KOMUNIKASI RITUAL “POU HARI” SEBAGAI UNGKAPAN RASA SYUKUR MASYARAKAT NELAYAN (Studi pada Masyarakat Nelayan Desa Alor Kecil Kabupaten Alor)

This research is motivated by the importance of understanding the practice of cultural communication in the Pou Hari ritual in Alor Kecil Village as part of preserving tradition and the social dynamics of the community amidst tourism development. The purpose of this research is to analyze how the cultural communication process occurs in the Pou Hari ritual and to uncover the symbolic meanings constructed and passed down through this practice. This research uses a qualitative approach with descriptive methods. Data were obtained through field observations, in-depth interviews with traditional leaders and local community members, and documentation. Data analysis techniques include data reduction, data presentation, and interpretive drawing of conclusions. The results indicate that the Pou Hari ritual is a symbolic communication system that combines verbal and nonverbal messages to convey the values, norms, and collective identity of the community. In addition to functioning as a medium for cultural preservation, this ritual also serves as a means of strengthening social solidarity and building cultural imagery in the context of local tourism. Thus, the Pou Hari ritual plays a strategic role in maintaining cultural existence amidst social change