Nakapali: How the Palu People Conveys Good Values Through a Myth
How myths change our perspective
Don't sit at the door, or you'll have a hard time finding a job. Don't clip your nails at night, or the devil will haunt you. Don't spit carelessly, or you'll die. Those are things that, for many Sulawesi people, are taboo, especially in my city: Palu, Central Sulawesi. We used to call such things "nakapali." But in other places, it is also commonly known as "pamali."
Nakapali or pamali means "prohibition," "taboo," or "abstinence." This prohibition is not written, only conveyed orally. "Nakapali" has been passed down from generation to generation from the time of our grandmothers and great-grandfathers. So it's very old. But what makes this oral tradition unique is its persuasive nature and is often associated with supernatural powers. On the other hand, "nakapali" also reflects the culture of the people who believe in it, because this is how people used to interpret things; They use myth to explain an event.
My mom always warned me not to spit anywhere because that was "nakapali." If I violate it, or in other words, spit anywhere, I will die. That is the belief of the people in my environment. They believe that if we spit, our saliva will be licked by supernatural beings, which will cause our death.
As a rational person and raised in the discipline of philosophy, "nakapali" may seem strange to me and, yes, also absurd. However, when I hear such myths, I don't look at them from a scientific point of view: see whether the story makes sense or not. Instead, I tend to look at it from the point of view of pragmatic ethics: is there any use-value offered by the myth regardless of whether it is a fact or just bullshit?
When my mother told me not to litter everywhere because it was "nakapali" — forbidden, I didn't argue with her; I didn't argue that what she said was just a myth and made no sense. On the other hand, I agree, but not in the context of right-wrong, but the merits of the command. That way, I will be more careful with my attitude. If I think more deeply, of course, it is unethical and not good for me to spit anywhere. What if my spit hits someone else? What if my spit litters the streets?
Now, that seems reasonable, doesn't it?
Therefore, I see there is another purpose why the "nakapali" or myth was created. As stated above - that is so that we are not careless and always be careful in doing something. For example, like "nakapali" or the myth that food will cry if we don't finish it. True, it is irrational for us to imagine how food will cry, but the myth is very efficient at encouraging those who believe it to value food more and not waste their food.
Another example is "nakapali," or the myth that says don't cut your nails at night because these nails will become a demon who will hurt us. Again, this myth doesn't make sense and, yes, is also not true. However, if we want to think further, there is an implied message behind this myth. In ancient times, when our great-grandmothers lived, the world was not as bright as it is today. The lamp was not yet the main lighting tool at that time (except for those who were rich). The world was still so dark back then. Before there was light, it would have been difficult for people in those days to cut their nails in the dark, and that was certainly very dangerous! Because if we are not careful to trim our nails at night, where the lighting is not as good as during the day, we will hurt our fingers.
Elsewhere, there are also "nakapali" or myths that say that if we cut down a tree carelessly (or without permission), the demons or supernatural beings that inhabit the tree will harm us and even kill us. Rationally, no modern person would believe this nonsense. But for traditional people, especially in my environment, believe in this myth.
We, who think of ourselves as rational beings, seem at the same time as arrogant beings. Thinking of ourselves, humans, as the most special and worthy creatures to control and oppress other creatures — plants and animals — makes us forget how to respect the existence of other living things and their important position to protect the earth while providing everything we need, including the oxygen we currently breathe. The self-confidence and arrogance of modern humans eventually make it easy for us to cut down forests indiscriminately (deforestation) and even kill animals just for fun and hobbies.
Traditional societies have always used myths to control their greed and human ambition. Unlike modern society, which uses what they call "scientific facts" to eliminate, oppress, and harm nature. The purpose of the creation of "nakapali" or myth - that do not cut down trees carelessly is useful so that we are afraid and careful to carry out illegal logging, especially forest destruction. If our fear of ghosts makes us aware, why not? That's how the people in my environment take care of the forest. Not by paying the rangers, but by myths!
According to Plato, although we must live according to rational reasons that we consider reliable evidence, we must also consider the value and benefits of what we believe. So no wonder, some philosophers use myths in conveying their teachings. This is useful so that their philosophical teachings can be conveyed properly.
Given that non-philosophers are reluctant to base their lives on logic or critical thinking, persuading is one way to keep good values conveyed. Well, one of the means that can be used is a myth. Since myths can instill strong beliefs in a person due to their easily accepted nature, it is efficient to make common people and children believe in things that are good for themselves and others, even though the myths contain 90% lies.
Apart from that, although the fear of those who believe in myths or superstitions (nakapali) is unfounded and irrational, isn't it justifiable if we look at these myths from the side of the benefits they produce even though they are lies? If lies can make us better beings, who uphold ethical and human values, then why should we reject them just because they don't make sense? Is anything that makes sense always good?
