Published Paper Details:

This study aims to describe and analyze the role and function of indigenous institutions in the community in running the government in the village. This study uses the theoretical framework of Soren Kierkegaard's existence theory to analyze the existence of traditional institutions in the lives of the people in Soba Village. The approach used in this study is a descriptive-qualitative approach. The reasons for the use of a descriptive-qualitative approach with a view to explaining and revealing the facts that occur in society. This research was conducted in Soba Village, Amarasi Barat Sub-District, Kupang-NTT Regency. The reason for choosing the location is that Soba Village is one of the villages that have traditional institutions, but in line with global development, the existence of traditional institutions in the community has faded. Informants in the study consisted of village heads, traditional leaders, community leaders, and Soba village communities. Field data were obtained through observation, in-depth interviews, and literature studies on the existence of traditional institutions in Soba Village. Data analysis was conducted using interactive models, including data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion. The results showed that formal institutions do not exist, but all the roles attached to the bodies of traditional institutions have been carried out by traditional leaders and community leaders and supported by the village government. The role of adat institutions in cultural preservation and as a media in conflict resolution is an important role of adat institutions (adat leaders and community leaders). Community life is more closely attached to traditional leaders, and people behave in accordance with community values that are inherited and interpreted as a hereditary tradition through behavioral attitudes and the implementation of traditional customs.