betel), pinang (areca nut), kapur (lime). These objects contain cultural meaning because they symbolize a high appreciation in human interaction and to build a good communication with others in a cultural context. Key words: Semiotic Analysis, Dowry Ceremony, Haharu Sub-district