RELIGIOUS-CULTURAL ACCULTURATION IN DECORATED BATHING OF MUSLIM TRADITION IN THE MALAY COMMUNITY, TALAWI DISTRICT, BATUBARA REGENCY

Abstract

The tradition of bathing with ornaments is one of the wedding customs of the Malay Muslim community in Talawi District, Batubara Regency, which is still maintained to this day. The continuity of this tradition indicates the interaction between Islamic values ​​and local culture that shape the community's social practices. This study aims to analyze the forms of religious and cultural acculturation, symbolic meanings, and social functions contained in the bathing with ornaments tradition. The study used a qualitative method with a field study approach through observation, interviews, and documentation, supported by literature review. The research analysis uses acculturation theory to understand the process of acceptance, adaptation, and preservation of local cultural elements in the lives of Muslim communities without losing their religious identity. The results show that the bathing with ornaments tradition functions as a rite of passage that marks the change in social status of the prospective bride and groom towards married life. This tradition also contains symbols that represent the values ​​of purity, responsibility, moral readiness, and hopes for the formation of a harmonious family. Although not part of the pillars or legal requirements of marriage in Islam, the community interprets this tradition as a means of strengthening religious values, preserving Malay cultural identity, and strengthening social solidarity. The research findings show that the relationship between religion and culture in the tradition of decorative bathing takes place through a harmonious acculturation process, so that local traditions remain sustainable without conflicting with the principles of Islamic teachings.

Keywords: Decorative bathing tradition; Ritual transition; Integration of religion and culture            

Tradisi mandi berhias merupakan salah satu adat pernikahan masyarakat Muslim Melayu di Kecamatan Talawi, Kabupaten Batubara, yang masih dipertahankan hingga saat ini. Keberlangsungan tradisi tersebut menunjukkan adanya interaksi antara nilai-nilai Islam dan budaya lokal yang membentuk praktik sosial masyarakat. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis bentuk akulturasi agama dan budaya, makna simbolik, serta fungsi sosial yang terkandung dalam tradisi mandi berhias. Penelitian menggunakan metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan studi lapangan melalui observasi, wawancara, dan dokumentasi, yang didukung oleh studi pustaka. Analisis penelitian menggunakan teori akulturasi untuk memahami proses penerimaan, penyesuaian, dan pelestarian unsur budaya lokal dalam kehidupan masyarakat Muslim tanpa menghilangkan identitas keagamaannya. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tradisi mandi berhias berfungsi sebagai ritus peralihan yang menandai perubahan status sosial calon pengantin menuju kehidupan berumah tangga. Tradisi ini juga mengandung simbol-simbol yang merepresentasikan nilai kesucian, tanggung jawab, kesiapan moral, dan harapan terhadap terbentuknya keluarga yang harmonis. Meskipun bukan bagian dari rukun maupun syarat sah pernikahan dalam Islam, masyarakat memaknai tradisi ini sebagai sarana penguatan nilai-nilai religius, pelestarian identitas budaya Melayu, dan penguatan solidaritas sosial. Temuan penelitian menunjukkan bahwa hubungan antara agama dan budaya dalam tradisi mandi berhias berlangsung melalui proses akulturasi yang harmonis, sehingga tradisi lokal tetap lestari tanpa bertentangan dengan prinsip-prinsip ajaran Islam.

Kata kunci: Tradisi Mandi Berhias; Ritus Peralihan; Integrasi Agama dan Budaya.