THE INTEGRATION OF LOCAL KNOWLEDGE AND SCIENCE: THE EXAMINATION OF ROTI BUAYA IN ZOOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

Roti buaya is a typical Betawi bread that always appears at the wedding ceremony of the Betawi community (Roti means bread, buaya means crocodile). The use of roti buaya is local knowledge that has been carried out for generations. The symbol of loyalty is the meaning that arises from roti buaya. This article aims to see the integrationof local knowledge and science which seen in the use of roti buaya in Betawi marriages. The crocodile’s character in roti buaya is associated with the character of crocodiles in nature. This research was conducted through two methods, namely interviews and literature studies. From the collected data, it is known that the type of crocodile described in roti buaya is estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). The crocodile’s character that can live on land and in water, the size of the female crocodile which is smaller than the male crocodile, are crocodile’s characters depicted in roti buaya. The characters are in accordance with the character of crocodile in nature. The crocodile symbol as a symbol of loyalty is only appropriate when the crocodile is placed in a couple cage system. Even so, the understanding of crocodile as a symbol of loyalty is still held by the Betawi people. This is indicated by the use of roti buaya in marriages which survived until now.