RITUS RUWAT: ESENSIALISME BARU DALAM POLITIK KEBUDAYAAN INDONESIA
ABSTRACT: Ruwat is one of the
ceremonies in Javanese tradition, which is conducted in accordance to the
culture’s cosmology. In Javanese cosmology, changes or transfers are considered
as dangerous, and therefore a ceremony is performed to liberate the individual
from such dangers. As a ritual, Ruwat is always conducted every 1st Suro
according to the Javanese calendar or 1st Muharram according to the Islamic
calendar.
In its development, cultural agents have brought Ruwat outside its
original scope. Ruwat is no longer practiced within Javanese circles only but
also within public circles and attracts tourism and commodities. In addition,
Ruwat is also practiced at a national scope, especially in ceremonies blessing
the work of political leaders. Ruwat, which was given and practiced within
Javanese private sphere has transformed to the public sphere. It is now
practiced even within the scope of the nation state, which is not given but
constructed. This article explains the dynamics of shift from private to
public; and from sacral to profane purposes practiced in the scope of the
nation state.
Penulis: Ninuk
Kleden-Probonegoro
Kode Jurnal: jpantropologidd080025
