The Changing of Meaning in TepukTepungTawar Tradition for Melayu Riau Society.

TepukTepungTawar is kind of ritual which is always held in Melayu society general especially SelatPanjang,due to the growth of the time and globalization changes have occurred in procession and literal sense at Melayu society SelatPanjang,Riau. The purpose of the research is to find the literal sense ofTepukTepungTawar tradition for Melayu Riau community and the changes occurred in the procession of TepukTepungTawar at Melayu Riau community. Finding data was done by interviewingobserving, and documentation studying from April 20th to July 22nd 2010. The research uses qualitative approach. The research informants are Riau community leader,community who hold TepukTepungTtawar. The secondary data was taken from regency office. The determination of informant was done purposely. To warrant the data validity triangulation technique was used, and data analyzing technique used is qualitative data analysis started from reducing data, presenting data, and making inference. The result of the research show that : (1) The literal sense of TepukTepungTawar in the community of MelayuSelatPanjang is the expression of gratitude the God. Besides, TepukTepungTawar also has literal sense as to avoid ourselves and family from the evil,to have fun and to be free from illnesses. (2) Due to the growth of the time, changes of literal sense and procession of TepukTepungTawar have occurred. TepukTepungTawar held by the community of MelayuSelatPanjang is not as sacredand is not tied. In addition,some processions have changed,and unavailable instruments can be replaced by other instruments.