MERSI LILIANA MANIYENI Pengarang ELISNA HUAN Dosen Pembimbing 2 John W. Haan - 19630222 198803 1 002 Dosen Pembimbing 1 Drs. John Wem Haan, MA. Ph.D Ketua Penguji Elisna Huan, S. Pd., M.Hum Penguji 1 Drs.Soleman Dapa Taka, MA Penguji 2

This thesis deals with a semiotic analysis of symbols in the taktabul ritual of the Padailaka people. This research aims at finding: (1) The symbols used in the taktabul ritual of Padailaka people in Lakatuli village, Mataru district, Alor regency, (2) The semiotic meaning of the symbols used in the taktabul ritual of Padailaka people in Lakatuli village, Mataru district, Alor regency. This research applied a descriptive qualitative method using Peirce's theory (1839-1914) to analyze the data in cultural symbols and Saussure's theory (1857-1913) to analyze the data in linguistic symbols. This research used some techniques to collect the data: Observation, interviews, and video recording. The writer found nine cultural symbols, which were rua miya (chicken banana), kamenggiang (sanctuary), fu mesing (areca betel), wata kai/wata baki (coconut shell), rua ge we (chicken blood), rua amur (chicken feather), kalol (chicken appendix), baletma (ketupat), and koi (a basket with a lid) and two linguistic symbols were consisting of two yai (verses of song) and three spells. This study is expected to give valuable insights into understanding the meaning of symbols in the taktabul ritual. Keywords: semiotic, symbols, taktabul ritual, Peirce’s theory, Saussure’s theory