NILA A. E. LENGGU Pengarang SEBASTIANUS FERNANDEZ Dosen Pembimbing 1 Soleman Dapa Taka Dosen Pembimbing 2 Sebastianus Fernandez Penguji 1 Yosep B. Kroon Ketua Penguji Soleman Dapa Taka Penguji 2

The problems of the research are (1) what is the purpose of Tu`u Belis tradition in marriage for the community of the Lakamola Village; (2) what is the process of the Tu`u Belis tradition in marriage for the community of the Lakamola Village. The method used was descriptive qualitative method. The research was conducted in Lakamola Village, East Rote Subdisctrict, Rote Ndao Regency. The informants of this research are two tribal chiefs and two community members. In collecting data, the researcher used observation, interviews, note taking, and taking pictures. The results show that (1) the purpose of the Tu`u belis tradition in Lakamola Village is to help the family of the prospective groom to pay all debts or customary fees or belis from the prospective bride so that the woman can be married; (2) the Tu`u belis tradition has been carried out by the customary rules that apply in the village. This tradition is carried out following the culture of the Rote people because this tradition has been instilled by ancestors to help each other. There are several stages in the process of the Tu`u belis tradition in Lakamola Village, East Rote Subdistrict, Rote Ndao Regency, namely: making preparations, the existence of art performances, welcoming guests, greeting the bride-to-be, giving betel nut, inviting the guests to eat, watching art, guests can go home, the announcement of the Tu`u results, and closing. Keyword: Tu`u belis, Marriage, Tradition