Petronela Lero Kaka Pengarang DEWI I N BILI BORA Dosen Pembimbing 2 SOLEMAN DAPA TAKA Dosen Pembimbing 1 Sebastianus Fernandez Ketua Penguji Dewi I N Bili Bora Penguji 2 Soleman Dapa Taka Penguji 1

This thesis is entitled: “SEMIOTIC ANALYSIS OF WELLI IN PADA EWETA VILLAGE, SOUTHWEST SUMBA REGENCY”. The problems of the study are: first, what are symbols found in welli traditional ceremony in Pada Eweta Village, Southwest Sumba Regency. Secondly, what are the meanings of symbols found in welli traditional ceremony in Pada Eweta Village, Southwest Sumba Regency. This study aims to identify the symbols found in welli traditional ceremony in Pada Eweta Village, Southwest Sumba Regency, and to identify and describe the meanings of symbols found in welli traditional ceremony in Pada Eweta Village, Southwest Sumba Regency. The method used qualitative descriptive method. This research was conducted in Pada Eweta Village, Southwest Sumba Regency on July 2024. The writer selected three informants as the data resource. The techniques used to collect data were picture taking, interview, note taking, and recording. The data were analyzed by using identifying and describing techniques. The result shows that there are 18 symbols found in welli in Pada Eweta Village, Southwest Sumba Regency. They are: karambo (buffalo), ndara (horse), cow, mamuli, katopo (machetes), numbu (spear), lele (ivory bracelet), tabelo, maraga, ngawu (traditional cloth), ana wawi (piglet), ana kuku (puppy), ana manu (chick), wawi (pig), kaleku pamama (traditional bag), pamama/utta, winno, katawa (betel nut, areca nut, and lime), ndara pakalete (riding horse), and all the household furniture. There are three typologies of signs found from each welli symbol, which are as follows: 1) cultural icons, signs that have meaning reflect representations of cultural identity, respect, and value, for example: ngawu (traditional cloth), ndara (horse), and mamuli. 2) cultural index, a sign with a symbolic meaning that shows a causal relationship, such as a dowry that reflects respect, economy, commitment, and inter-family relationships and reinforces traditional and social values that have existed for a long time, for example: ndara (horse), ngawu (traditional cloth), ana wawi (piglet), ana kuku (puppy), ana manu (chick), and wawi (pig). 3) cultural symbol, signs that have symbolic meanings that show cultural identity, appreciation, social status, and philosophical meanings that preserve the traditions and culture of Sumba, for example: karambo (buffalo), ndara (horse), cow, mamuli, katopo (machete), numbu (spear), lele (ivory bracelet), tabelo, maraga, ngawu (traditional cloth), ana wawi (piglet), ana kuku (puppy), ana manu (chicks), wawi (pig), kaleku pamama (traditional bag), utta winno katawa / pamama (betel nut, areca, and lime), ndara pakalete (riding horse), and all the household furniture. Keywords: Semiotic analysis, welli traditional ceremony, symbols, meaning.