Parika in the Ritual Practice of Defembula Kahitela - Barangka Subdistrict, Muna Regency

This study aims to reveal the role of Parikaitself, especially in the ritual practice in farming activity namely DefembulaKahitela. Besides, this study also aims to elaborate the prominent authority of Parikatowards the community of BarangkaSubdistrict. The research sites are located in BarangkaSubdistrict consist of eight villages in West Muna Regency. The primary data are obtainedfrom the various informants who acknowledge the DefembulaKahitelaritual practice and the farmers themselves, and others who serve as local informant leaders and the secondary data are obtained from the written data and field observation. The data are collected by field interview with the informants and direct observation in the farm field in BarangkaSubdistrict. This study finds that the farmers in BarangkaSubdistrict are using the services of Parikafrom the very beginning of their farming activity starting from the pre-planting, the planting, and the harvest and post-harvest stages. This study also finds that Parikahas the authority in four aspects; determine a good day for each ritual, ritual requirements (ritual tools and materials), the amount of wages in leading ritual practice of DefembulaKahitela, and determine the rules related what should and should not do while farming from the pre-plantingto the post-harvest stage