Tiwah as Locus Theologicus: Participatory Liturgical Catechesis for the Transformation of Participatio Actuosa Among the Dayak Dusun Bayan Community

Abstract

This study explores the low active participation (participatio actuosa) of the congregation at St. Francis Xavier Station, Pendreh, North Barito Regency, Central Kalimantan, which tends to be trapped in formalistic ritualism despite possessing strong communal cultural roots. Prior studies indicate that low liturgical participation is often rooted in weak contextual catechesis rather than a mere lack of liturgical knowledge (Chupungco, 2010; Gita Safitri et al., 2022). This study employs a single-cycle Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach following the Kemmis and McTaggart (2005) model, integrated with Groome’s (1991) Shared Christian Praxis (SCP) model, to design a contextual participatory liturgical catechesis model. The novelty of this research lies in utilizing the Tiwah tradition as a locus theologicus (Bevans, 1992) to explain the concept of Eucharistic anamnesis. Data were collected through participatory observation, in-depth interviews, Focus Group Discussions structured around the five SCP movements, and documentary study involving eleven informants (one parish priest, one lay leader, one catechist, and eight laypeople) across three months of a single PAR action cycle. The findings show that a mystagogical-andragogical approach that values local wisdom can produce an initial change in the congregation’s understanding, from passive physical presence toward conscious and active inner engagement, as reflected in more punctual attendance and the initiative to take seats inside the church before services begin, as well as a shift in the meaning of the Eucharist from routine obligation toward an encounter of faith. This research contributes to the development of contextually grounded liturgical catechesis models for mission territories with strong indigenous cultural characteristics.