THE MEANING OF INTERACTIVE SYMBOLS IN PATTERNS OF SEXUAL RELATIONS: A SOCIOLOGICAL STUDY OF FIVE FAMILIES ON SELAYAR ISLAND, SOUTH SULAWESI INDONESIA

Abstract

This paper describes the nature of marriage and the symbols of interaction in the pattern of sexual relations between husband and wife in one of the sub-ethnic groups in South Sulawesi, namely the Selayar people. There are three core points of this research, namely the views of the Selayar people about the nature of marriage, the form and meaning of interactive symbols in the pattern of husband-wife sex, and the meeting point between signs and meanings in sexual relations in relation to social semiotic theory. Historically, the Selayar people have had interactive symbols, both verbal and non-verbal, regarding patterns of sexual relations. The symbol incarnates ethics in sex and is a mutual agreement. The patterning of a number of interactive symbols is in fact not only a communicative value but also a symbol that can stimulate sexual desire when one partner shows it. The forms of symbols that are discussed are signs of an invitation to have sex, a sign of agreeing or refusing, and expressions of sexual satisfaction.