ANDINI MBAUKA METU Pengarang DEWI I N BILI BORA Dosen Pembimbing 2 SOLEMAN DAPA TAKA Dosen Pembimbing 1 Dewi I N Bili Bora Penguji 2 SOLEMAN DAPA TAKA Penguji 1 Yunita R. Bani Billi Ketua Penguji

The title of this study is Semiotic Analysis of Marapu signs in Umamanu Village in Lewa Tidahu Sub-District in East Sumba Regency. The aims of this research are 1) To find out the signs used in marapu events in Umamanu village Lewa Tidahu Sub-district in East Sumba Regency and 2) To describe the meaning of signs in marapu events in Umamanu village Lewa Tidahu Sub-district in East Sumba Regency. This research used semiotic analysis theory where is semiotic study of objects, events, all cultures as a sign. The method use qualitative data. The data were taken from the indigenous elders in umamanu village who understand about the signs and the meaning used in marapu events. The results of this study shows there are some signs found in the rituals of marapu events The result of this research proves that there are 15 signs and the meaning of each signs that are contained on marapu events in East Sumba they are, they are Nimbu Koja Ruku (spear that stabbed footprint ) Or Nimbu Mbara Kaiku (white tailed spear), kacidu marapu (marapu knife), kanici marapu (jar), kambaringu uratu ( main pole), tapu (mat), tangawatilu ( plate of betel nut), mamuli (jewelry of Sumba), kanatar (necklace), katoda (monument), katopu (machete), lamba marapu and mamongu marapu (marapu drum and marapu gong), mbuala, pahapa (betel nut), and kawadaku (gold slice), and atu manu (chicken liver). The researcher hopes the further research can find more signs that not be found by the researcher. Key word: semiotic analysis, sign and meaning, marapu belief, East sumba