SYMBOLISM AND RITUAL MEANING IN THE SAPARAN TRADITION AT THE TOMB OF KI AGENG WONOLELO, YOGYAKARTA
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Abstract
This article is a study about Saparan tradition, a form of cultural and religious practice that is held annually at the Tomb of Ki Ageng Wonolelo in Widodomartani, Ngemplak, Sleman, Yogyakarta. The Saparan tradition is understood not only a cultural activity, but also as a space for expressing religious values, paying homage to ancestors, and preserving the community's cultural identity. As this tradition illustrates how local cultural elements and religious teachings can coexist and be maintained by the community as part of their collective identity, this research therefore focuses on the symbolism and meaning embedded in the series of Saparan rituals. By utilizing Geertz’s theory of culture as system of meaning this study has shown that the various symbols present in the Saparan ritual series form a network of meaning (web of significance) that provides an understanding of human relationships with God, ancestors and fellow humans. These symbols are not only understood as physical objects or actions, but as representations of life values that are shared by society. What is more, the Saparan tradition functions as a model of reality because it reflects the Wonolelo people's view of life regarding the importance of religiosity, respect for ancestral services, and social harmony. On the other hand, this tradition also functions as a model for reality because it serves as a guide in shaping people's social behavior through the values of gratitude, mutual cooperation, solidarity, harmony, and respect for history and cultural heritage.
Keywords: Symbolism and Ritual Meaning, Sapaparan Tradition, Tomb of Ki Ageng Wonolelo
Artikel ini mengkaji tradisi Saparan, sebuah praktik budaya dan keagamaan yang diselenggarakan setiap tahun di Makam Ki Ageng Wonolelo di Widodomartani, Ngemplak, Sleman, Yogyakarta. Tradisi Saparan dipahami bukan sekadar sebagai kegiatan budaya, melainkan juga sebagai ruang untuk mengekspresikan nilai-nilai keagamaan, memberikan penghormatan kepada leluhur, serta melestarikan identitas budaya masyarakat setempat. Mengingat tradisi ini menggambarkan bagaimana unsur budaya lokal dan ajaran agama dapat hidup berdampingan dan terus dijaga oleh masyarakat sebagai bagian dari identitas kolektif mereka, penelitian ini berfokus pada simbolisme dan makna yang terkandung dalam rangkaian ritual Saparan. Dengan menggunakan teori budaya sebagai sistem makna dari Geertz, penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa berbagai simbol yang hadir dalam rangkaian ritual Saparan membentuk suatu jaringan makna (*web of significance*) yang memberikan pemahaman mengenai hubungan manusia dengan Tuhan, leluhur, dan sesama manusia. Simbol-simbol tersebut tidak hanya dipahami sebagai objek fisik atau tindakan semata, melainkan sebagai representasi nilai-nilai kehidupan yang dianut bersama oleh masyarakat. Lebih jauh lagi, tradisi Saparan berfungsi sebagai model realitas karena mencerminkan pandangan hidup masyarakat Wonolelo mengenai pentingnya religiusitas, penghormatan terhadap jasa leluhur, dan harmoni sosial. Di sisi lain, tradisi ini juga berfungsi sebagai model untuk realitas karena berperan sebagai pedoman dalam membentuk perilaku sosial masyarakat melalui nilai-nilai rasa syukur, gotong royong, solidaritas, kerukunan, serta penghormatan terhadap sejarah dan warisan budaya.
Kata kunci: Simbolisme dan Makna Ritual, Tradisi Saparan, Makam Ki Ageng Wonolelo
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